Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?

The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 comes in at 26,4 feet, making it roughly 15,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 is rated to a maximum of 435 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 tops out at 400 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 and Chaparral SSX 256 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2010 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 Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010

Chaparral

Chaparral Premiere 400 2009

2009

View full specs →

Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 256 2010

2010

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 against a modified vee Chaparral SSX 256 2010 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 435 hp, the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSX 256 2010's 400-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 SSX 256 2010 carries 8 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 at 26,4 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

ModelPremiere 4

ModelSSX 256

Model Year2009

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters4.06

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches16

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters4.11

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches162

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise22°

Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters1.14

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches45

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - DetailTBD

Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Length - Meters13

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet42

Length - Feet26.42

Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 0 in. (13 m)

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

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

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches24

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.53

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal3

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeDiesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxTwin 435 hp (twin 320 kW)

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 l)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity6

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water heater capacity77 gal. (291 l)

Water heater capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal42

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?

The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 comes in at 26,4 feet, making it roughly 15,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 is rated to a maximum of 435 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 tops out at 400 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2010 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 and Chaparral SSX 256 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2010 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 Premiere 400 2009 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 256 2010 full specs