Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,5 feet overall. The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 21,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 97 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 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 246 SSi WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 tops out at 270 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 WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 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 WT 2012 vs Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 measures 24,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 at 3,0 feet (2008). At 44 lbs and 97 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008's 270-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 Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 carries 115 gallons versus 65 gallons in the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 at 24,5 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 at 3,0 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 WT

ModelSignature 290 Cruiser

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches12

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Meters3.05

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Bridge clearance - Inches12

Deadrise21°

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches25

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches33

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

Weight - Detail9,700 lbs. (4,400 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg4399.84

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.97

Length - Feet24.5

Length - Feet3

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 8 in. (9.35 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.35

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches8

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail65 gal. (246 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail115 gal. (435 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters246.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters435.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal65

Fuel tank capacity - Gal115

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine maxTwin 270 hp (201 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardTwin Volvo 4.3 GXi MPi SX drive 225 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityOptional: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity24 gal. (91 l)

Maximum people14 or 2,006 lbs

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

Head1

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 vs Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 24,5 feet overall. The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 21,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 97 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 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 246 SSi WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 tops out at 270 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 WT 2012 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 or the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008?

The Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 115 gallons, versus 65 gallons on the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2012 and the Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 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 WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral Signature 290 Cruiser 2008 full specs