Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 21,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 5 272 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013. 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 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 26,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 at 21,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 5 272 lbs — 5 237 lbs less than the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 at 35 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 105-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 216 SSi WT 2013 carries 36 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 216 SSi WT 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model216 SSi WT

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2013

Model Year2006

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 Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8.5 in. (2.35 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Bridge clearance - Inches92.5

Deadrise20°

Deadrise22.5℃

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] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail5,272 lbs. (2,392 kg)

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kg2391.34

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.5272

Length - Feet21.5

Length - Feet26

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches317

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum people11 / 1,500 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 21,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 5 272 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013. 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 216 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 36 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 28-gallon difference translates to roughly 84–140 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 216 SSi WT 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs