Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 420 2012
2012
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VS
Chaparral SSi 196 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 196 2009
2009
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Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 196 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 against a modified vee Chaparral SSi 196 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 measures 42,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 23,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 196 2009 at 19,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 tips the scales at 237 lbs — 234 lbs more than the Chaparral SSi 196 2009 at 3 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 2012 has a 1 515-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 196 2009's 225-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 SSi 196 2009 carries 32 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. 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 2012 at 42,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSi 196 2009 at 19,0 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
ModelSSi 196
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)
Beam8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters4.06
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches16
Beam - Inches96
Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Tower: 4 ft. 7 in. (1.4 m) With Tower: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.78
Bridge clearance - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Inches149
Bridge clearance - Inches93
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches45
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)
Weight - Detail3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg)
Weight - kg10750.13
Weight - kg1360.78
Weight - lbs.237
Weight - lbs.3
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet19
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. (12.8 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 6 in. (5.94 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches13
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters5.94
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
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 - Detail32 gal. (121 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal32
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typeI/O
Engine max1,740 hp (1,298 kW)
Engine max225 hp (168 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3L GL SX 190 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 people9
Holding tank capacity - Detail42 gal. (159 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters158.99
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,260 lbs. (571.5 kg)

Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 196 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 196 2009?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 196 2009 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 23,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 196 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 196 2009 has the edge at 3 lbs dry weight versus 237 lbs for the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. 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 2012 is rated to a maximum of 1 740 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 196 2009 tops out at 225 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 SSi 196 2009 carry?
The Chaparral SSi 196 2009 has an official capacity rating of 9 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 SSi 196 2009 measures 96" wide, compared to 16" for the Chaparral Premiere 420 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 Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 196 2009?
The Chaparral SSi 196 2009 has the bigger tank at 32 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. That 29-gallon difference translates to roughly 87–145 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 and Chaparral SSi 196 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 196 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.