Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 420 2011
2011
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VS
Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008
2008
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Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 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 Premiere 420 2011 measures 42,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 at 26,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 tips the scales at 237 lbs — 183 lbs more than the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 at 54 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 1 740 hp, the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 has a 1 365-hp advantage over the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008'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 Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 carries 8 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 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
MakeChaparral
ModelPremiere 42
ModelSunesta 264 Wide-Tech
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
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 - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 92 in. (2.34 m) Without Arch: 63 in. (1.6 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.78
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Inches149
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 - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)
Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. (2,449 kg)
Weight - kg10750.13
Weight - kg2449.4
Weight - lbs.237
Weight - lbs.54
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet26
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. (13 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 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
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.03
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
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 max1,740 hp (1,298 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp
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) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal42
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Headnot available
Head1
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 has the edge at 54 lbs dry weight versus 237 lbs for the Chaparral Premiere 420 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 Premiere 420 2011 is rated to a maximum of 1 740 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 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 Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011. 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 420 2011 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011. 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 420 2011 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 420 2011 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Wide-Tech 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.