Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 256 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 256 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 256 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 4 338 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 2009. 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 SSi 256 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 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.

Q: 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral SSi 256 2009 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 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 256 2009?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 2009. That 46-gallon difference translates to roughly 138–230 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral SSi 256 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral SSi 256 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 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 256 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 256 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 256 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 256 2009 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Chaparral SSi 256 2009 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 256 2009 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 937 lbs less than the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 4 338 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 425 hp, the Chaparral SSi 256 2009 has a 50-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 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 256 2009. 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 SSi 256 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral SSi 256 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 256

Model Year2006

Model Year2009

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 - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.42

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches55.5

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - kg1967.68

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.4338

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches1

Length - Inches5

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. 5 in. (8.05 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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters204.41

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal54

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi 300 hp DP

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 256 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 256 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 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 SSi 256 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 4 338 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 2009. 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 SSi 256 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral SSi 256 2009 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 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 256 2009?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 54 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 2009. That 46-gallon difference translates to roughly 138–230 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral SSi 256 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral SSi 256 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 2006 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 256 2009 full specs