Four Winns H230 SS 2013 vs Four Winns V278 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H230 SS 2013 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V278 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 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 H230 SS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns V278 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Four Winns H230 SS 2013. 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 H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Four Winns H230 SS 2013. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 and the Four Winns V278 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 H230 SS 2013 vs Four Winns V278 2009

Four Winns

Four Winns H230 SS 2013

2013

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Four Winns

Four Winns V278 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns H230 SS 2013 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Four Winns H230 SS 2013 against a modified vee Four Winns V278 2009 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 V278 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 at 23,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns V278 2009 tips the scales at 736 lbs — 692 lbs less than the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 at 44 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 V278 2009 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns V278 2009 carries 85 gallons versus 52 gallons in the Four Winns H230 SS 2013. 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 SS 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 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 H230 SS 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 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 V278 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

ModelH230 SS

ModelV278

Model Year2013

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 5 in. (2.55 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches101

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. (1.22 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (83 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,370 - 4,400 lbs. (1,980 - 2,000 kg) with engine

Weight - Detail6,910 - 7,360 lbs. (3,130 - 3,340 kg) with engine

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg3338.44

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.736

Height - Detail5 ft. 1 in. (1.55 m)

Height - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Height - Meters1.55

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inches61

Height - Inches105

Length - Feet23.33

Length - Feet28

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

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Meters7.11

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches28

Length overall - Inches34

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail52 gal. (197 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum people1

Headroomnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityPotable: 21 gal. (79 l) Gray: 17 gal. (65 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Water heater capacity6 gal

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailCustom-matched, tandem axle with tandem disc brakes

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Height6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m) 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - HeightWith Arch: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight1,505 lbs. (683 kg)

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Four Winns H230 SS 2013 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns H230 SS 2013 comes in at 23,3 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V278 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 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 H230 SS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Four Winns V278 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Four Winns H230 SS 2013. 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 H230 SS 2013 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 52 gallons on the Four Winns H230 SS 2013. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H230 SS 2013 and the Four Winns V278 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 H230 SS 2013 full specs ← Four Winns V278 2009 full specs