Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 343 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 1 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 against a deep vee Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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 SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 measures 26,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 4 932 lbs less than the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 at 343 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 425 hp, the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 has a 125-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008'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 204 Bow Rider 2008 carries 51 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 is rated for up to 1 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 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

ModelSSi 204 Bow Rider

ModelSSi 256 Bow Rider

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches1

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 4 in. (1.32 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.08

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches82

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail3,430 lbs. (1,556 kg)

Weight - Detail5,275 lbs. (2,393 kg)

Weight - kg1555.82

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.343

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Meters5.97

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feet19

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches7

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]21 ft. 3 in. (6.48 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 5 in. (8.05 m)

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 7 in. (5.97 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters5.97

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches235

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines1

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GL SX drive 220 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail51 gal. (193 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters193.06

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal51

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,375 lbs. (623.7 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people1

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

Head1

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (23.95 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 19,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 343 lbs dry weight versus 5 275 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 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 204 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 256 Bow Rider 2008 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008. 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 SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 51 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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.

← Chaparral SSi 204 Bow Rider 2008 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 full specs