Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007
2007
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VS
Chaparral SSX 236 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSX 236 2009
2009
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Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSX 236 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 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 at 24,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 tips the scales at 5 300 lbs - 900 lbs more than the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 at 4 400 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 375 hp for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and 375 hp for the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. 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 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 carries 70 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. 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 2007 at 28,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 at 24,0 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
ModelSSX 236
Model Year2007
Model Year2009
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: 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] - Detail23 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg2404.04
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.5300
Weight - lbs.4400
Length - Meters8.61
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches1
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)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerc 5.7L 300 hp B3
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp
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 - Gal70
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 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 capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people12

Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 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 SSX 236 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has the edge at 4 400 lbs dry weight versus 5 300 lbs for the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007. 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 2009 carry?
The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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 2007 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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 2007 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?
The Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 has the bigger tank at 70 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. That 15-gallon difference translates to roughly 45–75 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Chaparral 274 Sunesta Deckboat 2007 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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.