Four Winns H180 SS 2011 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 SS 2011 comes in at 17,4 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 has the edge at 248 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns H180 SS 2011 has a documented max rating of 190 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 H180 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2012 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Four Winns H180 SS 2011. 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 H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 SS 2011. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 and Four Winns SL242 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 and the Four Winns SL242 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 H180 SS 2011 vs Four Winns SL242 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns H180 SS 2011

2011

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Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns H180 SS 2011 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Four Winns H180 SS 2011 against a deep vee Four Winns SL242 2012 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 2012 measures 24,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 at 17,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL242 2012 tips the scales at 508 lbs — 260 lbs less than the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 at 248 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 H180 SS 2011 carries a rated maximum of 190 hp. Engine data for the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 2012 carries 58 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Four Winns H180 SS 2011. 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 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL242 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 H180 SS 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

ModelH180 SS

ModelSL242

Model Year2011

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 7 in. (2.34 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches91

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 8 in. (1.12 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters1.12

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Inches44

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (41 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail2,235 - 2,400 lbs. (1,010 - 1,090 kg) with engine

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

Weight - kg1124.91

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - lbs.248

Weight - lbs.508

Height - Detail4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m)

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

Height - Meters1.4

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Inches55

Height - Inches76

Length - Feet17.42

Length - Feet24.42

Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 2 in. (5.84 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 5 in. (5.33 m)

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

Length overall - Meters5.31

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Inches209

Length overall - Inches293

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeVolvo

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Engine modelPenta 4.3 GL/SX (requires SunSport seating)

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower190 hp

Horsepowernot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Maximum people7

Maximum people12

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

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, single axle with disc brakes

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

Trailer - Height6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) wakeboard tower down 9 ft. 9 in. (2.98 m) wakeboard tower up

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 - Length over all20 ft. 4 in. (6.2 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight894 lbs. (406 kg)

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Four Winns H180 SS 2011 vs Four Winns SL242 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,4 feet overall. The Four Winns H180 SS 2011 comes in at 17,4 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 has the edge at 248 lbs dry weight versus 508 lbs for the Four Winns SL242 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns H180 SS 2011 has a documented max rating of 190 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 H180 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2012 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 91" for the Four Winns H180 SS 2011. 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 H180 SS 2011 or the Four Winns SL242 2012?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 has the bigger tank at 58 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Four Winns H180 SS 2011. That 34-gallon difference translates to roughly 102–170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 and Four Winns SL242 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H180 SS 2011 and the Four Winns SL242 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 H180 SS 2011 full specs ← Four Winns SL242 2012 full specs