Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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 passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 64 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. That 56-gallon difference translates to roughly 168–280 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 WT 2013 at 24,5 ft versus Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 5 231 lbs less than the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 at 44 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013'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 2013 carries 64 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model246 SSi WT

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2013

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) With Arch Tower: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m) With Arch Tower Folded: 6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise21°

Deadrise22.5℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

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

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Feet24.5

Length - Feet26

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail64 gal. (242 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters242.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal64

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp DP

Operational Info

Maximum people14 / 2,006 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 ) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 vs Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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 passengers can the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 carry?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 WT 2013 or the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007?

The Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 has the bigger tank at 64 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. That 56-gallon difference translates to roughly 168–280 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 246 SSi WT 2013 and the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 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 2013 full specs ← Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 full specs