Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005
2005
View full specs →
VS
Four Winns V248 2008 boat specs
Four Winns
Four Winns V248 2008
2008
View full specs →

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns V248 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns V248 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns V248 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 at 3,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 tips the scales at 714 lbs — 110 lbs more than the Four Winns V248 2008 at 604 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Four Winns V248 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 carries 13 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Four Winns V248 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Four Winns V248 2008 at 23,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 at 3,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeFour Winns
MakeFour Winns
Model280 Horizon
ModelV248
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.84
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches112
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.52
Bridge clearance - Meters2.06
Bridge clearance - Inches6
Bridge clearance - Inches81
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail6,240 - 7,140 lbs. (2,830 - 3,239 kg)
Weight - DetailWith Engine: 5,990 - 6,040 lbs. (2,720 - 2,740 kg)
Weight - kg3238.65
Weight - kg2739.7
Weight - lbs.714
Weight - lbs.604
Length - Feet3
Length - Feet23
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 2 in. (7.98 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (48 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches19
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.57
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches101
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.27
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 10 in. (7.27 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters7.26
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches286
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.0 GXi/DP 270 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine max320 hp
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Potti
Headnot available
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacityPotable: 20 gal. (76 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail9 gal. (34 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07
Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57
Holding tank capacity - Gal9
Holding tank capacity - Gal16
Headroomnot available
HeadroomMaximum: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity6 gal
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,350 lbs. (1,066 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people1
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailSee Standard Features
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - Weightnot available
Trailer - Weight1,667 lbs. (756 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 vs Four Winns V248 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns V248 2008?
The Four Winns V248 2008 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 20,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns V248 2008?
For trailering, the Four Winns V248 2008 has the edge at 604 lbs dry weight versus 714 lbs for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Four Winns V248 2008 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many passengers can the Four Winns V248 2008 carry?
The Four Winns V248 2008 has an official capacity rating of 1 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns V248 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 or the Four Winns V248 2008?
The Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Four Winns V248 2008. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and Four Winns V248 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Four Winns 280 Horizon 2005 and the Four Winns V248 2008 are built by Four Winns. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.