Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 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 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013's 320-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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 carries 55 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated for 15 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 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 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
Model252 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches100
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. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Deadrise20°
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches16
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.3500
Weight - lbs.4300
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]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 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 - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people11 / 1,500 lbs.
Maximum people15
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity15 gal. (57 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