Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 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 Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 measures 28,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 9,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 at 18,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 745 lbs — 503 lbs less than the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 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 Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 has a 205-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 Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 carries 87 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 Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Chaparral Signature 270 Cruiser 2008 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 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
ModelSignature 270 Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
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 - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m) 7 ft. 4 in. (2.23 m) with arch tower
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m) Without Arch: 7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.24
Bridge clearance - Meters2.97
Bridge clearance - Inches88
Bridge clearance - Inches117
Deadrise18°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail31 in. (79 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail2,420 lbs. (1,098 kg)
Weight - Detail7,450 lbs. (3,379 kg)
Weight - kg1097.69
Weight - kg3379.26
Weight - lbs.242
Weight - lbs.745
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 - Meters8.81
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 11 in. (8.81 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified 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 - Detail87 gal. (329 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters329.33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal87
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max220 hp (164 kW)
Engine max425 hp (317 kW)
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMercruiser 5.7 350 MAG MPi Bravo 3 drive 300 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,160 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28