Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats Sunesta 232 Deck Boat 2001 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Boats Sunesta 232 Deck Boat 2001 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and 310 hp for the Chaparral Boats Sunesta 232 Deck Boat 2001. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats Sunesta 232 Deck Boat 2001 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Boats Sunesta 232 Deck Boat 2001 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 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)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.82
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches111
Beam - Inchesnot available
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] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
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 - Detail23.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.38
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches33
Length overall - Inches276
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet23
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 - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal143
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower310 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Operational Info
HeadEnclosed Fiberglass
Headnot available
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Water capacitynot available
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