Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 or the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 or the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 has the edge at 242 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 tops out at 220 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 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 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 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 measures 9" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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: Are the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 and Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 and the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 300 hp, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has a 80-hp advantage over the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013's 220-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 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carries 57 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and its 300-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 with its 220-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model18 Ski & Fish

Model216 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches1

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m) 7 ft. 4 in. (2.23 m) with arch tower

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.24

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches88

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18°

Deadrise16℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detail4,112 lbs. (1,865 kg)

Weight - kg1097.69

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - lbs.242

Weight - lbs.4112

Length - Feet18.33

Length - Feetnot available

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 [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 7.25 in. (6.89 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep 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 - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max220 hp (164 kW)

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,160 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Compartment

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 or the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 has the edge at 242 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 tops out at 220 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 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 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 18 Ski & Fish 2013 measures 9" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 2013 or the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 and Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 and the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs

Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Chaparral 18 Ski &#38; Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Common Questions

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Common Questions