Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 475 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 carries 72 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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

ModelSSi 246 Bow Rider

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

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℃

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

Weight - Detail4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.475

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 11 in. (7.59 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.59

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches11

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

Head1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,755 lbs. (796.1 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people13

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (23.95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 475 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 full specs