Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 comes in at 18,3 feet, making it roughly 7,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 has the edge at 242 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 tops out at 135 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 passengers can the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 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 Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 are built by Chaparral. 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

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012

2012

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 255 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 255 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 measures 26,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,7 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 SSi 255 2009 tips the scales at 554 lbs — 312 lbs less than the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 at 242 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 425 hp, the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has a 290-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 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. 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 SSi 255 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 at 26,0 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

Model18 Ski & Fish

ModelSSi 255

Model Year2012

Model Year2009

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 - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2,420 lbs. (1,098 kg)

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg1097.69

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.242

Weight - lbs.554

Length - Feet18.33

Length - Feet26

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 - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max135 hp (101 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,060 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 comes in at 18,3 feet, making it roughly 7,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 has the edge at 242 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 tops out at 135 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 passengers can the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 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 Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 are built by Chaparral. 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.

← Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 255 2009 full specs

Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Common Questions

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Common Questions