Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 3 650 lbs dry weight versus 4 525 lbs for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 56 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005's 320-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 56 gal and 55 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model220 SSi Sportboat

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inches60

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (50 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (95 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail3,650 lbs. (1,656 kg)

Weight - Detail4,525 lbs. (2,053 kg)

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - kg2052.5

Weight - lbs.3650

Weight - lbs.4525

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 1 in. (7.95 m)

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.95

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard220 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp SX

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people12

Maximum people15

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,105 lbs.

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 GAL. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 3 650 lbs dry weight versus 4 525 lbs for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing - on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 56 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 220 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 full specs