Chaparral SSi 236  2009 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral SSi 236 2009
2009
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VS
Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 boat specs
Chaparral
Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008
2008
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Chaparral SSi 236 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral SSi 236 2009 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral SSi 236 2009 at 24,0 ft versus Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 tips the scales at 435 lbs — 391 lbs more than the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 at 44 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 and 320 hp for the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008. 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 SSi 236 2009 carries 55 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeChaparral
MakeChaparral
ModelSSi 236
ModelSunesta 244 Wide-Tech
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
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 Wakeboard Tower: 7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.71 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 56 in. (1.42 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Meters2.72
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Bridge clearance - Inches107
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (56 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - Detail4,350 lbs. (1,973 kg)
Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)
Weight - kg1973.13
Weight - kg1995.8
Weight - lbs.435
Weight - lbs.44
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Meters7.42
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches4
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi SX 300 hp
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Engine max320 hp (239 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,655 lbs. (750.7 kg)
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs
Maximum people12
Maximum people12
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. (24.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral SSi 236 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008?
For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 435 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 236 2009. 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 people can each boat hold?
The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 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 236 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008?
The Chaparral SSi 236 2009 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008. That 49-gallon difference translates to roughly 147–245 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 and Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 236 2009 and the Chaparral Sunesta 244 Wide-Tech 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.