Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 comes in at 18,6 feet, making it roughly 9,9 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 tops out at 90 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Vista 278 2006 measures 104" wide, compared to 101" for the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021. 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 and the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006

Four Winns

Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021

2021

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Four Winns

Four Winns Vista 278 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has a 285-hp advantage over the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021's 90-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 Vista 278 2006 carries 85 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021. 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 Vista 278 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 28,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail18.60 ft

Length overall - Detail28.50 ft

Length - Feet18.6

Length - Feet28.5

Length overall - Meters5.67

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches223

Length overall - Inches342

Beam8.40 ft

Beam8.70 ft

Beam - Meters2.56

Beam - Meters2.65

Beam - Inches101

Beam - Inches104

Draft [max] - Detail2.75 ft

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft Min1.33 ft

Draft Minnot available

Displacement2700.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Engine makeMercury

Engine makeVolvo

Engine model90 EXLPT CT 4S

Engine modelnot available

Horsepower90 hp

Horsepower375 hp

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

TrailerableYes

Trailerablenot available

Boat typePower

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Cabinsnot available

Cabins2

Headnot available

Head1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity25

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal20

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 comes in at 18,6 feet, making it roughly 9,9 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 tops out at 90 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is certified for 8. 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 Vista 278 2006 measures 104" wide, compared to 101" for the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021. 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021. That 53-gallon difference translates to roughly 159–265 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Four Winns HD1 OB RS 2021 and the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 HD1 OB RS 2021 full specs ← Four Winns Vista 278 2006 full specs