Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 is certified for 14. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. 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 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 205-hp advantage over the Chaparral 18 Sport 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 18 Sport 2013 carries 25 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 18 Sport 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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

Model18 Sport

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2013

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

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.62 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.24

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Inches88

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22.5℃

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] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.79

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches31

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail4,950 lbs. (2,245 kg)

Weight - kg1043.26

Weight - kg2245.28

Weight - lbs.23

Weight - lbs.495

Length - Feet18.33

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.59 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in. (7.36 m)

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Inches22

Length overall - Inches29

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified 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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max220 hp (164 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury: 300 hp Volvo: 280 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,160 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum people14

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.70 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 18 Sport 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 is certified for 14. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. 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 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs