Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. 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 SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 tops out at 375 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 measures 142" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral SSi 255 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 255 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005

2005

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 255 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 255 2009 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005's 375-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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 carries 24 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

Model350 Signature Cruiser

ModelSSi 255

Model Year2005

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters3.61

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches142

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters3.4

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Inches134

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - DetailS-Drive: 25 in. (64 cm)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches25

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - DetailV-Drive: 38 in. (0.97 m) S-Drive: 33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail15,000 lbs. (6,804 kg)

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - kg6803.88

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - lbs.15

Weight - lbs.554

Length [over all with swim platform]37 ft. (11.28 m)

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

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Body / Hull

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury: Twin 300 hp Volvo: Twin 280 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail240 gal. (908 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters908.5

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Engine maxTwin 375 hp (Twin 280 kw)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

HeadEnclosed Fiberglass with Pressurized Shower

Headnot available

Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Sleeping capacity6

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 vs Chaparral SSi 255 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. 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 SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 tops out at 375 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 measures 142" wide, compared to 102" for the Chaparral SSi 255 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 or the Chaparral SSi 255 2009?

The Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 has the bigger tank at 24 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 and Chaparral SSi 255 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 and the Chaparral SSi 255 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 350 Signature Cruiser 2005 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 255 2009 full specs