Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005
2005
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VS
Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008
2008
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Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 300 hp for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and 320 hp for the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 carries 147 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 Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 and its 320-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
MakeChaparral
Model216 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSignature 310 Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam10 ft. 7 in. (3.23 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters3.23
Beam - Inches100
Beam - Inches127
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise18℃
Weight - Detail4,112 lbs. (1,865 kg)
Weight - Detail11,400 lbs. (5,171 kg)
Weight - kg1865.17
Weight - kg5170.95
Weight - lbs.4112
Weight - lbs.11400
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 7.25 in. (6.89 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 4 in. (10.16 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.4
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches134
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches33
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.16
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet33
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail147 gal. (556 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77
Fuel tank capacity - Liters556.46
Fuel tank capacity - Gal57
Fuel tank capacity - Gal147
Engine max300 hp (224 kw)
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (239 kW)
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardTwin Volvo 5.0 GXi MPi DP drive 270 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Compartment
Head1
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 4 112 lbs dry weight versus 11 400 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008. 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 Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 is rated to a maximum of 320 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 measures 127" 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 Signature 310 Cruiser 2008?
The Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 147 gallons, versus 57 gallons on the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 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.