Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 4 734 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 425 hp for the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and 425 hp for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 80 gallons versus 72 gallons in the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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

Model246 SSi Sportboat

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 10.75 in. (1.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.5

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches58.75

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

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

Weight - kg2147.3

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.4734

Weight - lbs.5540

Length - Meters6.96

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches10

Length - Inchesnot available

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

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

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.96

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches274

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal80

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peoplenot available

Headroomnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in.

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 4 734 lbs dry weight versus 5 540 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 80 gallons, versus 72 gallons on the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs ← Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs