Matching a deep vee Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 against a modified vee Four Winns V378 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 V378 2009 measures 37,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 11,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 at 26,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns V378 2009 tips the scales at 208 lbs — 157 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 550 hp, the Four Winns V378 2009 has a 170-hp advantage over the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012's 380-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 Horizon 260 2012 carries 7 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Four Winns V378 2009. 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 V378 2009 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Four Winns Horizon 260 2012 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns V378 2009 could be the deciding factor.