Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013
2013
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VS
Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012
2012
View full specs →

Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 at 22,3 ft versus Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 at 22,5 ft. At 4 lbs and 39 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and 300 hp for the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012. 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 226 SSi WT 2012 carries 55 gallons versus 49 gallons in the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013. 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model224 Sunesta WT
Model226 SSi WT
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
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 - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m) With Arch Tower: 9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Deadrise18°
Deadrise20°
Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - kg1769.01
Weight - lbs.4
Weight - lbs.39
Length - Feet22.33
Length - Feet22.5
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (185 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people12 / 1,750 lbs
Maximum people12 or 1,650 lbs

Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012?
The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 22,5 feet overall. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 comes in at 22,3 feet, making it roughly 0,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012?
For trailering, the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 39 lbs for the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012. 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 224 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 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 people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 is certified for 12. 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 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012?
The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 49 gallons on the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2012 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.