Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 73 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 640 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 tops out at 525 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 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006 measures 111" wide, compared to 108" for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. That 41-gallon difference translates to roughly 123–205 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 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 285 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006

2006

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Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 at 27,0 ft versus Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 at 28,8 ft. At 68 lbs and 73 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 640 hp, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has a 115-hp advantage over the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013's 525-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 2006 carries 143 gallons versus 102 gallons in the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and its 640-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 with its 525-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model280 SSi Sportboat

Model285 SSX

Model Year2006

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m)

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.82

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches111

Beam - Inches108

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

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.46

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches97

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches2

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - lbs.68

Weight - lbs.73

Length - Meters8.38

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet27

Length - Feet28.83

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.38 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches33

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail143 gal. (541 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters541.31

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal143

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Drive typeI/O

Engine max640 hp (478 kW)

Engine max525 hp (391 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed fiberglass

Headnot available

Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headroomnot available

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

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

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 vs Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 73 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 is rated to a maximum of 640 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 tops out at 525 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 2006 carry?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 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 2006 measures 111" wide, compared to 108" for the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. 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 2006 or the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 has the bigger tank at 143 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013. That 41-gallon difference translates to roughly 123–205 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 280 SSi Sportboat 2006 and the Chaparral 285 SSX 2013 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 285 SSX 2013 full specs