Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 287 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 287 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 6 800 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 287 2011. 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 SSX 287 2011 is rated to a maximum of 430 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 SSX 287 2011 measures 108" 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 287 2011?

The Chaparral SSX 287 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 287 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 287 2011 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 SSX 287 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 287 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 287 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 287 2011 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 430 hp, the Chaparral SSX 287 2011 has a 130-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 SSX 287 2011 carries 105 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 SSX 287 2011 and its 430-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

ModelSSX 287

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches100

Beam - Inches108

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise22°

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

Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.6800

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m) Without Radar Arch: 6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.67

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches105

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches20

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28.83

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal105

Engine max300 hp (224 kw)

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

Headnot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 287 2011 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 287 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 6 800 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 287 2011. 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 SSX 287 2011 is rated to a maximum of 430 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 SSX 287 2011 measures 108" 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 287 2011?

The Chaparral SSX 287 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 287 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 287 2011 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 SSX 287 2011 full specs