Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 186 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 186 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 285 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 186 2011. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 tops out at 225 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 SSi 186 2011 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 has an official capacity rating of 9 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral SSi 186 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 186 2011?

The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 186 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 186 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 186 2011

Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 186 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 186 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 186 2011 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has a 150-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 186 2011's 225-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 SSi 186 2011 carries 25 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and its 375-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 186 2011 with its 225-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSSi 186

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches96

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise18°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.33

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches13

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

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches32

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

Weight - Detail2,850 lbs. (1,293 kg)

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg1292.74

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.285

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

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19.5

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.94 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.94

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches234

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (95 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine maxnot available

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower225 hp (168 kW)

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Porta-Pottie

Headnot available

Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum people9 or 1,260 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

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 186 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 186 2011?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 285 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 186 2011. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 tops out at 225 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 SSi 186 2011 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 has an official capacity rating of 9 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 measures 102" wide, compared to 96" for the Chaparral SSi 186 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 186 2011?

The Chaparral SSi 186 2011 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 186 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 186 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 186 2011 full specs