Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 68 lbs for the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 111" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. That 88-gallon difference translates to roughly 264–440 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 236 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has a 55-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 55 gallons in the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. 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 SSX 236 2007 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 SSX 236 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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 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

Model280 SSi Sportboat

ModelSSX 236

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches111

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 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 - Meters2.46

Bridge clearance - Meters2.39

Bridge clearance - Inches97

Bridge clearance - Inches94

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise20℃

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] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches22

Weight - Detail6,800 lbs. (3,084 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.68

Weight - lbs.44

Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 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

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters88.9

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches35

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.34

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard375 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0L 270 hp SX

Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum people12

Holding tank capacity - Detail9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal9.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,600 lbs

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 68 lbs for the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004. 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 SSX 236 2007 is rated to a maximum of 375 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 111" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. 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 SSX 236 2007?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 236 2007. That 88-gallon difference translates to roughly 264–440 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral SSX 236 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2007 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.

← Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 236 2007 full specs