Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns V278 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL242 2012 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL242 2012 has the edge at 508 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V278 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2009 is certified for 1. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns SL242 2012 and Four Winns V278 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 58 gallons on the Four Winns SL242 2012. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns SL242 2012 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns SL242 2012 and the Four Winns V278 2009 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 SL242 2012 vs Four Winns V278 2009

Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2012

2012

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Four Winns

Four Winns V278 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Four Winns SL242 2012 against a modified vee Four Winns V278 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 V278 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Four Winns SL242 2012 at 24,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns V278 2009 tips the scales at 736 lbs — 228 lbs less than the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 V278 2009 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Four Winns SL242 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Four Winns V278 2009 carries 85 gallons versus 58 gallons in the Four Winns SL242 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 SL242 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL242 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns SL242 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns V278 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeFour Winns

ModelSL242

ModelV278

Model Year2012

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Meters2.13

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Bridge clearance - Inches84

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,870 - 5,080 lbs. (2,210 - 2,300 kg) with engine

Weight - Detail6,910 - 7,360 lbs. (3,130 - 3,340 kg) with engine

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - kg3338.44

Weight - lbs.508

Weight - lbs.736

Height - Detail6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Height - Detail8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Meters2.67

Height - Inches76

Height - Inches105

Length - Feet24.42

Length - Feet28

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 5 in. (7.44 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 m)

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Meters8.64

Length overall - Inches293

Length overall - Inches34

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.64

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail85 gal. (321 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi/DP

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacityPotable: 21 gal. (79 l) Gray: 17 gal. (65 l)

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum people1

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6

Holding tank capacity - Gal21

Headroomnot available

HeadroomMaximum: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m)

Water heater capacitynot available

Water heater capacity6 gal

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Height7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) wakeboard tower down 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m) wakeboard tower up

Trailer - HeightWith Arch: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Trailer - Weight2,056 lbs. (933 kg)

Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns V278 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Four Winns SL242 2012 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

For trailering, the Four Winns SL242 2012 has the edge at 508 lbs dry weight versus 736 lbs for the Four Winns V278 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Four Winns SL242 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Four Winns SL242 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Four Winns V278 2009 is certified for 1. 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Four Winns SL242 2012 and Four Winns V278 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Four Winns SL242 2012 or the Four Winns V278 2009?

The Four Winns V278 2009 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 58 gallons on the Four Winns SL242 2012. That 27-gallon difference translates to roughly 81–135 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns SL242 2012 and Four Winns V278 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns SL242 2012 and the Four Winns V278 2009 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 SL242 2012 full specs ← Four Winns V278 2009 full specs