Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 180 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 180 2009 tops out at 190 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 is certified for 8. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 86" for the Chaparral SSi 180 2009. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 180 2009?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 180 2009. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 180 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 180 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 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 185-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 180 2009's 190-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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 carries 55 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 180 2009. 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 SSi 180 2009 caps at 8. 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 SSi 180 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSSi 18

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam7 ft. 2 in. (2.18 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.18

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches86

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Meters1.32

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Bridge clearance - Inches52

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg)

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - lbs.43

Weight - lbs.21

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 10 in. (6.05 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.56

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches3

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.56 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches219

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 3.0L GL SX 135 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal23

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max190 hp (142 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people15

Maximum people8

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 180 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 180 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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 SSi 180 2009 tops out at 190 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 SSi 180 2009 is certified for 8. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 86" for the Chaparral SSi 180 2009. 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 SSi 180 2009?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 23 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 180 2009. That 32-gallon difference translates to roughly 96–160 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 180 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 180 2009 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 180 2009 full specs