The Four Winns H180 2009 is a modified-V design and the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Horizon 260 2012 measures 26,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H180 2009 at 17,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 tips the scales at 5 100 lbs - 2 860 lbs less than the Four Winns H180 2009 at 2 240 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 380 hp, the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 has a 190-hp advantage over the Four Winns H180 2009's 190-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 Horizon 260 2012 carries 70 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Four Winns H180 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 Horizon 260 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Four Winns H180 2009 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 Horizon 260 2012 could be the deciding factor.