Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004
2004
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VS
Chaparral SSi  204 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 204 2009
2009
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Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 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 — 300 hp for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and 300 hp for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. 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 — 53 gal and 51 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 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral SSi 204 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model232 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSSi 204
Model Year2004
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches1
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 1.25 in. (1.56 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.55
Bridge clearance - Meters2.08
Bridge clearance - Inches61.25
Bridge clearance - Inches82
Deadrise16℃
Deadrise20℃
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] - Detail34 in. (86.36 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail4,065 lbs. (1,884 kg)
Weight - Detail3,430 lbs. (1,556 kg)
Weight - kg1843.85
Weight - kg1555.82
Weight - lbs.4065
Weight - lbs.343
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3.5 in. (7.4 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 3 in. (6.48 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.97
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet19
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (5.97 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters5.97
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches235
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Fuel tank capacity - Gal51
Engine max300 hp (224 kw)
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L GL SX 220 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie
Headnot available
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people14
Maximum people1
Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters53
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (623.7 kg)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 204 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 has the edge at 343 lbs dry weight versus 4 065 lbs for the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 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 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 is certified for 1. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 204 2009?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 53 gallons and 51 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 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 204 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 232 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 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.