Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 32,4 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has the edge at 102 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 327 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 860 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 425 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012. 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 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 15 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 327 SSX 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral 327 SSX 2012

2012

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 327 SSX 2012 measures 32,4 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 at 26,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 5 173 lbs less than the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 at 102 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 860 hp, the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has a 435-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008's 425-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 327 SSX 2012 carries 15 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 at 32,4 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 at 26,0 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

Model327 SSX

ModelSSi 256 Bow Rider

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters3.05

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches12

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Hardtop: 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters3

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches118

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise22°

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail38.5 in. (98 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches38.5

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail10,200 lbs. (4,627 kg)

Weight - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - kg4626.64

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.102

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Feet32.42

Length - Feet26

Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 6 in. (9.91 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max860 hp (641 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity25 gal. (95 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail15 gal (57 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (23.95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters56.78

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal15

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Headnot available

Head1

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 is the longer of the two at 32,4 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 6,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has the edge at 102 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. 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 327 SSX 2012 is rated to a maximum of 860 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 425 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 12" for the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012. 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 327 SSX 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 has the bigger tank at 15 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 327 SSX 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 327 SSX 2012 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 full specs