Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 728 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 measures 116" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004. 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.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 12 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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.

Boat Comparison

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007

Four Winns

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns 288 Vista 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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.

Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Model285 Sundowner

Model288 Vista

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in

Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches116

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail6,380-7,280 lbs

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 9,510-10,190 lbs. (4,310-4,600 kg)

Weight - kg3302.15

Weight - kg4622.1

Weight - lbs.728

Weight - lbs.1019

Height [transom]5 ft. 6 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 10 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 0 in. (9.15 m)

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters9.14

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches36

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (68 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.15

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet3

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardTwin 5.0 GXi/SX 270 hp Volvo Penta

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacityYacht

Maximum capacitynot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 728 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 measures 116" wide, compared to 112" for the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 13 gallons and 12 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 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.

← Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 full specs ← Four Winns 288 Vista 2007 full specs