Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 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 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 has the edge at 4 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 Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 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 Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 carry?

The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 Sunesta 224 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and the Chaparral Sunesta 224 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.

Boat Comparison

Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008

Chaparral

Chaparral SSi 255 2009

2009

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral SSi 255 2009 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 224 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 measures 26,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 at 22,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 tips the scales at 554 lbs — 550 lbs more than the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 at 4 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 125-hp advantage over the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 at 26,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 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 255

ModelSunesta 224 Wide-Tech

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

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 Wakeboard Tower: 107 in. (2.71 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 62 in. (1.57 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.44

Bridge clearance - Meters2.72

Bridge clearance - Inches96

Bridge clearance - Inches107

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise18℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches2

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 - Detail4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)

Weight - kg2512.9

Weight - kg1814.37

Weight - lbs.554

Weight - lbs.4

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Meters6.81

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet22

Length - Inches5

Length - Inches4

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

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 4 in. (6.81 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 standardVolvo 5.0 GXi MPi SX drive 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max300 hp (224 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 people1

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

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Headnot available

Head1

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,490 lbs

Chaparral SSi 255 2009 vs Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 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 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

For trailering, the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 has the edge at 4 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 Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 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 Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 carry?

The Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 has an official capacity rating of 1 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 Sunesta 224 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 255 2009 or the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008?

The Chaparral SSi 255 2009 has the bigger tank at 8 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSi 255 2009 and the Chaparral Sunesta 224 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.

← Chaparral SSi 255 2009 full specs ← Chaparral Sunesta 224 Wide-Tech 2008 full specs