Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 are modified vee designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 860 hp, the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has a 540-hp advantage over the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004'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 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 143 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 wasn't available.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 and its 860-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 with its 320-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
Model280 SSi Sportboat
Model327 SSX
Model Year2004
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.82
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches111
Beam - Inches12
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Hardtop: 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.46
Bridge clearance - Meters3
Bridge clearance - Inches97
Bridge clearance - Inches118
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22°
Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail38.5 in. (98 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches38.5
Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)
Weight - Detail10,200 lbs. (4,627 kg)
Weight - kg3084.43
Weight - kg4626.64
Weight - lbs.68
Weight - lbs.102
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 6 in. (9.91 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.31 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters8.38
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches33
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet32.42
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard375 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal143
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)
Engine max860 hp (641 kW)
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass
Headnot available
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Water capacity25 gal. (95 l)
Maximum peopleYacht Certified
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail9.5 gal. (36 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail15 gal (57 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Liters56.78
Holding tank capacity - Gal9.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal15
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacityYacht certified