Four Winns H180 2011 vs Four Winns V288 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H180 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

The Four Winns H180 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,3 feet overall. The Four Winns V288 2009 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 14,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H180 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns H180 2011 has the edge at 24 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns V288 2009. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns V288 2009 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns H180 2011 tops out at 135 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 H180 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns V288 2009 is certified for 1. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Four Winns H180 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 4 lbs per hp for the Four Winns V288 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

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

The Four Winns V288 2009 measures 116" wide, compared to 9" for the Four Winns H180 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 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

The Four Winns H180 2011 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns V288 2009. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns H180 2011 and Four Winns V288 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H180 2011 and the Four Winns V288 2009 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 2011 vs Four Winns V288 2009

Four Winns

Four Winns H180 2011

2011

View full specs →

Four Winns

Four Winns V288 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns H180 2011 vs Four Winns V288 2009 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Four Winns H180 2011 and the Four Winns V288 2009 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns H180 2011 measures 17,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns V288 2009 at 3,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns V288 2009 tips the scales at 1 019 lbs — 995 lbs less than the Four Winns H180 2011 at 24 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 270 hp, the Four Winns V288 2009 has a 135-hp advantage over the Four Winns H180 2011's 135-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 H180 2011 carries 24 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Four Winns V288 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 H180 2011 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns V288 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns H180 2011 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Four Winns H180 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 4 lbs per hp for the Four Winns V288 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns H180 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 17,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns V288 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

ModelH18

ModelV288

Model Year2011

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches116

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m) excludes electronics

Bridge clearance - Meters1.12

Bridge clearance - Meters2.84

Bridge clearance - Inches44

Bridge clearance - Inches112

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (68 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail9,510 - 10,190 lbs. (4,310 - 4,600 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1088.62

Weight - kg4622.1

Weight - lbs.24

Weight - lbs.1019

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

Height - DetailWith Arch: 11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m) excludes electronics

Height - Meters1.4

Height - Meters3.4

Height - Inches55

Height - Inches134

Length - Feet17.33

Length - Feet3

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. 4 in. (5.28 m)

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Meters9.14

Length overall - Inches208

Length overall - Inches36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.14

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser

Engine makenot available

Engine model3.0 MPIC Alpha

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal. (91 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal12

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepower270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.0 GXi/SX

Engine maxnot available

Engine maxTwin 270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,150 lbs. (522 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people7

Maximum people1

Headroomnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 6 ft. 3 in. (1.91 m)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 27 gal. (102 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters94.64

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal25

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Heightnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight894 lbs. (406 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns H180 2011 vs Four Winns V288 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H180 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

The Four Winns H180 2011 is the longer of the two at 17,3 feet overall. The Four Winns V288 2009 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 14,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H180 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns H180 2011 has the edge at 24 lbs dry weight versus 1 019 lbs for the Four Winns V288 2009. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns V288 2009 is rated to a maximum of 270 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns H180 2011 tops out at 135 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 H180 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Four Winns V288 2009 is certified for 1. 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 has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Four Winns H180 2011 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 4 lbs per hp for the Four Winns V288 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns V288 2009 measures 116" wide, compared to 9" for the Four Winns H180 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 2011 or the Four Winns V288 2009?

The Four Winns H180 2011 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Four Winns V288 2009. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns H180 2011 and Four Winns V288 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H180 2011 and the Four Winns V288 2009 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 2011 full specs ← Four Winns V288 2009 full specs