Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006
2006
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VS
Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007
2007
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Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 measures 28,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 24,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 745 lbs — 702 lbs less than the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 43 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 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006's 375-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 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 carries 87 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 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 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 270 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 270 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
MakeChaparral
Model252 Sunesta Deckboat
Model270 Signature Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 5 in. (1.65 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m) Without Arch: 7 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Meters2.97
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Bridge clearance - Inches117
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
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] - 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 - Detail7,450 lbs. (3,379 kg)
Weight - kg1950.45
Weight - kg3379.26
Weight - lbs.43
Weight - lbs.745
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Meters8.81
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 11 in. (8.81 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches11
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail87 gal. (329 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters329.33
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal87
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max425 hp (317 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 300 hp B3
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie
Head1
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Maximum capacity2,105 lbs
Maximum capacity1,874 lbs
Maximum people15
Maximum people1
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007?
The Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007?
For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 745 lbs for the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 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 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 tops out at 375 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 is certified for 1. 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007?
The Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 87 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and the Chaparral 270 Signature Cruiser 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.