Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006
2006
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VS
Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005
2005
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Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 300 hp for the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 and 300 hp for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 51 gal and 53 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 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
MakeChaparral
Model204 SSi Sportboat
Model232 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2006
Model Year2005
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. (1.31 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 1.25 in. (1.56 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.32
Bridge clearance - Meters1.55
Bridge clearance - Inches51.5
Bridge clearance - Inches61.25
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise16℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18.125 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches18.125
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail36.5 in. (93 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.36 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches36.5
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail3,400 lbs. (1,542 kg)
Weight - Detail4,065 lbs. (1,884 kg)
Weight - kg1542.21
Weight - kg1843.85
Weight - lbs.34
Weight - lbs.4065
Length - Meters6.49
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet21
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches3.5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 3.5 in. (6.49 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters6.5
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches255.5
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3.5 in. (7.4 m)
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Engine max300 hp (224 kw)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,375 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people1
Maximum people14
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters53
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?
For trailering, the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 34 lbs dry weight versus 4 065 lbs for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is certified for 14. 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 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 51 gallons and 53 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 204 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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.