Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 Sportboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 Sportboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 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 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 125-hp advantage over the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005'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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 carries 72 gallons versus 57 gallons in the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 Sportboat 2006 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model216 Sunesta Deckboat

Model246 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2005

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℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Weight - Detail4,734 lbs. (2,148 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg2147.3

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.4734

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 - Detail4 ft. 10.75 in. (1.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.5

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches58.75

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

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 - Meters6.96

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches10

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 10 in. (6.96 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches274

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 max425 hp (317 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs.

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Body / Hull

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 Sportboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 Sportboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 100" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs