Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral 255 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 2007 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 2007 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 255 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 2007 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 255 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007'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 2007 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 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 2007 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model235 SSi Sportboat

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2007

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℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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 - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg2045.7

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.451

Weight - lbs.554

Length - Meters6.96

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 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 materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,690 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 451 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral 255 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 2007 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 2007 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 255 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs