Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 Sunesta 264 2009 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" 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 Sunesta 264 2009?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 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 Sunesta 264 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 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 Sunesta 264 2009 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 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 carries 57 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. 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 Sunesta 264 2009 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

ModelSunesta 264

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

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 - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - kg1865.17

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.4112

Weight - lbs.54

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 92 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch: 63 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches92

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] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.03

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

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)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Compartment

Headnot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 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 typeModified Vee

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 4 112 lbs for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 Sunesta 264 2009 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" 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 Sunesta 264 2009?

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 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 Sunesta 264 2009 full specs