Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 19,5 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 measures 26,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 at 19,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 5 244 lbs less than the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 at 31 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 has a 155-hp advantage over the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013'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 196 SSi WT 2013 carries 29 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 is rated for up to 9 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2013

Model Year2007

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 - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches93

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] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.31

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Feet19.5

Length - Feet26

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max270 hp (201 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp DP

Operational Info

Maximum people9 / 1,260 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 ) 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 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 19,5 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 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.

← Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 full specs