Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 236 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 236 2009?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 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 SSi 236 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 has the edge at 435 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 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 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 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 2006 and Chaparral SSi 236 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 236 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral SSi 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral SSi 236 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 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 236 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 236 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 236 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 236 2009 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 SSi 236 2009 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 tips the scales at 554 lbs — 119 lbs more than the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 at 435 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 425 hp, the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 236 2009'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 2009 carries 55 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model255 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 236

Model Year2006

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

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

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise20℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches22

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

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg1973.13

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.435

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet24

Length - Inches5

Length - Inches1

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)

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 - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi SX 300 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed head w/ sink and faucet

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum people12

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,655 lbs. (750.7 kg)

Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral SSi 236 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 236 2009?

The Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 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 SSi 236 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 has the edge at 435 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 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 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 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 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 2006 and Chaparral SSi 236 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral SSi 236 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral SSi 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 255 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral SSi 236 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 2006 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 236 2009 full specs