The Four Winns Horizon 290 OB 2023 vs Four Winns SL242 2011 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 Horizon 290 OB 2023 measures 30,1 feet overall (2023), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns SL242 2011 at 24,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns Horizon 290 OB 2023 tips the scales at 8 600 lbs — 8 092 lbs more than the Four Winns SL242 2011 at 508 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 SL242 2011 tops out at 380 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns Horizon 290 OB 2023 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns SL242 2011 carries 58 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Four Winns Horizon 290 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 SL242 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns Horizon 290 OB 2023 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL242 2011 could be the deciding factor.