Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007
2007
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VS
Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008
2008
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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

Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?
The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 435 lbs dry weight versus 451 lbs for the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 12. 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 2007 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?
The Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 235 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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.