Both the Four Winns SL262 2010 and the Four Winns V258 2009 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 SL262 2010 at 26,5 ft versus Four Winns V258 2009 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Four Winns V258 2009 tips the scales at 6 270 lbs - 680 lbs less than the Four Winns SL262 2010 at 5 590 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 - 320 hp for the Four Winns SL262 2010 and 320 hp for the Four Winns V258 2009. 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 2010 carries 75 gallons versus 70 gallons in the Four Winns V258 2009. 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 2010 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Four Winns V258 2009 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Four Winns SL262 2010 could be the deciding factor.