Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005
2005
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VS
Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007
2007
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Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 254 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has a 150-hp advantage over the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005's 225-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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 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
Model190 SSi Sportboat
Model254 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.36
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches93
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8.5 in. (1.44 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 9 in. (1.75 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.45
Bridge clearance - Meters1.75
Bridge clearance - Inches56.5
Bridge clearance - Inches69
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail14 in. (36 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.36
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches14
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)
Weight - Detail4,850 lbs. (2.200 kg)
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kg2199.92
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.485
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 1 in. (7.95 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches219
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.95
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard135 hp
Engine/s standardMerc 5.0L 260 hp B3
Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Engine max225 hp (168 kw)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
Maximum people8
Maximum people15
Headnot available
Head1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,035 lbs
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
For trailering, the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 29 lbs dry weight versus 485 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 tops out at 225 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 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is certified for 15. 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 93" for the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 33 gallons on the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 190 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 254 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.