Four Winns S215 2008 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns S215 2008 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 S215 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 5,5 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 S215 2008 tops out at 300 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 S215 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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 97" for the Four Winns S215 2008. 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 S215 2008 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Four Winns S215 2008. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns S215 2008 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns S215 2008 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 S215 2008 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006

Four Winns

Four Winns S215 2008

2008

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Four Winns

Four Winns Vista 278 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns S215 2008 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns S215 2008 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 75-hp advantage over the Four Winns S215 2008's 300-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 35 gallons in the Four Winns S215 2008. 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 S215 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns S215 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns S215 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

Makenot available

ModelS215

Modelnot available

Model Year2008

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)

Beam8.70 ft

Beam - Meters2.46

Beam - Meters2.65

Beam - Inches97

Beam - Inches104

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise19℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - DetailWith Engine: 3,720 - 3,820 lbs. (1,690 - 1,730 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1732.72

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.382

Weight - lbs.not available

Height - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.83

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches72

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters7.01

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet28.5

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Detail28.50 ft

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches276

Length overall - Inches342

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.0 GL/SX 220 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityPotable: 12 gal. (45 l)

Water capacity25

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Cabinsnot available

Cabins2

Headnot available

Head1

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailSure-Load? custom-matched, tandem axle with tandem brakes

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Weight1,103 lbs. (500 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns S215 2008 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns S215 2008 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 S215 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 5,5 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 S215 2008 tops out at 300 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 S215 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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 97" for the Four Winns S215 2008. 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 S215 2008 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Four Winns S215 2008. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns S215 2008 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns S215 2008 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 S215 2008 full specs ← Four Winns Vista 278 2006 full specs