Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 12. 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 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005'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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 carries 72 gallons versus 53 gallons in the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model236 Sunesta Deckboat

Model246 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2005

Model Year2006

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 - Detail4 ft. 10.75 in. (1.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Meters1.5

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Bridge clearance - Inches58.75

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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 - Detail4,734 lbs. (2,148 kg)

Weight - kg2018.48

Weight - kg2147.3

Weight - lbs.445

Weight - lbs.4734

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 11 in. (7.59 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.96

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 10 in. (6.96 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches274

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard220 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal. (201 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal53

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Engine max320 hp (239 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum people14

Maximum people12

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

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 445 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is certified for 12. 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 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2005 or the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 53 gallons on the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 236 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs