Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carries 53 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013. 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 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for 14 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 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 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
Model236 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2013
Model Year2004
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 - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Meters1.63
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inches64
Deadrise20°
Deadrise16℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches34
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 - Feet21.5
Length - Feetnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3.5 in. (7.4 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard220 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people11 / 1,500 lbs
Maximum people14
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters53
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal14