Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 4 350 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 15 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 57 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004's 300-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 57 gal and 55 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and its 375-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

Model254 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2004

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 - Inches100

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Weight - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.4350

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 9 in. (1.75 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.75

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches69

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches288

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,035 lbs.

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people15

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 4 350 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 15 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 57 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 full specs