Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 58 lbs for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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 SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009

Chaparral

Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008

2008

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Chaparral

Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009

2009

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 against a modified vee Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 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 SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 at 26,0 ft versus Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 at 26,0 ft. At 53 lbs and 58 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 425 hp for the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and 425 hp for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Bottom line: The Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 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

ModelSSX 256 Bow Rider

ModelSunesta 264 Xtreme

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m) Without Arch: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m) With Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWith Wakeboard Tower: 92 in. (2.34 m) Without Wakeboard Tower: 63 in. (1.6 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.54

Bridge clearance - Meters2.34

Bridge clearance - Inches1

Bridge clearance - Inches92

Deadrise22.5℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 kg)

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - kg2630.83

Weight - lbs.53

Weight - lbs.58

Length - Meters8.05

Length - Meters8.03

Length - Feet26

Length - Inches5

Length - Inches4

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 4 in. (8.03 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines1

Max no of enginesnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi MPi DP Drive 300 hp

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7L GXi DP 320 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity13.5 gal. (51 l)

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail3.8 gal. (14 l) With Optional VacuFlush: 6.5 gal. (25 l)

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

Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5

Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 vs Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

The Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 comes in at 26,0 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 SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 or the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

For trailering, the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 58 lbs for the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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.

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

Both the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 8 gallons and 8 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Chaparral SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 and the Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 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 SSX 256 Bow Rider 2008 full specs ← Chaparral Sunesta 264 Xtreme 2009 full specs