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

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 9,0 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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 11 395 lbs — 11 352 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 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 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 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 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 Year2006
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
Deadrise18℃
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 - Meters7.32
Length - Meters10.17
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet33
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 4.5 in. (10.17 m)
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters10.19
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inches400.5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4.5
Engine and Drivetrain
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
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kW)
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie
HeadEnclosed fiberglass with shower
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Maximum capacity2,105 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people15
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
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 typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

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

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006?
The Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 9,0 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 310 Signature Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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 2006 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral 310 Signature Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 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.