Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 Sport 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Sport 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 Sport 2012 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 and the Chaparral 274 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 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 18 Sport 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral 274 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has a 240-hp advantage over the Chaparral 18 Sport 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 Sport 2012 carries 25 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 with its 135-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model18 Sport

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

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 - Detail2,300 lbs. (1,043 kg)

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - kg1043.26

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.23

Weight - lbs.46

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]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model3.0 l 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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max135 hp (101 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,060 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 Sport 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Sport 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 Sport 2012 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 and the Chaparral 274 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 Sport 2012 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs