Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006
2006
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VS
Chaparral Sunesta 224  2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009
2009
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Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 24,0 ft versus Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 at 22,0 ft. At 43 lbs and 4 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has a 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009's 300-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 2006 carries 55 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 224 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 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 caps at 12. 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 Sunesta 224 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model252 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSunesta 224
Model Year2006
Model Year2009
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 Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.72 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 62 in. (1.57 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.65
Bridge clearance - Meters2.72
Bridge clearance - Inches65
Bridge clearance - Inches107
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)
Weight - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Weight - kg1950.45
Weight - kg1814.37
Weight - lbs.43
Weight - lbs.4
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Meters6.81
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet22
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 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 - Inches4
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L GXi MPi SX 270 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie
Headnot available
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Maximum capacity2,105 lbs
Maximum capacity1,750 lbs. (793.8 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people12
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009?
The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 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 Sunesta 224 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 has the edge at 4 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 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 Sunesta 224 2009 tops out at 300 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 Sunesta 224 2009 is certified for 12. 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 Sunesta 224 2009 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 Sunesta 224 2009?
The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and the Chaparral Sunesta 224 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.