Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004
2004
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VS
Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006
2006
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Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and 375 hp for the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 carries 55 gallons versus 17 gallons in the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model252 Sunesta Deckboat
Model330 Signature Cruiser
Model Year2004
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. 3 in. (3.43 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.43
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches135
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Meters3.4
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Bridge clearance - Inches134
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (64 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches25
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)
Weight - Detail13,400 lbs. (6,078 kg)
Weight - kg1950.45
Weight - kg6078.13
Weight - lbs.43
Weight - lbs.134
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.67
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet35
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 0 in. (10.67 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters10.67
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches42
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail170 gal. (644 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters643.52
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal17
Engine max375 hp (280 kw)
Engine maxTwin 375 hp (Twin 280 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie
HeadEnclosed fiberglass with pressurized shower
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity45 gal. (170 l)
Maximum people15
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters53
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Gal14
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity6
Body / Hull
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 134 lbs for the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 is certified for 10. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 measures 135" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006?
The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 17 gallons on the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006. That 38-gallon difference translates to roughly 114–190 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 330 Signature Cruiser 2006 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.