Chaparral SSi 226 2009 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 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 226 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 has the edge at 395 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 226 2009 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 226 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 226 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 226 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 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 226 2009 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 226 2009

2009

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 226 2009 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Chaparral SSi 226 2009 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 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 at 22,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 5 275 lbs — 4 880 lbs less than the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 at 395 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 226 2009'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 226 2009 carries 55 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 226 2009 is rated for up to 12 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 226 2009 at 22,0 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 226

ModelSSi 256 Bow Rider

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.43 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 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] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (87 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail3,950 lbs. (1,792 kg)

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

Weight - kg1791.69

Weight - kg2392.7

Weight - lbs.395

Weight - lbs.5275

Length - Meters6.86

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches6

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 6 in. (6.86 m)

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercruiser 5.0L MPI Alpha 260 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP drive 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Engine max300 hp (224 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines1

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748.4 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people12

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 226 2009 vs Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 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 226 2009 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 has the edge at 395 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 226 2009 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 226 2009 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 226 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 SSi 226 2009 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 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 SSi 226 2009 or the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 226 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 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 SSi 226 2009 and Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 226 2009 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 226 2009 full specs ← Chaparral SSi 256 Bow Rider 2008 full specs