Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 vs Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Chaparral 18 Sport 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 400 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 435 hp, the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 has a 300-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 3 gallons in the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009. 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 Premiere 400 2009 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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
MakeChaparral
Model18 Sport
ModelPremiere 4
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters4.06
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches16
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.22 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Meters4.11
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Bridge clearance - Inches162
Deadrise18°
Deadrise18℃
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] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.79
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Inches31
Draft [max] - Inches45
Weight - Detail2,300 lbs. (1,043 kg)
Weight - DetailTBD
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.23
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet18.33
Length - Feet42
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 - Meters13
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 0 in. (13 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
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 - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max135 hp (101 kW)
Engine maxTwin 435 hp (twin 320 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,060 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 l)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity6
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity77 gal. (291 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal42