Chaparral SSi 216 2011 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 comes in at 21,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 53 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 256 2007. 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 SSX 256 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 216 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.

Q: How many passengers can the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 has an official capacity rating of 11 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 SSX 256 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 216 2011. 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 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 216 2011. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 and Chaparral SSX 256 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2007 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 216 2011 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2007

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 216 2011

2011

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 256 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 216 2011 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 measures 26,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 at 21,5 feet (2011). At 35 lbs and 53 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 425 hp, the Chaparral SSX 256 2007 has a 125-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 216 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 SSX 256 2007 carries 8 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 216 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 is rated for up to 11 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral SSX 256 2007 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 at 21,5 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

ModelSSi 216

ModelSSX 256

Model Year2011

Model Year2007

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: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.214 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.21

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches87

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise20°

Deadrise22.5℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)

Weight - Detail5,300 lbs. (2,404 kg)

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.53

Length - Feet21.5

Length - Feet26

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters91.44

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches36

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L 280 hp DP

Operational Info

Maximum people11 or 1,500 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral SSi 216 2011 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 comes in at 21,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 has the edge at 35 lbs dry weight versus 53 lbs for the Chaparral SSX 256 2007. 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 SSX 256 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 216 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 216 2011 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 216 2011 has an official capacity rating of 11 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 SSX 256 2007 measures 102" wide, compared to 1" for the Chaparral SSi 216 2011. 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 216 2011 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2007?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2007 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 216 2011. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 and Chaparral SSX 256 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 216 2011 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2007 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 216 2011 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 256 2007 full specs