Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 44 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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 400 hp, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has a 80-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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 54 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and its 400-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

Model236 SSi Sportboat

Model244 Sunesta WT

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise20°

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

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.44

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 9 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.92

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches115

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches33

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.33

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people14 or 2,100 lbs

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

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

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 44 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 full specs