Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 has the edge at 554 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 255 SSi 2010 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010

Chaparral

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 are modified vee designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 has a 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004'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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 56 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model215 SSi Sportboat

Model255 SSi

Model Year2004

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 8 ft. (2.44 m) Without Arch Tower: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise22.5°

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail3,495 lbs. (1,585 kg)

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg1585.3

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.3495

Weight - lbs.554

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. (6.71 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in. (6.24 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches246

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.42

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 cm)

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l) - Optional Explorer Package

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum people1

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 has the edge at 554 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 255 SSi 2010 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 full specs