Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 56 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 12. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007

2007

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 220 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 measures 27,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 at 21,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 365 lbs — 309 lbs less than the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 at 56 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008'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 SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 carries 56 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007. 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 SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model250 Signature Cruiser

ModelSSi 220 Bow Rider

Model Year2007

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.77

Bridge clearance - Meters2.57

Bridge clearance - Inches109

Bridge clearance - Inches101

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches17

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail5,600 lbs. (2,540 kg)

Weight - Detail3,650 lbs. (1,656 kg)

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg1655.61

Weight - lbs.56

Weight - lbs.365

Length - Meters8.23

Length - Meters6.55

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet21

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 9 in. (7.24 m)

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches258

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp DP

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal56

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity4

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,874 lbs

Maximum capacity1,625 lbs. (737.1 kg)

Maximum people1

Maximum people12

Holding tank capacity - DetailWith Standard Porta-Pottie: 3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 10 gal. (38 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 has the edge at 56 lbs dry weight versus 365 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 12. 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 56 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 220 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 250 Signature Cruiser 2007 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 220 Bow Rider 2008 full specs