Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 4 185 lbs for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 passengers can the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 13 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 274 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and 375 hp for the Chaparral 274 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 carries 72 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for up to 13 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model230 SSi Sportboat

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2007

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. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.47

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches58

Bridge clearance - Inches66

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 - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Weight - kg1898.28

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.4185

Weight - lbs.53

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches274

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.61

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volvo: 270 hp

Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Head1

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people13

Maximum peoplenot available

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 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 4 185 lbs for the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 passengers can the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 13 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. That 65-gallon difference translates to roughly 195–325 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 274 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.

← Chaparral 230 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 full specs