Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006
2006
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VS
Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008
2008
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Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 at 24,0 ft. At 4 600 lbs and 4 700 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 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has a 55-hp advantage over the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008's 320-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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 carries 70 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008. 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 Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model274 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.71 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 56 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Meters2.72
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Bridge clearance - Inches107
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)
Weight - Detail4,700 lbs. (2,132 kg)
Weight - kg2086.52
Weight - kg2131.88
Weight - lbs.4600
Weight - lbs.4700
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters7.42
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet24
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal70
Fuel tank capacity - Gal60
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi DP drive 270 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed w/ porta-pottie
Head1
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Maximum people12
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs.
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer - the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the edge at 4 600 lbs dry weight versus 4 700 lbs for the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008. 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 2006 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 tops out at 320 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008. That 10-gallon difference translates to roughly 30–50 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2006 and the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Xtreme Wide-Tech 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.