Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005
2005
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VS
Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006
2006
View full specs →

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 310 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006'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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 carries 147 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 310 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 310 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
Model310 Signature Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam10 ft. 7.5 in. (3.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.25
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches127.5
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m) Without Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8.5 in. (2.35 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Meters3.4
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Bridge clearance - Inches134
Deadrise17℃
Deadrise18℃
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 - Detail11,395 lbs. (5,169 kg)
Weight - kg1950.45
Weight - kg5168.68
Weight - lbs.43
Weight - lbs.11395
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 - Meters10.17
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet33
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4.5
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 4.5 in. (10.17 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters10.19
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches400.5
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 - Detail147 gal. (556 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters556.46
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal147
Engine max375 hp (280 kw)
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kW)
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie
HeadEnclosed fiberglass with shower
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 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. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
Body / Hull
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 11 395 lbs for the Chaparral 310 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.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 310 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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 measures 128" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 2005 or the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006?
The Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 147 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 92-gallon difference translates to roughly 276–460 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral 310 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.