Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral 274 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 274 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 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007'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 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 SSi Sportboat

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2007

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise18℃

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 - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.435

Weight - lbs.46

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 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.

How many passengers can the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral 274 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005?

The Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 274 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs