Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Four Winns F204 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns F204 2009 tops out at 270 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns F204 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Vista 278 2006 measures 104" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns F204 2009. 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 F204 2009 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns F204 2009. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns F204 2009 and the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 Vista 278 2006

Four Winns

Four Winns F204 2009

2009

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Four Winns

Four Winns Vista 278 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has a 105-hp advantage over the Four Winns F204 2009's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 carries 85 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 F204 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns F204 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns F204 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Makenot available

ModelF204

Modelnot available

Model Year2009

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8.70 ft

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.65

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches104

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.27

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches5

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches3

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1732.72

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.382

Weight - lbs.not available

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

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.8

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches71

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters6.45

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet28.5

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail28.50 ft

Length overall - Meters6.45

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches254

Length overall - Inches342

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

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 - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower220 hp

Horsepower375 hp

Engine max270 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Operational Info

Water capacityPotable: 12 gal. (45 l)

Water capacity25

Maximum capacity1,700 lbs. (771 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum peoplenot available

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Cabinsnot available

Cabins2

Headnot available

Head1

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

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 - Heightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,277 lbs. (579 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns F204 2009 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns F204 2009 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Four Winns F204 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns F204 2009 tops out at 270 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns F204 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Vista 278 2006 measures 104" wide, compared to 102" for the Four Winns F204 2009. 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 F204 2009 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Four Winns F204 2009. That 80-gallon difference translates to roughly 240–400 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns F204 2009 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns F204 2009 and the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 Vista 278 2006 full specs