Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Signature 290 2009 has the edge at 97 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 290 2009 tops out at 270 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral Signature 290 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2009?

The Chaparral Signature 290 2009 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral Signature 290 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral Signature 290 2009 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 Signature 290 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral Signature 290 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2009 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 320 hp, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral Signature 290 2009's 270-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 Signature 290 2009 carries 115 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral Signature 290 2009 with its 270-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

ModelSignature 29

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches12

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Weight - Detail9,700 lbs. (4,400 kg)

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg4399.84

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.97

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

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 8 in. (9.35 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters3.05

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches12

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches25

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 - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.35

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail115 gal. (435 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters435.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal115

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine maxTwin 270 hp (201 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardTwin Volvo 4.3L GXi MPi DP 225 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Operational Info

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity24 gal. (91 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Signature 290 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Signature 290 2009 has the edge at 97 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 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 290 2009 tops out at 270 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral Signature 290 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Signature 290 2009?

The Chaparral Signature 290 2009 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 61-gallon difference translates to roughly 183–305 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral Signature 290 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral Signature 290 2009 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 Signature 290 2009 full specs