Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns V278 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021. That 30-gallon difference translates to roughly 90–150 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns V278 2009

Four Winns

Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021

2021

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Four Winns

Four Winns V278 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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.

The Four Winns V278 2009 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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 55 gallons in the Four Winns HD5 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,4 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 - Detail24.40 ft

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

Length - Feet24.4

Length - Feet28

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches293

Length overall - Inches34

Beam8.50 ft

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft Min1.50 ft

Draft Minnot 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 - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model200XL FS DTS

Engine modelnot available

Fuel typeGas

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity12

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

Boat typePower

Boat typenot available

Headroomnot available

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

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 HD5 OB RS 2021 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021. That 30-gallon difference translates to roughly 90–150 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns HD5 OB RS 2021 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 HD5 OB RS 2021 full specs ← Four Winns V278 2009 full specs