Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 22,0 ft versus Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 at 24,0 ft. At 451 lbs and 435 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 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 2007 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
MakeChaparral
Model235 SSi Sportboat
ModelSSi 236 Bow Rider
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
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 - Meters6.96
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Feet22
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
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 materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)
Headroomnot available
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,690 lbs
Maximum capacity1,655 lbs. (750.7 kg)
Maximum people12
Maximum people12
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8