Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 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 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 tops out at 280 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 2007 or the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 2007 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 320 hp, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has a 40-hp advantage over the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007's 280-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 53 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 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

Model236 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2007

Model Year2004

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. (1.73 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise16℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)

Weight - Detail4,450 lbs. (2,019 kg)

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kg2018.48

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.445

Length - Meters6.71

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 0 in. (6.71 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3.5 in. (7.4 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 220 hp SX

Engine/s standard220 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max280 hp (209 kW)

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity3 gal. (11 l)

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Maximum capacity1,405 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum people14

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14)

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie

Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 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 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 tops out at 280 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 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 2007 or the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004?

The Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs