Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the edge at 73 lbs dry weight versus 485 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 525 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 254 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 254 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 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 254 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2007 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral 285 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 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 at 28,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 tips the scales at 485 lbs — 412 lbs more than the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 at 73 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 525 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has a 150-hp advantage over the Chaparral 254 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 SSX 2013 carries 102 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is rated for up to 15 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 at 28,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 26,0 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

Model254 Sunesta Deckboat

Model285 SSX

Model Year2007

Model Year2013

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. 9 in. (1.75 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.75

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches69

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] inches2

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail4,850 lbs. (2.200 kg)

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

Weight - kg2199.92

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.485

Weight - lbs.73

Length - Meters7.95

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28.83

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 typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMerc 5.0L 260 hp B3

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max525 hp (391 kW)

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum capacity2,035 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 - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the edge at 73 lbs dry weight versus 485 lbs for the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 525 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 254 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carry?

The Chaparral 254 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 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 254 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 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2007 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 254 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral 285 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 full specs