Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

The Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 comes in at 22,3 feet, making it roughly 19,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 237 lbs for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013. 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 Premiere 420 2013 is rated to a maximum of 870 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 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 passengers can the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 3 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 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 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 224 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral Premiere 420 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 measures 42,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 19,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 at 22,3 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 tips the scales at 237 lbs — 233 lbs less than the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 at 4 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 870 hp, the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 has a 550-hp advantage over the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012'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 — 5 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 at 22,3 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

Model224 Sunesta WT

ModelPremiere 42

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters4.06

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches16

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.79

Bridge clearance - Meters3.78

Bridge clearance - Inches11

Bridge clearance - Inches149

Deadrise18°

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters1.14

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches45

Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)

Weight - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - kg10750.13

Weight - lbs.4

Weight - lbs.237

Length - Feet22.33

Length - Feet42

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. (12.8 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max870 hp (649 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people12 or 1,750 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Water heater capacitynot available

Water heater capacity77 gal. (291 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal42

Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

The Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 comes in at 22,3 feet, making it roughly 19,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 237 lbs for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013. 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 Premiere 420 2013 is rated to a maximum of 870 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 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 passengers can the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 224 Sunesta WT 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral Premiere 420 2013?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 5 gallons and 3 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 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 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 224 Sunesta WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral Premiere 420 2013 full specs