Four Winns V265 2011 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns V265 2011 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 V265 2011 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,5 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 V265 2011 tops out at 320 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 V265 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 1 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 V265 2011. 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 V265 2011 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Four Winns V265 2011. That 78-gallon difference translates to roughly 234–390 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Four Winns V265 2011 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns V265 2011 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 V265 2011 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006

Four Winns

Four Winns V265 2011

2011

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Four Winns

Four Winns Vista 278 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Four Winns V265 2011 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Four Winns V265 2011 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 55-hp advantage over the Four Winns V265 2011's 320-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 7 gallons in the Four Winns V265 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 Vista 278 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Four Winns V265 2011 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 Vista 278 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Four Winns Vista 278 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Four Winns V265 2011 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

Makenot available

ModelV265

Modelnot available

Model Year2011

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.55 m)

Beam8.70 ft

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.65

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches104

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.11

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches83

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise17℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (48 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail6,250 - 6,270 lbs. (2,830 - 2,840 kg) with engine

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2844.02

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.627

Weight - lbs.not available

Height - Detail8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.57

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches101

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28.5

Length overall - Detail26 ft. (7.92 m)

Length overall - Detail28.50 ft

Length overall - Meters7.92

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches312

Length overall - Inches342

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeVolvo

Engine modelPenta 5.7 GiC/DP

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters321.76

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal85

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower300 hp

Horsepower375 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Headroom5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)

Headroomnot available

Water capacityPotable: 16 gal. (60 l)

Water capacity25

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail16 gal. (60 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters60.57

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Gal16

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Cabinsnot available

Cabins2

Headnot available

Head1

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Trailer Info

Trailer - Height10 ft. (3.05 m)

Trailer - Heightnot available

Trailer - Weight1,667 lbs. (756 kg)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Four Winns V265 2011 vs Four Winns Vista 278 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Four Winns V265 2011 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 V265 2011 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,5 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 V265 2011 tops out at 320 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 V265 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 1 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 V265 2011. 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 V265 2011 or the Four Winns Vista 278 2006?

The Four Winns Vista 278 2006 has the bigger tank at 85 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Four Winns V265 2011. That 78-gallon difference translates to roughly 234–390 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Four Winns V265 2011 and Four Winns Vista 278 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Four Winns V265 2011 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 V265 2011 full specs ← Four Winns Vista 278 2006 full specs