Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 passengers can the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 2005 and Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 or the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 vs Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004'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 2005 carries 72 gallons versus 54 gallons in the Chaparral 236 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 2005 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model235 SSi Sportboat

Model236 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

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 - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detail4,338 lbs. (1,968 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.4338

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

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 - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

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 peoplenot available

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 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 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 passengers can the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 2005 and Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 or the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs