Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006
2006
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VS
Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 420 2012
2012
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Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 against a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 measures 42,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 18,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 24,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 4 338 lbs — 4 101 lbs more than the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 at 237 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 740 hp, the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 has a 1 365-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006's 375-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 2006 carries 54 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 24,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model236 SSi Sportboat
ModelPremiere 42
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters4.06
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches16
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 7.5 in. (1.41 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.42
Bridge clearance - Meters3.78
Bridge clearance - Inches55.5
Bridge clearance - Inches149
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches45
Weight - Detail4,338 lbs. (1,968 kg)
Weight - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)
Weight - kg1967.68
Weight - kg10750.13
Weight - lbs.4338
Weight - lbs.237
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet42
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]42 ft. (12.8 m)
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail54 gal. (204 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max1,740 hp (1,298 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,655 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people12
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 l)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity6
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity77 gal. (291 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal42

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 18,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012?
For trailering, the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 has the edge at 237 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 is rated to a maximum of 1 740 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 tops out at 375 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.
How many passengers can the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 carry?
The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 measures 102" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. 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 2006 or the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012?
The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. That 51-gallon difference translates to roughly 153–255 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 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.