Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 244 Sunesta 2014: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 244 Sunesta 2014 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Chaparral Boats 244 Sunesta 2014's 260-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 65 gal and 63 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 244 Sunesta 2014 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 24,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Boats 244 Sunesta 2014 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
Makenot available
Model246 SSi WT
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail2.92 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.4400
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet24.5
Length - Feet24
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail24.00 ft
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches288
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min1.42 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05
Fuel tank capacity - Liters238.48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal65
Fuel tank capacity - Gal63
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeinboard
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower260 hp
Operational Info
Water capacityOptional: 10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity10
Maximum people14 or 2,006 lbs.
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters14.38
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower