Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 has the edge at 54 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 Sunesta 264 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 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 passengers can the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

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 Sunesta 264 2009. 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 Sunesta 264 2009?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. That 135-gallon difference translates to roughly 405–675 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004

2004

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 — 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 Sunesta 264 2009 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 425 hp, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 has a 105-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 8 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. 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 Sunesta 264 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 and its 425-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

Model280 SSi Sportboat

ModelSunesta 264

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

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 Arch: 92 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch: 63 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.46

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches97

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise22℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - kg2449.4

Weight - lbs.68

Weight - lbs.54

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 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 - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.03

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard375 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine maxTwin 320 hp (Twin 239 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum peopleYacht certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal9.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 has the edge at 54 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 Sunesta 264 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 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 passengers can the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 carry?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 measures 111" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. 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 Sunesta 264 2009?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009. That 135-gallon difference translates to roughly 405–675 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 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.

← Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2004 full specs ← Chaparral Sunesta 264 2009 full specs