Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 7 280 lbs dry weight versus 10 650 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004. 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 298 Vista 2004 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 298 Vista 2004 measures 126" 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 has the bigger tank at 140 gallons, versus 130 gallons on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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 298 Vista 2004

Four Winns

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004

2004

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Four Winns

Four Winns 298 Vista 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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 298 Vista 2004 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

Model298 Vista

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in.

Beam10 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters3.2

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches126

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in.

Draft [max] - Detail39 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail6,380-7,280 lbs.

Weight - Detail10,370-10,650 lbs.

Weight - kg3302.15

Weight - kg4830.75

Weight - lbs.7280

Weight - lbs.10650

Height [transom]5 ft. 6 in.

Height [transom]9 ft. 2 in. w/arch

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

Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (with Swim Platform)

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters9.45

Length overall - Inches370

Length overall - Inches372

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail140 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters529.96

Fuel tank capacity - Gal130

Fuel tank capacity - Gal140

Operational Info

Water capacity20 gal.

Water capacity30 gal.

Maximum capacityYacht

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 vs Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 has the edge at 7 280 lbs dry weight versus 10 650 lbs for the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004. 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 298 Vista 2004 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 298 Vista 2004 measures 126" 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 or the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004?

The Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 has the bigger tank at 140 gallons, versus 130 gallons on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2004 and the Four Winns 298 Vista 2004 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 298 Vista 2004 full specs