Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 91 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 290 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 Signature 290 2013 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 tops out at 320 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 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 Signature 290 2013 measures 114" wide, compared to 101" for the Chaparral 204 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2013?

The Chaparral Signature 290 2013 has the bigger tank at 87 gallons, versus 51 gallons on the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 36-gallon difference translates to roughly 108–180 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral Signature 290 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral Signature 290 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 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral Signature 290 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 against a deep vee Chaparral Signature 290 2013 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Chaparral Signature 290 2013 has a 130-hp advantage over the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005's 320-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 Signature 290 2013 carries 87 gallons versus 51 gallons in the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral Signature 290 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral Signature 290 2013 and its 450-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model204 SSi Sportboat

ModelSignature 29

Model Year2005

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4.5 in. (2.55 m)

Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Meters2.9

Beam - Inches100.5

Beam - Inches114

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 3.5 in. (1.3 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m) With Arch: 9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.32

Bridge clearance - Meters2.79

Bridge clearance - Inches51.5

Bridge clearance - Inches11

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18.12 in. (46.03 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches18.12

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail36.5 in. (92.71 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches36.5

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail3,400 lbs. (1,542 kg)

Weight - Detail9,100 lbs. (4,128 kg)

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg4127.69

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.91

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 3.5 in. (6.49 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. (8.84 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6.5 in. (5.95 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters5.97

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches234.5

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet29

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail87 gal. (329 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters329.33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal87

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max450 hp (336 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Operational Info

Maximum people1

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 91 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 290 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 Signature 290 2013 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 tops out at 320 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 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 Signature 290 2013 measures 114" wide, compared to 101" for the Chaparral 204 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 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2013?

The Chaparral Signature 290 2013 has the bigger tank at 87 gallons, versus 51 gallons on the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 36-gallon difference translates to roughly 108–180 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral Signature 290 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral Signature 290 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 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral Signature 290 2013 full specs