Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 10,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 at 22,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 11 395 lbs — 11 391 lbs less than the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006. 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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 carries 147 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 224 Sunesta WT 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 22,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model224 Sunesta WT
Model310 Signature Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam10 ft. 7.5 in. (3.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.25
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches127.5
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 Radar Arch: 11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m) Without Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8.5 in. (2.35 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Meters3.4
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Inches134
Deadrise18°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - Detail11,395 lbs. (5,169 kg)
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - kg5168.68
Weight - lbs.4
Weight - lbs.11395
Length - Feet22.33
Length - Feet33
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.17
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4.5
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 4.5 in. (10.17 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters10.19
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches400.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (185 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail147 gal. (556 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters556.46
Fuel tank capacity - Gal49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal147
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Maximum people12 / 1,750 lbs
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headnot available
HeadEnclosed fiberglass with shower
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28