Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 SSX 236 2010 measures 24,7 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,3 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 18 Ski & Fish 2013 tips the scales at 242 lbs — 198 lbs more than the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 at 44 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 400 hp, the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 has a 180-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 SSX 236 2010 carries 55 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 18 Ski & Fish 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model18 Ski & Fish
ModelSSX 236
Model Year2013
Model Year201
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 Radar Arch: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m) Without Radar Arch: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.24
Bridge clearance - Meters2.26
Bridge clearance - Inches88
Bridge clearance - Inches89
Deadrise18°
Deadrise20°
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [drive up] inches23
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 - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg1097.69
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.242
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Feet18.33
Length - Feet24.67
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]24 ft. 8 in. (7.34 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 - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max220 hp (164 kW)
Engine max400 hp (298 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,160 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8
Maximum people12 or 1,605 lbs
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal (14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8