Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 257 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 is certified for 14. 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 257 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 257 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 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 430 hp, the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004'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 257 SSX 2013 carries 72 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 257 SSX 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model254 Sunesta Deckboat

Model257 SSX

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 9 in. (1.75 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) With Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.75

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches69

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise22.5°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches24

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 - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - Detail4,700 lbs. (2,132 kg)

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - kg2131.88

Weight - lbs.435

Weight - lbs.47

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

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volvo: 270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people15

Maximum people14

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the edge at 47 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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 257 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 is certified for 14. 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 17-gallon difference translates to roughly 51–85 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 full specs