Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,5 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 47 lbs for the Chaparral 257 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 257 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 tops out at 300 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 257 SSX 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 is certified for 12. 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 257 SSX 2013 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 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 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 and the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 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 257 SSX 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 257 SSX 2013

2013

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 measures 25,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 at 22,0 feet (2009). At 47 lbs and 43 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has a 130-hp advantage over the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009's 300-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 257 SSX 2013 carries 72 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009. 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 257 SSX 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 25,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model257 SSX

ModelSunesta 224 Xtreme

Model Year2013

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) With Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.72 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 62 in. (1.57 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise22.5°

Deadrise18℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches24

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 - Detail4,700 lbs. (2,132 kg)

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg2131.88

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.47

Weight - lbs.43

Length - Feet25.5

Length - Feet22

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters6.81

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L GXi MPi DP 270 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum people14

Maximum people12

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

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,750 lbs. (793.8 kg)

Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 25,5 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 3,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 47 lbs for the Chaparral 257 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 257 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 tops out at 300 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 257 SSX 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 is certified for 12. 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 257 SSX 2013 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 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 257 SSX 2013 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 257 SSX 2013 and the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 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 257 SSX 2013 full specs ← Chaparral Sunesta 224 Xtreme 2009 full specs