Four Winns H203 2008 vs Four Winns H230 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

The Four Winns H230 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,3 feet overall. The Four Winns H203 2008 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns H203 2008 has the edge at 315 lbs dry weight versus 438 lbs for the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns H230 2012 is certified for 11. 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 H203 2008 and Four Winns H230 2012 share an 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 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 H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

The Four Winns H230 2012 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Four Winns H203 2008. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns H203 2008 and Four Winns H230 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H203 2008 and the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 vs Four Winns H230 2012

Four Winns

Four Winns H203 2008

2008

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Four Winns

Four Winns H230 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns H203 2008 vs Four Winns H230 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Four Winns H203 2008 against a deep vee Four Winns H230 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 H230 2012 measures 23,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H203 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns H230 2012 tips the scales at 438 lbs — 123 lbs less than the Four Winns H203 2008 at 315 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 H203 2008 carries a rated maximum of 270 hp. Engine data for the Four Winns H230 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 H230 2012 carries 52 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Four Winns H203 2008. 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 H230 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns H203 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns H230 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns H230 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 23,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns H203 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

ModelH203

ModelH23

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)

Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Inches101

Bridge clearance - Detail3 ft. 9 in. (1.14 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.14

Bridge clearance - Meters1.35

Bridge clearance - Inches45

Bridge clearance - Inches53

Deadrise19"

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. (38 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches15

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (82 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 3,000 - 3,150 lbs. (1,360 - 1,430 kg)

Weight - Detail4,380 lbs. (1,990 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1428.81

Weight - kg1986.73

Weight - lbs.315

Weight - lbs.438

Height - Detail4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

Height - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Height - Meters1.5

Height - Meters1.68

Height - Inches59

Height - Inches66

Length - Meters5.95

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Feet23.33

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 2 in. (6.45 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.95 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Meters7.11

Length overall - Inches234

Length overall - Inches28

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 4.3 GL/SX 190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (197 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum people9

Maximum people11

Trailer Info

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

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

Trailer - WeightSingle Axle: 1,029 lbs. (464 kg) Tandem Axle: 1,216 lbs. (552 kg)

Trailer - Weight1,505 lbs. (683 kg)

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Height7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m) wakeboard tower up

Four Winns H203 2008 vs Four Winns H230 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

The Four Winns H230 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,3 feet overall. The Four Winns H203 2008 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 4,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

For trailering, the Four Winns H203 2008 has the edge at 315 lbs dry weight versus 438 lbs for the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns H230 2012 is certified for 11. 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 H203 2008 and Four Winns H230 2012 share an 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 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 H203 2008 or the Four Winns H230 2012?

The Four Winns H230 2012 has the bigger tank at 52 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Four Winns H203 2008. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns H203 2008 and Four Winns H230 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H203 2008 and the Four Winns H230 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 H203 2008 full specs ← Four Winns H230 2012 full specs