Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
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