For the January 2008 issue of Boating Life Magazine, the SL262 was the subject of a case study on the boating industry's most unique hull designs. In particular, the writer focused on Four Winns' Stable-Vee Split Chine hull. "Most runabouts have chines (those big lips deep in the hull upon which the boat lifts) just not so big. Here's the kicker: The SL262 doesn't ride on them. They're out of the water when the boat's on plane."

The study goes on to explain "the actual running surface is the award-winning Stable-Vee hull that Four Winns introduced 15 years ago, and which many others have tried to mimic." The split chines allow wider interior space, especially in the bow.

So, the Four Winns Stable-Vee Split Chine hull provides a spacious interior and a running surface that "keeps the boat from banking in turns. It handles more like a sports car - with all four wheels firmly planted on the pavement."