Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 68 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 640 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 8. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 111" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 640 hp, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 265-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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 carries 143 gallons versus 72 gallons in the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model235 SSi Sportboat

Model280 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches111

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.46

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches97

Deadrise22℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.68

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

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.38 m)

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches274

Length overall - Inches33

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.38

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet27

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

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 - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max640 hp (478 kW)

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 capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 68 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 640 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 8. 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 111" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs