Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 270 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

The Chaparral Signature 270 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral Signature 270 2012 has the edge at 69 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 270 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 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 Signature 270 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Signature 270 2012. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral Signature 270 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral Signature 270 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 270 2012

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral Signature 270 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 270 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 against a deep vee Chaparral Signature 270 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Signature 270 2012 measures 27,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 22,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 4 734 lbs — 4 665 lbs more than the Chaparral Signature 270 2012 at 69 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Chaparral Signature 270 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Signature 270 2012. 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 Signature 270 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Signature 270 2012 at 27,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 22,0 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

Model246 SSi Sportboat

ModelSignature 27

Model Year2006

Model Year2012

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 - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.5

Bridge clearance - Meters2.77

Bridge clearance - Inches58.75

Bridge clearance - Inches109

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches33

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

Weight - Detail6,900 lbs. (3,130 kg)

Weight - kg2147.3

Weight - kg3129.78

Weight - lbs.4734

Weight - lbs.69

Length - Meters6.96

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet27

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. (8.23 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 typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

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 - Gal8

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity22 gal. (83 l)

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

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

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Signature 270 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

The Chaparral Signature 270 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

For trailering, the Chaparral Signature 270 2012 has the edge at 69 lbs dry weight versus 4 734 lbs for the Chaparral 246 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 270 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 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 Signature 270 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Signature 270 2012?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Signature 270 2012. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral Signature 270 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral Signature 270 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2006 full specs ← Chaparral Signature 270 2012 full specs