Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
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
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