Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 215 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 215 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 252 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral 215 SSi 2011's 270-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 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 215 SSi 2011 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 215 SSi 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model215 SSi
Model252 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2011
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. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.73
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Inches68
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Deadrise21°
Deadrise17℃
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 - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - kg1950.45
Weight - lbs.35
Weight - lbs.43
Length - Feet22
Length - Feetnot available
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)
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 - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
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 people15
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