Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 comes in at 26,0 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007

2007

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Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007

2007

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 5 222 lbs more than the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 53 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007's 375-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 7 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model256 SSi Sportboat

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Radar Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches18

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 - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.5275

Weight - lbs.53

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Meters8.61

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28

Length - Inches5

Length - Inches3

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp DP

Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 ) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Headnot available

Head1

Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 vs Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 comes in at 26,0 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 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 or the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007. 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 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.

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

Both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 7 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 256 SSi Sportboat 2007 and the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 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 2007 full specs ← Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 full specs