Four Winns H4 OB 2023 vs Four Winns V278 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 comes in at 23,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns V278 2009 has the edge at 736 lbs dry weight versus 4 200 lbs for the Four Winns H4 OB 2023. 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 H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 is Coast Guard rated for 7 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 and Four Winns V278 2009 share an 8.50 ft 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 H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023. 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 H4 OB 2023 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 vs Four Winns V278 2009

Four Winns

Four Winns H4 OB 2023

2023

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Four Winns

Four Winns V278 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns H4 OB 2023 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns H4 OB 2023 vs Four Winns V278 2009 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Four Winns V278 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 at 23,1 feet (2023). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 tips the scales at 4 200 lbs — 3 464 lbs more than the Four Winns V278 2009 at 736 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 H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023. 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 H4 OB 2023 is rated for 7 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 H4 OB 2023 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,1 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.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail23.11 ft

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

Length - Feet23.11

Length - Feet28

Length overall - Meters7.04

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches277

Length overall - Inches34

Beam8.50 ft

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail3.50 ft

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

Draft [max] - Meters1.07

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches42

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft Min1.80 ft

Draft Minnot available

Displacement4200.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

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

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise17℃

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Weight - Detailnot available

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

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg3338.44

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.736

Height - Detailnot available

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

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches105

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal52

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters196.84

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

TrailerableYes

Trailerablenot available

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people1

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

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeFour Winns

Modelnot available

ModelV278

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2009

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Heightnot available

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

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Four Winns H4 OB 2023 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 comes in at 23,1 feet, making it roughly 4,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns V278 2009 has the edge at 736 lbs dry weight versus 4 200 lbs for the Four Winns H4 OB 2023. 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 H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 is Coast Guard rated for 7 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 and Four Winns V278 2009 share an 8.50 ft 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 H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023. 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 H4 OB 2023 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns H4 OB 2023 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 H4 OB 2023 full specs ← Four Winns V278 2009 full specs