Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 comes in at 24,3 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 tops out at 400 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral 255 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral 255 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006: A Close Look at Two Modified-V Boats

Both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 are modified-V designs, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 at 24,3 ft versus Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 5 540 lbs - 1 140 lbs less than the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 at 4 400 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012's 400-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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 carries 80 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 with its 400-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model244 Sunesta WT

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2012

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 9 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.92

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches115

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise20°

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

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

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.4400

Weight - lbs.5540

Length - Feet24.33

Length - Feet26

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)

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

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum people14 or 2,100 lbs.

Maximum peopleYacht certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed head w/ sink and faucet

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 comes in at 24,3 feet, making it roughly 1,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 tops out at 400 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral 255 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral 255 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 244 Sunesta WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs