Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 475 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 246 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 SSX 256 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 375 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSX 256 2009 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 256 2009. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSX 256 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 256 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2009 — A Close Look at Two Deep Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 at 24,0 ft versus Chaparral SSX 256 2009 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 422 lbs more than the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 at 53 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 SSX 256 2009 has a 50-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008's 375-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 246 Bow Rider 2008 carries 72 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSX 256 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 is rated for up to 13 people. Passenger data for the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 with its 375-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

ModelSSi 246 Bow Rider

ModelSSX 256

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Meters2.36

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Bridge clearance - Inches93

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22.5℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg)

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

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.475

Weight - lbs.53

Length - Meters7.59

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches11

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 11 in. (7.59 m)

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines1

Max no of enginesnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters272.55

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal72

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max375 hp (280 kW)

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity1,755 lbs. (796.1 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people13

Maximum peopleYacht certified

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (24.6 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral SSX 256 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSX 256 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 475 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 246 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 SSX 256 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 tops out at 375 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 carry?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSX 256 2009 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral SSX 256 2009?

The Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 has the bigger tank at 72 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSX 256 2009. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral SSX 256 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 246 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral SSX 256 2009 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 246 Bow Rider 2008 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 256 2009 full specs