Matching a deep vee Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 against a modified vee Four Winns SL242 2008 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 at 26,0 ft versus Four Winns SL242 2008 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL242 2008 tips the scales at 508 lbs — 457 lbs less than the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 at 51 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 380 hp for the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 and 375 hp for the Four Winns SL242 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns SL242 2008 carries 58 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012. 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 Horizon 260 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 could be the deciding factor.