Chaparral 18 Sport  2013 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 18 Sport 2013
2013
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VS
Chaparral SSi 180  2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 180 2009
2009
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Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral SSi 180 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 at 18,3 ft versus Chaparral SSi 180 2009 at 18,0 ft. At 23 lbs and 21 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 220 hp, the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 has a 30-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 180 2009's 190-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 25 gal and 23 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 18 Sport 2013 and its 220-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 with its 190-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model18 Sport
ModelSSi 18
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches86
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m) 7 ft. 4 in. (2.23 m) with arch tower
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.24
Bridge clearance - Meters1.32
Bridge clearance - Inches88
Bridge clearance - Inches52
Deadrise18°
Deadrise20℃
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 - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg)
Weight - kg1043.26
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - lbs.23
Weight - lbs.21
Length - Feet18.33
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 4 in. (5.59 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Meters5.59
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Inches22
Length overall - Inches219
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.56
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 10 in. (6.05 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
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 - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower135 hp
Horsepowernot available
Engine max220 hp (164 kW)
Engine max190 hp (142 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0L GL SX 135 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,160 lbs
Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people8

Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral SSi 180 2009?
The Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,3 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 180 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 0,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 or the Chaparral SSi 180 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 23 lbs for the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013. 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 18 Sport 2013 is rated to a maximum of 220 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 180 2009 tops out at 190 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 SSi 180 2009 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 SSi 180 2009 measures 86" 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral SSi 180 2009?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 25 gallons and 23 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and Chaparral SSi 180 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 18 Sport 2013 and the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 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.