Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns V285 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,3 feet overall. The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 25,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 has the edge at 728 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V285 2012. 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 passengers can the Four Winns V285 2012 carry?

The Four Winns V285 2012 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.

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

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns V285 2012. 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 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005. That 72-gallon difference translates to roughly 216–360 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns V285 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 and the Four Winns V285 2012 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 2005 vs Four Winns V285 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005

2005

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Four Winns

Four Winns V285 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns V285 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns V285 2012 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 V285 2012 measures 28,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 25,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 at 3,0 feet (2005). At 728 lbs and 736 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Bottom line: The Four Winns V285 2012 at 28,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 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

Model285 Sundowner

ModelV285

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches112

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.86 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail6,380 - 7,280 lbs. (2,894 - 3,302 kg)

Weight - Detail6,910 - 7,360 lbs. (3,130 - 3,340 kg) with engine

Weight - kg3302.15

Weight - kg3338.44

Weight - lbs.728

Weight - lbs.736

Length - Meters9.4

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet3

Length - Feet28.33

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches105

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches34

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadPorta-Potti

Headnot available

Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)

Water capacityPotable: 21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail9 gal. (34 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l) Gray: 17 gal. (65 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters34.07

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Gal9

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. (1.83 m)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height10 ft. 9 in. (3.28 m) 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) with arch

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 vs Four Winns V285 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,3 feet overall. The Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 25,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 has the edge at 728 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V285 2012. 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 passengers can the Four Winns V285 2012 carry?

The Four Winns V285 2012 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 285 Sundowner 2005 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns V285 2012. 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 2005 or the Four Winns V285 2012?

The Four Winns V285 2012 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 13 gallons on the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005. That 72-gallon difference translates to roughly 216–360 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 and Four Winns V285 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns 285 Sundowner 2005 and the Four Winns V285 2012 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 2005 full specs ← Four Winns V285 2012 full specs