Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 267 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 267 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 267 2011 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 267 2011 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 267 2011 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 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 267 2011?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 267 2011. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 267 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSX 267 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 267 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 267 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 267 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 267 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and 380 hp for the Chaparral SSX 267 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSX 267 2011. 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 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 267 2011 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 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 SSX 267 2011 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

Model254 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSSX 267

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

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 - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.75

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches69

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise23°

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 - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.435

Weight - lbs.53

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.42

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 - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max380 hp (283 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 capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum people15

Maximum people12 or 1,605 lbs

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

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSX 267 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 267 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 267 2011 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 267 2011 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 267 2011 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 2005 or the Chaparral SSX 267 2011?

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 267 2011. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSX 267 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSX 267 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 267 2011 full specs