Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. 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 SSX 236 2009 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 is certified for 12. 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 SSX 236 2009 measures 102" 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 SSX 236 2009?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 51 gallons on the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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 SSX 236 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 236 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 against a deep vee Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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 375 hp, the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has a 55-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 SSX 236 2009 carries 55 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model204 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSX 236

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4.5 in. (2.55 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.57

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches100.5

Beam - Inches102

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.32

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches51.5

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inches18.12

Draft [drive up] inches23

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36.5

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg1542.21

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.34

Weight - lbs.44

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 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 - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people1

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. 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 SSX 236 2009 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 is certified for 12. 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 SSX 236 2009 measures 102" 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 SSX 236 2009?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 51 gallons on the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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 SSX 236 2009 full specs