Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 64 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 108" 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 111 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 against a deep vee Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 has a 55-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 284 Sunesta WT 2013 carries 111 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.

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 and its 430-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

Model284 Sunesta WT

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches108

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

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 7 in. (1.7 m) With Arch Tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (66 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches26

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

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

Weight - Detail6,400 lbs. (2,903 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg2902.99

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.64

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 4 in. (8.64 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 - Feet28.33

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep 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 - Detail111 gal. (420 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters420.18

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal111

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max430 hp (321 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 capacity22 gal. (83 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 64 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 108" 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013?

The Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 111 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 39-gallon difference translates to roughly 117–195 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 284 Sunesta WT 2013 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 284 Sunesta WT 2013 full specs