Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006
2006
View full specs →
VS
Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008
2008
View full specs →

Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 measures 33,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 20,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 11 400 lbs - 7 288 lbs less than the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 4 112 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 300 hp for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 at 33,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 20,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model216 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSignature 310 Cruiser
Model Year2006
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
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.62
Bridge clearance - Meters3.4
Bridge clearance - Inches103
Bridge clearance - Inches134
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail24.5 in. (62 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches24.5
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches33
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 - Meters6.17
Length - Meters10.16
Length - Feet20
Length - Feet33
Length - Inches2.75
Length - Inches4
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)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2.75 in. (6.17 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches242.75
Length overall - Inchesnot available
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
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
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
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie
Head1
Water capacity3 gal. (11 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Maximum capacity1,985 lbs.
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people14
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
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 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008?
The Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 13,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 2006 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 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 carry?
The Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 14 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 Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 measures 127" wide, compared to 100" for the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral Signature 310 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Chaparral 216 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.