Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 comes in at 19,5 feet, making it roughly 6,8 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 has the edge at 3 100 lbs dry weight versus 5 400 lbs for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 tops out at 270 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 196 SSi WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 9 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 264 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012. 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 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 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 196 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012

2012

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 is a modified-V design and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 26,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 at 19,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 tips the scales at 5 400 lbs - 2 300 lbs less than the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 at 3 100 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 380 hp, the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 has a 110-hp advantage over the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012's 270-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 264 Sunesta WT 2013 carries 80 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 is rated for up to 9 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 at 26,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 at 19,5 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model196 SSi WT

Model264 Sunesta WT

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22.5°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail3,100 lbs. (1,406 kg)

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.3100

Weight - lbs.5400

Length - Feet19.5

Length - Feet26.33

Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 6 in. (5.94 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail32 gal. (121 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp (201 kW)

Engine max380 hp (283 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum people9 or 1,260 lbs.

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

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 196 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 comes in at 19,5 feet, making it roughly 6,8 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 has the edge at 3 100 lbs dry weight versus 5 400 lbs for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 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 264 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 tops out at 270 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 196 SSi WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 9 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 264 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012. 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 196 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 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 196 SSi WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2013 full specs