Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a documented max rating of 640 hp. Engine specifications for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 is certified for 7. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006

Chaparral

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 carries a rated maximum of 640 hp. Engine data for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 carries 143 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 Year2006

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 Radar Arch: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m) Without Radar 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 - Meters8.38

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot 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. (8.38 m)

Length overall - Detail26.00 ft

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Meters7.92

Length overall - Inches33

Length overall - Inches312

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Engine max640 hp (478 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makevolvo

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Water capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum peoplenot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a documented max rating of 640 hp. Engine specifications for the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 is certified for 7. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006. 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 2006 and Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 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 2006 full specs ← Chaparral Boats 256 SSi 2006 full specs