Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats Vortex VRX 223 Surf 2019 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats Vortex VRX 223 Surf 2019 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 400 hp, the Chaparral Boats Vortex VRX 223 Surf 2019 has a 25-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.
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 Boats Vortex VRX 223 Surf 2019 caps at 7. 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 Boats Vortex VRX 223 Surf 2019 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
Makenot available
Model254 Sunesta Deckboat
Modelnot available
Model Year2004
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 9 in. (1.75 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.75
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches69
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise17℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1973.13
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.435
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 0.5 in. (7.94 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail23.00 ft
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches276
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 - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max375 hp (280 kw)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeBRP
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower400 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed with Porta-Pottie
Headnot available
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum people15
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters53
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower