Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 is certified for 7. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 Boats 256 SSi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 Boats 256 SSi 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 carries a rated maximum of 270 hp. Engine data for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 carries 29 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 196 SSi WT 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 19,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Makenot available

Model196 SSi WT

Modelnot available

Model Year2013

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inchesnot available

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18°

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1406.14

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.31

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet19.5

Length - Feet26

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

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26.00 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.92

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches312

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail29 gal. (110 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters109.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal29

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Engine max270 hp (201 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makevolvo

Operational Info

Maximum people9 / 1,260 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has a documented max rating of 270 hp. Engine specifications for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 is certified for 7. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 Boats 256 SSi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 Boats 256 SSi 2006 full specs