Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 SL242 2012 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

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

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 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 102" for the Four Winns SL242 2012. 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 SL242 2012 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 SL242 2012 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006

Four Winns

Four Winns SL242 2012

2012

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Four Winns

Four Winns Vista 278 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns SL242 2012 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 Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 Vista 278 2006 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 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 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 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

ModelSL242

Modelnot available

Model Year2012

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8.70 ft

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.65

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches104

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

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] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2304.25

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.508

Weight - lbs.not available

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

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.93

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches76

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet24.42

Length - Feet28.5

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

Length overall - Detail28.50 ft

Length overall - Meters7.44

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches293

Length overall - Inches342

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMerCruiser or Volvo

Engine makeVolvo

Fuel tank capacity - Detail58 gal. (220 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters219.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal58

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityPotable: 15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacity25

Maximum capacity2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

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 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 - Heightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,495 lbs. (678 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns SL242 2012 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 SL242 2012 comes in at 24,4 feet, making it roughly 4,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 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 102" for the Four Winns SL242 2012. 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 SL242 2012 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 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 Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns SL242 2012 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 SL242 2012 full specs ← Four Winns Vista 278 2006 full specs