Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 against a deep vee Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 at 28,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 554 lbs — 481 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 100-hp advantage over the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006'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 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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

Model255 SSi Sportboat

Model285 SSX

Model Year2006

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 - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft 4 in. (1.63 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise22°

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

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 - Meters8.05

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28.83

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

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)

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

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

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max525 hp (391 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed head w/ sink and faucet

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

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

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 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 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 full specs