Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chaparral SSi 206 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Chaparral SSi 206 2009 against a deep vee Chaparral SSX 236 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 SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 22,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 206 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). At 32 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 375 hp, the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 has a 105-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 206 2009's 270-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 236 Bow Rider 2008 carries 55 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 206 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral SSi 206 2009 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Chaparral SSX 236 Bow Rider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chaparral SSi 206 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
ModelSSi 206
ModelSSX 236 Bow Rider
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 4 in. (2.44 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches1
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 93 in. (2.36 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 55 in. (1.4 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 - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Inches93
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail13 in. (33 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.33
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches13
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail3,200 lbs. (1,452 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg1451.49
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.32
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Meters6.25
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]20 ft. 6 in. (6.25 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max270 hp (201 kW)
Engine max375 hp (280 kW)
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,260 lbs. (571.5 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs
Maximum people9
Maximum people12
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8