Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013
2013
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VS
Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007
2007
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Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 at 22,5 ft versus Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 tips the scales at 4 155 lbs — 4 116 lbs less than the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 at 39 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 226 SSi WT 2013 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 51 gal and 53 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model226 SSi WT
Model232 Sunesta Deckboat
Model Year2013
Model Year2007
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 - Detail4 ft. 8 in. With Arch Tower: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Top Down: 5 ft. 1 in. (1.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Meters1.55
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Inches61
Deadrise20°
Deadrise16℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)
Weight - Detail4,155 lbs. (1,885 kg)
Weight - kg1769.01
Weight - kg1884.67
Weight - lbs.39
Weight - lbs.4155
Length - Feet22.5
Length - Feet24
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3 in. (7.39 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.39
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerc 5.0L 206 hp Alpha
Operational Info
Maximum people12 / 1,650 lbs
Maximum people14
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,125 lbs
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
The Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 22,5 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
For trailering, the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 4 155 lbs for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is certified for 14. 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 226 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 51 gallons and 53 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 226 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 226 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.