Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 — 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 Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 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 425 hp, the Chaparral Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 has a 50-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 Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 carries 105 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 Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 wasn't available.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral Sunesta 284 Wide-Tech 2008 and its 425-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
MakeChaparral
Model235 SSi Sportboat
ModelSunesta 284 Wide-Tech
Model Year2004
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 98 in. (2.49 m) Without Arch: 67 in. (1.7 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] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches25
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 - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.64
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volvo: 270 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55
Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47
Fuel tank capacity - Gal72
Fuel tank capacity - Gal105
Engine max375 hp (280 kw)
Engine max425 hp (317 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 capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Maximum people12
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5