Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 435 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 320 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 12. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008's 320-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 55 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model235 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 236 Bow Rider

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

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 Wakeboard Arch: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Arch: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches22

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 - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.435

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 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 - Meters7.34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

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 standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

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 capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs. (750.7 kg)

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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 435 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 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 320 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 12. 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 full specs