Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 5 272 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 256 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 2005 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005'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 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 256 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

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

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 Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8.5 in. (2.35 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches92.5

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail5,272 lbs. (2,392 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg2391.34

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.5272

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

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

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

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Meters8.05

Length overall - Inches274

Length overall - Inches317

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 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)

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 5 272 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 256 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 256 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs