Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 4 525 lbs dry weight versus 7 300 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011. 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 285 SSi 2011 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has an official capacity rating of 15 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 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 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSi 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSi 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSi 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 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 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 measures 26,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 at 22,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 tips the scales at 7 300 lbs - 2 775 lbs less than the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 4 525 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 430 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007'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 285 SSi 2011 carries 105 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for up to 15 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 at 22,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model252 Sunesta Deckboat

Model285 SSi

Model Year2007

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches108

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Arch: 6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise22°

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] inches20

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail4,525 lbs. (2,053 kg)

Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)

Weight - kg2052.5

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.4525

Weight - lbs.7300

Length - Meters7.95

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet22

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 1 in. (7.95 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp SX

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal105

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Maximum capacity2,105 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people15

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 GAL. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail4 gal. (15 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal4

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.60 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 comes in at 22,0 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 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 4 525 lbs dry weight versus 7 300 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011. 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 285 SSi 2011 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 passengers can the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has an official capacity rating of 15 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2007 and Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 252 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 full specs