Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 at 21,5 ft versus Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 at 22,3 ft. At 35 lbs and 4 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 carries 36 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model216 SSi WT
Model224 Sunesta WT
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m) With Arch: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) With Arch Folded: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m) With Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) With Wakeboard Tower Folded: 6 ft. (1.83 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Meters2.79
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inches11
Deadrise20°
Deadrise18°
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches2
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 - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - lbs.35
Weight - lbs.4
Length - Feet21.5
Length - Feet22.33
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum people11 / 1,500 lbs
Maximum people12 or 1,750 lbs
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)