Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 4 185 lbs for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is certified for 15. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and 375 hp for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 72 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model230 SSi Sportboat

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 10 in. (1.47 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.47

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inches58

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail4,185 lbs. (1,898 kg)

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg1898.28

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.4185

Weight - lbs.43

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 11 in. (7.59 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 10 in. (6.96 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inches274

Length overall - Inches288

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.32

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volvo: 270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum people13

Maximum people15

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,105 lbs

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 4 185 lbs for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is certified for 15. 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 230 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 full specs