Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is certified for 8. 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 400 hp, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 has a 80-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 Sunesta 264 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSunesta 264

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch Tower: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise22°

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] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - kg2018.48

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.445

Weight - lbs.54

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

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.33

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.03

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches316

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 max400 hp (298 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)

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 445 lbs for the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 is rated to a maximum of 400 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 is certified for 8. 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011. 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 Sunesta 264 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 full specs