Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022?

The Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 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 WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022

2022

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 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 380 hp, the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 has a 60-hp advantage over the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012's 320-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 WT 2012 carries 65 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 287 SSX 2022 caps at 8. 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 287 SSX 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 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] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet24.5

Length - Feet28

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 - Detail28.00 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.53

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches336

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 - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower380 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityOptional: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity15

Maximum people14 or 2,006 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022?

The Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 tops out at 320 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has the bigger tank at 65 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 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 WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral Boats 287 SSX 2022 full specs