Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Premiere 420 2012
2012
View full specs →
VS
Chaparral SSX 256 2010 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSX 256 2010
2010
View full specs →

Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 measures 42,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 15,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSX 256 2010 at 26,4 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 tips the scales at 237 lbs — 184 lbs more than the Chaparral SSX 256 2010 at 53 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 1 340-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 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 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
MakeChaparral
ModelPremiere 42
ModelSSX 256
Model Year2012
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 - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 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 - Meters3.78
Bridge clearance - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Inches149
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 - Detail23,700 lbs. (10,750 kg)
Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)
Weight - kg10750.13
Weight - kg2404.04
Weight - lbs.237
Weight - lbs.53
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet26.42
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. (12.8 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
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 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 capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?
The Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 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 is easier to trailer — the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2010?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 256 2010 has the edge at 53 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 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 420 2012 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 420 2012. 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 2012 and Chaparral SSX 256 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Premiere 420 2012 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.