Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 475 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 246 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has a 55-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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 carries 72 gallons versus 54 gallons in the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 and its 375-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

Model246 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Weight - Detail4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg)

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.475

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

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.59

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches11

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

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

Headnot available

Head1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)<br<Holding Tank w/ Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 475 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 246 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 full specs