Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 420 2012
2012
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VS
Chaparral SSi 226 2011 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 226 2011
2011
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Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 against a modified vee Chaparral SSi 226 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 measures 42,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 19,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 at 22,5 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 tips the scales at 237 lbs — 198 lbs more than the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 at 39 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 1 440-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 226 2011's 300-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 226 2011 carries 55 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 226 2011 at 22,5 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 226
Model Year2012
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 - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.78
Bridge clearance - Meters2.21
Bridge clearance - Inches149
Bridge clearance - Inches87
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise20°
Draft [max] - Detail45 in. (114 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches45
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)
Weight - Detail3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg)
Weight - kg10750.13
Weight - kg1769.01
Weight - lbs.237
Weight - lbs.39
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet22.5
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. (12.8 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.41
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [drive up] inches16
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Meters6.86
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Inches27
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 - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typeI/O
Engine max1,740 hp (1,298 kW)
Engine max300 hp (224 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 people12 or 1,650 lbs
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

Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSi 226 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSi 226 2011?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 226 2011 comes in at 22,5 feet, making it roughly 19,5 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 226 2011?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 226 2011 has the edge at 39 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 226 2011 tops out at 300 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 226 2011 carry?
The Chaparral SSi 226 2011 has an official capacity rating of 12 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 226 2011 measures 102" 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 226 2011?
The Chaparral SSi 226 2011 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012. That 52-gallon difference translates to roughly 156–260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 and Chaparral SSi 226 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 and the Chaparral SSi 226 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.