Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is certified for 15. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 56 gal and 55 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 215 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 215 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

Model215 SSi Sportboat

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inches102

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

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches18

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg1585.3

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.3495

Weight - lbs.43

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)

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

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)

Length overall - Meters6.25

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inches246

Length overall - Inches288

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

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

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum people1

Maximum people15

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,105 lbs

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 3 495 lbs for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is certified for 15. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 56 gallons and 55 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 full specs