Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 85 lbs for the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005. 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 tops out at 270 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005. 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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005?

The Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 63 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. That 52-gallon difference translates to roughly 156–260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005

Chaparral

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005's 270-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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 carries 115 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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and its 320-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 with its 270-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model244 Sunesta WT

Model290 Signature Cruiser

Model Year2013

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches12

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 Arch: 10 ft. (3.05 m) Without Arch: 7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters3

Bridge clearance - Meters3.05

Bridge clearance - Inches118

Bridge clearance - Inches12

Deadrise20°

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches25

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches33

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

Weight - Detail8,500 lbs. (3,856 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg3855.53

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.85

Length - Feet24.33

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 8 in. (9.35 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail63 gal. (238 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail115 gal. (435 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters238.48

Fuel tank capacity - Liters435.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal63

Fuel tank capacity - Gal115

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine maxTwin 270 hp (Twin 201 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardTwin 190 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity25 gal. (95 l)

Maximum people14 / 2,100 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Liters94.64

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Holding tank capacity - Gal25

Headnot available

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Shower

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 vs Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 or the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005?

For trailering, the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 85 lbs for the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005. 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 tops out at 270 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 244 Sunesta WT 2013 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005. 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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005?

The Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 63 gallons on the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013. That 52-gallon difference translates to roughly 156–260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 244 Sunesta WT 2013 and the Chaparral 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 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 290 Signature Cruiser 2005 full specs