Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 carry?

The Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 Sunesta 244 2011?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011. 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 Sunesta 244 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and 320 hp for the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 carries 54 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

ModelSunesta 244

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

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 max320 hp (239 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 2005 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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.

How many passengers can the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 carry?

The Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 Sunesta 244 2011?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011. 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 2005 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral Sunesta 244 2011 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 Sunesta 244 2011 full specs