Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 236 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 passengers can the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral SSX 236 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral SSX 236 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 at 26,3 ft versus Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 at 24,0 ft. At 54 lbs and 44 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 400 hp, the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSX 236 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 SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 at 26,3 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 at 24,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model264 Sunesta WT

ModelSSX 236 Bow Rider

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch Tower: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise22°

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.54

Weight - lbs.44

Length - Feet26.33

Length - Feet24

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum people12

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,3 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 54 lbs for the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 236 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 passengers can the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 12 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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

Both the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral SSX 236 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 264 Sunesta WT 2012 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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 264 Sunesta WT 2012 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 full specs