Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has the edge at 554 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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 SSi 255 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 255 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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 SSi 255 2009. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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

ModelSSi 255

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.554

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

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has the edge at 554 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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 SSi 255 2009 full specs