Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 passengers can the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 carries 56 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model215 SSi Sportboat

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

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. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches66

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 - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Weight - kg1585.3

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.3495

Weight - lbs.53

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 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 - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.61

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 hp

Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

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)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

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

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people1

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

Head1

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 passengers can the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 full specs