Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2010 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 comes in at 24,7 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 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.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 tops out at 400 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 SSX 236 2010 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 and Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. 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 255 2009 and Chaparral SSX 236 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2010

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 255 2009

2009

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Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 236 2010

2010

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral SSi 255 2009 against a modified vee Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral SSX 236 2010 at 24,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 tips the scales at 554 lbs — 510 lbs more than the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has a 25-hp advantage over the Chaparral SSX 236 2010's 400-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 2010 carries 55 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and its 425-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 with its 400-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeChaparral

ModelSSi 255

ModelSSX 236

Model Year2009

Model Year201

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 m) Without Arch: 6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Radar Arch: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m) Without Radar Arch: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Meters2.26

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Bridge clearance - Inches89

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise20°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (94 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail5,540 lbs. (2,513 kg)

Weight - Detail4,400 lbs. (1,996 kg)

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.44

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet24.67

Length - Inches5

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 8 in. (7.34 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L Gi MPi DP 300 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max400 hp (298 kW)

Operational Info

Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity2

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacity9.5 gal. (36 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum people12 or 1,605 lbs

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

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal (14 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Liters15.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal3.8

Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral SSX 236 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 comes in at 24,7 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 554 lbs for the Chaparral SSi 255 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 tops out at 400 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 SSX 236 2010 carry?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 and Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 or the Chaparral SSX 236 2010?

The Chaparral SSX 236 2010 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Chaparral SSi 255 2009. 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 255 2009 and Chaparral SSX 236 2010 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and the Chaparral SSX 236 2010 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 255 2009 full specs ← Chaparral SSX 236 2010 full specs