Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 204 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 343 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. 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 204 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 passengers can the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 204 2009 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 1" for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. 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 204 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 204 2009 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 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 204 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 204 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 204 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 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 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 204 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 SSi 204 2009 carries 51 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 204 2009 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model274 Sunesta Deckboat

ModelSSi 204

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches1

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

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.68

Bridge clearance - Meters2.08

Bridge clearance - Inches66

Bridge clearance - Inches82

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise20℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] inches18

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

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

Weight - Detail3,430 lbs. (1,556 kg)

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg1555.82

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.343

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

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 3 in. (6.48 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.97

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (5.97 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters5.97

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches235

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: 260 hp Volve: 270 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L GL SX 220 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Engine max375 hp (280 kw)

Engine max300 hp (224 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 capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum people1

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

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (623.7 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 204 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 204 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 343 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. 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 204 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 passengers can the Chaparral SSi 204 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 204 2009 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 1" for the Chaparral SSi 204 2009. 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 204 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 204 2009 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005. That 44-gallon difference translates to roughly 132–220 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and Chaparral SSi 204 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 204 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 204 2009 full specs