Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013
2013
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VS
Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012
2012
View full specs →

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 at 24,3 ft versus Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 at 24,5 ft. At 44 lbs and 44 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and 320 hp for the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 63 gal and 65 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 14 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model244 Sunesta WT
Model246 SSi WT
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m) With Arch Tower: 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Inches118
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Deadrise20°
Deadrise21°
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.44
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Feet24.33
Length - Feet24.5
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail63 gal. (238 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters238.48
Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05
Fuel tank capacity - Gal63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal65
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacityOptional: 10 gal. (38 l)
Maximum people14 / 2,100 lbs
Maximum people14 or 2,006 lbs
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

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012?
The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,5 feet overall. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 comes in at 24,3 feet, making it roughly 0,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012?
For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 44 lbs for the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is certified for 14. 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 63 gallons and 65 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 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.