Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 554 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 125-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carries 57 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and its 425-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

Model255 SSi Sportboat

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

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.554

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 554 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs