Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 21,0 ft versus Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 321 lbs more than the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 at 44 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 — 320 hp for the Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 and 320 hp for the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 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 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 carries 56 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: The Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 at 24,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 220 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 21,0 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
Model220 SSi Sportboat
ModelSunesta 244 Wide-Tech
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.71 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 56 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.57
Bridge clearance - Meters2.72
Bridge clearance - Inches101
Bridge clearance - Inches107
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail3,650 lbs. (1,656 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg1655.61
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.365
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Meters6.55
Length - Meters7.42
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches4
Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 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
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,690 lbs
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs
Maximum people12
Maximum people12
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
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