Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 73 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011. 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 287 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 525 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 tops out at 430 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 share an 9 ft. (2.74 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and the Chaparral 287 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 285 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2013

Chaparral

Chaparral 285 SSi 2011

2011

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Chaparral

Chaparral 287 SSX 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 against a deep vee Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 measures 28,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 at 22,0 feet (2011). At 73 lbs and 68 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 525 hp, the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 has a 95-hp advantage over the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011's 430-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 105 gal and 102 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 at 28,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 at 22,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model285 SSi

Model287 SSX

Model Year2011

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Inches108

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Arch: 6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 11 in. (2.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 9 in. (2.67 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Meters2.67

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Bridge clearance - Inches105

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches2

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

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

Weight - kg3311.22

Weight - kg3084.43

Weight - lbs.73

Weight - lbs.68

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet28.83

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail102 gal. (386 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47

Fuel tank capacity - Liters386.11

Fuel tank capacity - Gal105

Fuel tank capacity - Gal102

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max430 hp (321 kW)

Engine max525 hp (391 kW)

Operational Info

Headroom5 ft. 3 in. (1.60 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail4 gal. (15 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal4

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 vs Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,8 feet overall. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

For trailering, the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 has the edge at 68 lbs dry weight versus 73 lbs for the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011. 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 287 SSX 2013 is rated to a maximum of 525 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 tops out at 430 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 share an 9 ft. (2.74 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 or the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013?

The Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 has the bigger tank at 105 gallons, versus 102 gallons on the Chaparral 287 SSX 2013. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 285 SSi 2011 and the Chaparral 287 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 285 SSi 2011 full specs ← Chaparral 287 SSX 2013 full specs