Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004
2004
View full specs →
VS
Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007
2007
View full specs →

Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 300 hp, the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has a 45-hp advantage over the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004's 255-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 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carries 57 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Chaparral 180 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 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 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
MakeChaparral
Model180 SSi Sportboat
Model214 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2004
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches1
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.32
Bridge clearance - Meters2.62
Bridge clearance - Inches52
Bridge clearance - Inches103
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise16℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail7 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.18
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] inches7
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg)
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - lbs.21
Weight - lbs.4
Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 7 in. (6.88 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.88
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet22
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 220 hp SX
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal57
Engine max255 hp (168 kw)
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Maximum people8
Maximum people14
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity3 gal. (11 l)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,985 lbs
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
For trailering, the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 21 lbs for the Chaparral 180 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 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 tops out at 255 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 86" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
The Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 36-gallon difference translates to roughly 108–180 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 214 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.