Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. 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 255 SSi 2010 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 45-gallon difference translates to roughly 135–225 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 255 SSi 2010 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004'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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carries 53 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 Sunesta Deckboat

Model255 SSi

Model Year2004

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 8 ft. (2.44 m) Without Arch Tower: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise22.5°

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,450 lbs. (2,019 kg)

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg2018.48

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.445

Weight - lbs.554

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 3.5 in. (7.4 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard220 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie

Headnot available

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum people14

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 cm)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. 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 255 SSi 2010 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010. That 45-gallon difference translates to roughly 135–225 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi 2010 full specs