Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 measures 28,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 9,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 at 18,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 tips the scales at 242 lbs — 189 lbs more than the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 53 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has a 240-hp advantage over the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 carries 25 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 at 18,3 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model18 Ski & Fish
Model274 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.22 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Deadrise18°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail2,420 lbs. (1,098 kg)
Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Weight - kg1097.69
Weight - kg2404.04
Weight - lbs.242
Weight - lbs.53
Length - Feet18.33
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.59 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.61
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model3.0L MPI (Catalyst) Alpha
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (95 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,060 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5