Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 2 100 lbs dry weight versus 4 600 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

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

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 86" for the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

Chaparral

Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has a 120-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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 carries 70 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.

The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 255-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model180 SSi Sportboat

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches86

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.32

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches52

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail7 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.18

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches7

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.2100

Weight - lbs.4600

Length [over all with swim platform]18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard135 hp

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal70

Engine max255 hp (168 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum people8

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 2 100 lbs dry weight versus 4 600 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 passengers can the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 86" for the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 180 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs