Both the Four Winns SL242 2011 and the Four Winns SL262 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Four Winns SL242 2011 at 24,4 ft versus Four Winns SL262 2011 at 26,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns SL262 2011 tips the scales at 5 590 lbs - 510 lbs less than the Four Winns SL242 2011 at 5 080 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 SL242 2011 and 380 hp for the Four Winns SL262 2011. 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 SL262 2011 carries 75 gallons versus 58 gallons in the Four Winns SL242 2011. 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 SL262 2011 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Four Winns SL242 2011 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 SL262 2011 could be the deciding factor.