Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 comes in at 24,3 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 6 800 lbs for the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012. 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 287 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 63 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. That 42-gallon difference translates to roughly 126–210 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 287 SSX 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2012

Chaparral

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 287 SSX 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 is a deep-V design and the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 measures 28,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 at 24,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 tips the scales at 6 800 lbs - 2 400 lbs less than the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 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 430 hp, the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013'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 287 SSX 2012 carries 105 gallons versus 63 gallons in the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 at 28,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 at 24,3 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model244 Sunesta WT

Model287 SSX

Model Year2013

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches108

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 Radar Arch: 8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m) Without Radar Arch: 6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters3

Bridge clearance - Meters2.67

Bridge clearance - Inches118

Bridge clearance - Inches105

Deadrise20°

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches20

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - lbs.4400

Weight - lbs.6800

Length - Feet24.33

Length - Feet28.83

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail63 gal. (238 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters238.48

Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47

Fuel tank capacity - Gal63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal105

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people14 / 2,100 lbs.

Maximum peopleYacht certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 comes in at 24,3 feet, making it roughly 4,5 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 287 SSX 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 6 800 lbs for the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012. 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 287 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states - anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2012?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 63 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. That 42-gallon difference translates to roughly 126–210 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 287 SSX 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.

← Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 287 SSX 2012 full specs