Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 400 2009
2009
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VS
Chaparral Sunesta 264  2011 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011
2011
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Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011'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 Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 at 26,3 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
MakeChaparral
ModelPremiere 4
ModelSunesta 264
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters4.06
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches16
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch Tower: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch Tower: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters4.11
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Inches162
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise22°
Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches45
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - DetailTBD
Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)
Length - Meters13
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet26.33
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 0 in. (13 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
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 - kg2449.4
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.54
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches316
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
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
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 capacity14 gal. (53 l)

Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?
The Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 comes in at 26,3 feet, making it roughly 15,7 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 Sunesta 264 2011 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.
How many passengers can the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 carry?
The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 400 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 Premiere 400 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011?
The Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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 Sunesta 264 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 400 2009 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 2011 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.