Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 comes in at 20,5 feet, making it roughly 8,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 has the edge at 73 lbs dry weight versus 355 lbs for the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 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 285 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 tops out at 300 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 Xtreme 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 has an official capacity rating of 10 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 285 SSX 2012 measures 108" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 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 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 33 gallons on the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013. That 72-gallon difference translates to roughly 216–360 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 and the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 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 Xtreme 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2012

Chaparral

Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 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 285 SSX 2012 measures 28,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 8,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 at 20,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 tips the scales at 355 lbs — 282 lbs more than the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 at 73 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 has a 130-hp advantage over the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013's 300-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 285 SSX 2012 carries 105 gallons versus 33 gallons in the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 is rated for up to 10 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 at 28,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 at 20,5 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model204 Xtreme

Model285 SSX

Model Year2013

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches1

Beam - Inches108

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower Upright: 7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m) With Wakeboard Tower Folded: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With Arch Tower Upright: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m) Without Radar Arch: 6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.26

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches89

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise18°

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches13

Draft [drive up] inches2

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail3,550 lbs. (1,610 kg)

Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)

Weight - kg1610.25

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.355

Weight - lbs.73

Length - Feet20.5

Length - Feet28.83

Length [over all with swim platform]20 ft. 6 in. (6.25 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail33 gal. (125 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124.92

Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal105

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum people10 / 1,400 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 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 204 Xtreme 2013 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 comes in at 20,5 feet, making it roughly 8,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 has the edge at 73 lbs dry weight versus 355 lbs for the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 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 285 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 tops out at 300 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 Xtreme 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 has an official capacity rating of 10 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 285 SSX 2012 measures 108" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 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 204 Xtreme 2013 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 33 gallons on the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013. That 72-gallon difference translates to roughly 216–360 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 204 Xtreme 2013 and the Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 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 Xtreme 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSX 2012 full specs