Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 4 950 lbs dry weight versus 7 300 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 80 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is a modified-V design and the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 525 hp, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has a 100-hp advantage over the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005'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 80 gallons in the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for up to 14 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 wasn't available.

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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 with its 425-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model285 SSX

Model Year2005

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 - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.62 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches64

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] inches20

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 - Detail4,950 lbs. (2,245 kg)

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

Weight - kg2245.28

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.4950

Weight - lbs.7300

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)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 2 in. (7.36 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches290

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28.83

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 300 hp Volvo: 280 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

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 - Gal80

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

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum people14

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.70 l) - Optional

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal20

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the edge at 4 950 lbs dry weight versus 7 300 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 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.

How many passengers can the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 carry?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 has an official capacity rating of 14 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison - verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 measures 108" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 102 gallons, versus 80 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 full specs