Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007
2007
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VS
Chaparral SSi 216 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 216 2009
2009
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Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 216 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 216 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 measures 28,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 216 2009 at 21,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 216 2009 tips the scales at 343 lbs — 290 lbs less than the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 53 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has a 75-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 216 2009's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 7 gal and 4 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSi 216 2009 at 21,0 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
MakeChaparral
Model274 Sunesta Deckboat
ModelSSi 216
Model Year2007
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 Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.44 m) Without Tower: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches16
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Weight - Detail3,430 lbs. (1,556 kg)
Weight - kg2404.04
Weight - kg1555.82
Weight - lbs.53
Weight - lbs.343
Length - Meters8.61
Length - Meters6.55
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet21
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches6
Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 3 in. (8.61 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L GL SX 220 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (114 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Operational Info
Head1
Headnot available
Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs. (680.4 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people11

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSi 216 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 216 2009?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 216 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 216 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 343 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 216 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 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 216 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 216 2009 carry?
The Chaparral SSi 216 2009 has an official capacity rating of 11 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 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 216 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 2007 or the Chaparral SSi 216 2009?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 7 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 216 2009. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and Chaparral SSi 216 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral SSi 216 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.