Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns SL242 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

The Four Winns SL242 2013 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns F204 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 3,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

For trailering, the Four Winns F204 2009 has the edge at 382 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2013. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns F204 2009 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2013 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns F204 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2013 is certified for 12. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns SL242 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

The Four Winns SL242 2013 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns F204 2009. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns SL242 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns F204 2009 and the Four Winns SL242 2013 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 F204 2009 vs Four Winns SL242 2013

Four Winns

Four Winns F204 2009

2009

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns SL242 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Four Winns F204 2009 against a deep vee Four Winns SL242 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns SL242 2013 measures 24,4 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns F204 2009 at 21,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL242 2013 tips the scales at 508 lbs — 126 lbs less than the Four Winns F204 2009 at 382 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 F204 2009 carries a rated maximum of 270 hp. Engine data for the Four Winns SL242 2013 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns SL242 2013 carries 58 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Four Winns F204 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Four Winns SL242 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns F204 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL242 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns F204 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

ModelF204

ModelSL242

Model Year2009

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Windshield: 4 ft. 2 in. (1.27 m) With Wind Deflector: 3 ft. 7 in. (1.09 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Meters1.27

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Inches5

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail3,650 - 3,800 lbs. (1,660 - 1,720 kg) with engine

Weight - Detail4,870 - 5,080 lbs. (2,210 - 2,300 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1732.72

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.382

Weight - lbs.508

Height - DetailWith Windshield: 5 ft. 11 in. (1.8 m) With Wind Deflector: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Height - Meters1.8

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inches71

Height - Inches76

Length - Meters6.45

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet24.42

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches254

Length overall - Inches293

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.0 GL/SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max270 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Operational Info

Water capacityPotable: 12 gal. (45 l)

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771 kg)

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Maximum people11

Maximum people12

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched, tandem axle with tandem brakes

Trailer - DetailColor-matched, tandem axle with tandem disc brakes

Trailer - HeightWakeboard Tower Down: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) With Wakeboard Tower Up: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m) With Windshield: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) With Wind Deflector: 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m)

Trailer - Height7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - Weight1,277 lbs. (579 kg)

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns SL242 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

The Four Winns SL242 2013 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns F204 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 3,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

For trailering, the Four Winns F204 2009 has the edge at 382 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 2013. 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 F204 2009 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2013 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns F204 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2013 is certified for 12. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns SL242 2013 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns SL242 2013?

The Four Winns SL242 2013 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns F204 2009. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns SL242 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns F204 2009 and the Four Winns SL242 2013 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 F204 2009 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2013 full specs