Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 451 lbs for the Chaparral 235 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 tops out at 375 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many passengers can the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 are modified vee designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004's 375-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and its 400-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model235 SSi Sportboat

Model264 Sunesta WT

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch Tower: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail4,510 lbs. (2,046 kg)

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.54

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.33

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 451 lbs for the Chaparral 235 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 tops out at 375 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many passengers can the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 full specs