Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 has the edge at 554 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 255 SSi 2010 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 46-gallon difference translates to roughly 138–230 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 255 SSi 2010

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 255 SSi 2010 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 54 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. 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 255 SSi 2010 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

Model255 SSi

Model Year2004

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inchesnot available

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise22.5°

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

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

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.554

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

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 8 ft. (2.44 m) Without Arch Tower: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches96

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 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

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 cm)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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 255 SSi 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 has the edge at 554 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 255 SSi 2010 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 46-gallon difference translates to roughly 138–230 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 255 SSi 2010 full specs