Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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: How many passengers can the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 236 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and 375 hp for the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 carries 55 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 2007 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSSX 236

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 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 - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches22

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

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

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.44

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

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

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters88.9

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches35

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum people12

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

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters53

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal14

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 46 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. 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.

How many passengers can the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 236 2007 full specs