Charger 296 Pro Team  2009 boat specs
Charger
Charger 296 Pro Team 2009
2009
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VS
Charger 596 DC 2006 boat specs
Charger
Charger 596 DC 2006
2006
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Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 vs Charger 596 DC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 vs Charger 596 DC 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 at 19,3 ft versus Charger 596 DC 2006 at 21,0 ft. At 15 lbs and 18 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 has a 194-hp advantage over the Charger 596 DC 2006's 6-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Charger 596 DC 2006 carries 53 gallons versus 44 gallons in the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 6 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 and its 200-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Charger 596 DC 2006 with its 6-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeCharger
MakeCharger
Model296 Pro Team
Model596 DC
Model Year2009
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam94 in
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches94
Beam - Inches96
Depth - DetailMolded Depth: 41 in
Depth - DetailMolded Depth: 41 in
Depth - Centimeters104.14
Depth - Centimeters104.14
Depth - Inches41
Depth - Inches41
Weight - Detail1,500 lbs
Weight - Detail1,800 lbs
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kg816.47
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.18
Length - Feet19.25
Length - Feet21
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Meters5.87
Length overall - Meters6.63
Length overall - Inches231
Length overall - Inches261
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches9
Body / Hull
Hull materialComposite
Hull materialComposite
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail44 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail53 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters166.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters200.63
Fuel tank capacity - Gal44
Fuel tank capacity - Gal53
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max200 hp
Engine maxAny V-6
Operational Info
Storage11 compartments
Storage12 compartments
Maximum capacity1,400 lbs
Maximum capacity1,500 lbs
Maximum people6 / 900 lbs
Maximum people6
Trailer Info
Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 2 in. Swing Away Tongue: 21 ft. 4 in
Trailer - Length over all26 ft. 6 in. Swing Away Tongue: 23 ft. 10 in

Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 vs Charger 596 DC 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 or the Charger 596 DC 2006?
The Charger 596 DC 2006 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 comes in at 19,3 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 or the Charger 596 DC 2006?
For trailering, the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 has the edge at 15 lbs dry weight versus 18 lbs for the Charger 596 DC 2006. 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 Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Charger 596 DC 2006 tops out at 6 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 people can each boat hold?
The Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Charger 596 DC 2006 is certified for 6. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Charger 596 DC 2006 measures 96" wide, compared to 94" for the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 or the Charger 596 DC 2006?
The Charger 596 DC 2006 has the bigger tank at 53 gallons, versus 44 gallons on the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 and Charger 596 DC 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Charger 296 Pro Team 2009 and the Charger 596 DC 2006 are built by Charger. 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.