Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is certified for 8. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 measures 26,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 at 19,5 feet (2013). At 31 lbs and 54 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 has a 130-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 Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 caps at 8. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 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

Model196 SSi WT

ModelSunesta 264

Model Year2013

Model Year2011

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 Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch Tower: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22°

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.31

Weight - lbs.54

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]not available

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.03

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches316

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 max400 hp (298 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum people9 / 1,260 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity14 gal. (53 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 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 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 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 31 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is certified for 8. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 29 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 196 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 full specs