Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

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

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 54 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2006 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 — 375 hp for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and 375 hp for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 54 gal and 55 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2006

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 7.5 in. (1.41 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.42

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inches55.5

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise17℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.43

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.34

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches289

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum people15

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 4 338 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

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

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 54 gallons and 55 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2006 full specs ← Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs