Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 4 338 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005'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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 80 gallons versus 54 gallons in the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 Sportboat 2004 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

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.5540

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)

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 - Gal80

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Operational Info

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in.

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 4 338 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 Sportboat 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 54 gallons on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 26-gallon difference translates to roughly 78–130 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs