Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the edge at 73 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: 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 tops out at 425 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 94-gallon difference translates to roughly 282–470 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 525 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004's 425-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 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 and its 525-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 425-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model285 SSX

Model Year2004

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

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise22°

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

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

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.73

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

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

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches107

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 - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28.83

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine max525 hp (391 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

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

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the edge at 73 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.

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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 tops out at 425 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004. That 94-gallon difference translates to roughly 282–470 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 full specs