Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 226 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 52 lbs for the Chaparral 260 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 226 2011?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 79 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 226 2011. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 226 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 226 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 are modified vee designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 has a 125-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 226 2011'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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 carries 79 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 226 2011. 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 260 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 226 2011 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

Model260 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSi 226

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise20°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches34

Weight - Detail5,200 lbs. (2,359 kg)

Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)

Weight - kg2358.68

Weight - kg1769.01

Weight - lbs.52

Weight - lbs.39

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 9 in. (8.46 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.77 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters6.86

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches27

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet22.5

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 300 hp Volvo: 280 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail79 gal. (299 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters299.05

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal79

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max425 hp (317 kw)

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum people14

Maximum people12 or 1,650 lbs

Holding tank capacity - Detail14 gal. (53 l) - Optional

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 226 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 has the edge at 39 lbs dry weight versus 52 lbs for the Chaparral 260 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 226 2011?

The Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 has the bigger tank at 79 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 226 2011. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 226 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 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 260 SSi Sportboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 226 2011 full specs