Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 435 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 320 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 2005 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008's 320-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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model255 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 236 Bow Rider

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Weight - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.435

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Arch: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Arch: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

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 - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Headroom4 ft. 5 in

Headroomnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs. (750.7 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

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 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 435 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 320 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 SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 2005 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 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 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 236 Bow Rider 2008 full specs