Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004
2004
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VS
Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011
2011
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Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 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 Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries a rated maximum of 320 hp. Engine data for the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 carries 143 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011. 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 Boats 420 Premiere 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
Makenot available
Model280 SSi Sportboat
Modelnot available
Model Year2004
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)
Beam13.32 ft
Beam - Meters2.82
Beam - Meters4.06
Beam - Inches111
Beam - Inches160
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.46
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches97
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.53
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches21
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail3.74 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches45
Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg3084.43
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.68
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.31 m)
Length overall - Detail42.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.38
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Inches33
Length overall - Inches504
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet42
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard375 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal143
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVOLVO
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVOLVO
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass
Headnot available
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Water capacity77
Maximum peopleYacht Certified
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail9.5 gal. (36 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal9.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 — Common Questions

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has a documented max rating of 320 hp. Engine specifications for the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 measures 160" wide, compared to 111" for the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011?
The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011. That 140-gallon difference translates to roughly 420–700 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral Boats 420 Premiere 2011 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.