Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 79 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 — 425 hp for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and 425 hp for the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 79 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model260 SSi Sportboat

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise22℃

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.52

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

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 9 in. (8.46 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches306

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail79 gal. (299 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters299.05

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal79

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury: 300 hp Volvo: 280 hp

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Headroomnot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people14

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

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

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Body / Hull

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004?

For trailering, the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the edge at 52 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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.

How many passengers can the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 79 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 71-gallon difference translates to roughly 213–355 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs