Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 475 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Chaparral 256 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 375 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

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

Both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 246 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 246 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008's 375-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 246 Bow Rider 2008 carries 72 gallons versus 8 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model256 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 246 Bow Rider

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.62 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.63

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inches64

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise22℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg)

Weight - kg2245.28

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - lbs.495

Weight - lbs.475

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 11 in. (7.59 m)

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.37

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches29

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.59

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches11

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 standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Head1

Water capacity10 gal. (37.85 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum people14

Maximum people13

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (23.95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,755 lbs. (796.1 kg)

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 475 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Chaparral 256 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 375 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 people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

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

Both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 246 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 246 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 full specs