Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 72 lbs for the Chaparral 285 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 111" 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and the Chaparral 285 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 285 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 320 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 100-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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 143 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 with its 220-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model18 Sport

Model285 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Inches9

Beam - Inches111

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.24

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches88

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches21

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 - Detail7,200 lbs. (3,266 kg)

Weight - kg1043.26

Weight - kg3265.86

Weight - lbs.23

Weight - lbs.72

Length - Feet18.33

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.31 m)

Length overall - Meters5.59

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches22

Length overall - Inches33

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 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 - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower135 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max220 hp (164 kW)

Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard375 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,160 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal9.5

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has the edge at 23 lbs dry weight versus 72 lbs for the Chaparral 285 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 is certified for 8. 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 111" 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and the Chaparral 285 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 285 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs