Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 tops out at 270 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 2010 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010. 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 2010 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2010 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2010 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

Chaparral

Chaparral 215 SSi 2010

2010

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2005 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010's 270-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 2010 carries 56 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 is rated for up to 10 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 with its 270-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model215 SSi

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year201

Model Year2005

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. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Deadrise21°

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

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.46

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max270 hp (201 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity3 gal. (11 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum people10 or 1,430 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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

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 Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 tops out at 270 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 2010 carry?

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 99" for the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010. 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 2010 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2010 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 215 SSi 2010 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2010 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs