Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 475 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 tops out at 375 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 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 2007 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 24,0 ft versus Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 4 800 lbs less than the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 475 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 SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007's 375-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 2007 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated for up to 12 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model246 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 256 Bow Rider

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg)

Weight - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.475

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Meters7.59

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches11

Length - Inches5

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)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp

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

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Operational Info

Head1

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)<br<Holding Tank w/ Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (23.95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the edge at 475 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 tops out at 375 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 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2007 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 2007 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 full specs