Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 246 SSi WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 tops out at 300 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 passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 64 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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 — 300 hp for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013. 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 246 SSi WT 2013 carries 64 gallons versus 57 gallons in the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model216 Sunesta Deckboat

Model246 SSi WT

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

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

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise21°

Weight - Detail4,112 lbs. (1,865 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.44

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 7.25 in. (6.89 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) With Arch Tower: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal64

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

Headnot available

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people14 / 2,006 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 246 SSi WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 tops out at 300 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 passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 64 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 full specs