Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Chaparral SSX 236 2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSX 236 2009
2009
View full specs →

Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 against a deep vee Chaparral SSX 236 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 at 27,0 ft versus Chaparral SSX 236 2009 at 24,0 ft. At 69 lbs and 44 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 375 hp for the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 and 375 hp for the Chaparral SSX 236 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 at 27,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 at 24,0 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
ModelSignature 250 Cruiser
ModelSSX 236
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 9 ft. 1 in. (2.77 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.77
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Inches109
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches33
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail6,900 lbs. (3,130 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg3129.78
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.69
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Meters8.23
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet24
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines1
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi DP drive 270 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Operational Info
Head1
Headnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Headroomnot available
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacity22 gal. (83 l)
Water capacitynot available
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Maximum people12
Holding tank capacity - DetailWith Standard Porta-Pottie: 3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)

Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?
The Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 27,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?
For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 69 lbs for the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008. 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.
How many passengers can the Chaparral SSX 236 2009 carry?
The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2009?
The Chaparral SSX 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 and Chaparral SSX 236 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral Signature 250 Cruiser 2008 and the Chaparral SSX 236 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.