Sea Ray vs Chaparral: How the Bowrider and Sport Boat Lineups Compare

Sea Ray vs Chaparral comes down to which size class and engine choice you want. The two lineups match up closely from 21 to 33 feet: Sea Ray's SPX and SDX sit against Chaparral's SSi, and Sea Ray's SLX against Chaparral's SSX and OSX. Sea Ray adds cabin cruisers and uses Mercury power, while Chaparral adds Volvo and Yamaha choices.

Lengths, person capacities and fuel capacities are the builders' published figures, read from their US websites on 19 October 2026. Chaparral labels these models 2027; Sea Ray's model pages do not state a model year. Sea Ray's SLX 280 Outboard page read for this article showed no person count, so none is given. Neither builder's model pages give a price: Sea Ray's show none, and Chaparral's say to see a local dealer for pricing.

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How this comparison was made

Each Sea Ray was paired with the Chaparral closest to it in length and drive type, so that the differences come from the builder rather than the size of the boat. Every figure was read from the builders' own model and specification pages on 19 October 2026, and a second, separate check re-read each one. Nothing here comes from test drives or sea trials, and no model is called better overall.

Some figures are not measured the same way, so they are compared only within one builder. Sea Ray quotes dry weight without the engine, while Chaparral quotes dry weight with the engines. Sea Ray lists the engines it offers on each boat, while Chaparral lists a maximum horsepower rating. Sea Ray gives length overall, while Chaparral gives some lengths with the swim platform and some with the engines.

How do the Sea Ray and Chaparral lineups match up?

The two lineups pair up series by series, except at each end of the size range. Sea Ray's US site lists four series, and Chaparral's lists six.

• Entry runabouts: Sea Ray's SPX runs from 19' 7" to 23' 11". Sea Ray says SPX boats are "easy to tow and easy to store." Chaparral's SSi runs from 21' to 23', and the SSi OB outboard versions from 21' 6" to 23' 6".
• Family sport boats: Sea Ray's SDX runs from 23' 2" to 31' 2", and Sea Ray describes it as "the boat for families." Chaparral's closest boats at the short end of that range are the 23 SSi and 23 SSi OB.
• Luxury sport boats: Sea Ray's SLX runs from 25' 9" to 42' 2". Chaparral's SSX runs from 24' 6" to 30' 2", and its OSX outboards, which Chaparral lists as "Luxury Outboards," run from 26' 6" to 32' 6".
• Surf boats: Sea Ray builds Surf versions of the SDX 230, SDX 250, SDX 270 and SLX 260. Chaparral sells the GTS 3 at 23', the GTS 6 at 26' 5" and the 30 Surf at 30' 2".
• Cabin cruisers: Sea Ray's Sundancer series runs from 32' 10" to 39' 9". Chaparral's US model list has no cabin cruiser.

At the small end, Sea Ray's SPX 190 at 19' 7" is shorter than any boat on Chaparral's current US model list. At the large end, the SLX 350, SLX 360 Outboard and SLX 400 models are longer than any Chaparral on that list.

Entry runabouts: SPX 210 vs 21 SSi and the outboard pair

The SPX 210 and the 21 SSi are close matches, with the same person capacity and nearly the same fuel capacity. The Sea Ray SPX 210 is 21' 8" long with an 8' 6" beam, a 19-degree deadrise, 37 gallons of fuel and room for 12 people. Sea Ray offers it with a 200 hp or 250 hp MerCruiser 4.5L. The Chaparral 21 SSi is 21' long with an 8' 4" beam, a 20-degree deadrise, 40 gallons of fuel and room for 12. Its maximum rating is 250 hp, and its option list includes Mercury and Volvo engines of 200 and 250 hp.

The outboard pair differs more. The Sea Ray SPX 190 Outboard is 21' 10" long with an 8' 4" beam, 29 gallons of fuel and room for 10 people, with a Mercury 115 hp or 150 hp outboard. The Chaparral 21 SSi OB is 21' 6" long with the same 8' 4" beam, 40 gallons of fuel, room for 12 people and a 200 hp maximum rating. The next SPX outboard up is the SPX 210 Outboard, at 23' 11" long.

23-foot family boats: SDX 230 vs 23 SSi

At about 23 feet, both builders seat 13 people, and the Sea Ray carries more fuel. The Sea Ray SDX 230 is 23' 2" long with an 8' 6" beam, a 21-degree deadrise and 60 gallons of fuel, with MerCruiser engines of 250 or 300 hp. The Chaparral 23 SSi is 23' long with an 8' 6" beam, a 20-degree deadrise and 50 gallons of fuel, with a 300 hp maximum rating.

The outboard versions are the same length, 23' 6", and both have an 8' 6" beam and room for 13 people. The Sea Ray SDX 230 Outboard holds 60 gallons and takes a Mercury 200 hp FourStroke or 250 hp Verado. The Chaparral 23 SSi OB holds 56 gallons and is rated for up to 250 hp.

Surf boats: SDX 230 Surf vs GTS 3

Both builders use a forward-facing drive on their 23-foot surf boats. Sea Ray says the SDX 230 Surf has "a forward-facing Bravo Four S® drive positioned well under the boat for rider safety," with a 350 hp MerCruiser 6.2L. It is 23' 2" long with an 8' 6" beam, 60 gallons of fuel, 1,040 pounds of ballast and room for 12 people.

Chaparral says its GTS 3 is "powered by Volvo or Mercruiser forward drive technology." It is 23' long with an 8' 6" beam, 50 gallons of fuel, room for 13 people and a 300 hp maximum rating. Chaparral's specification page lists no ballast figure. Buyers who want a dedicated inboard wake boat can compare these with the boats in the wake boat buying guide.

Luxury sport boats: SLX vs SSX

In the 26-to-28-foot luxury class, the Sea Rays hold more fuel and the Chaparrals have a slightly steeper deadrise. The Sea Ray SLX 260 is 25' 9" long with an 8' 6" beam, a 21-degree deadrise, 75 gallons of fuel and room for 15 people, with a 350 hp MerCruiser 6.2L. The Chaparral SSX 6 is 26' 5" long with an 8' 6" beam, a 22-degree deadrise and 65 gallons of fuel, and it is rated for up to 380 hp. Its engine list includes Mercury and Volvo engines from 300 to 380 hp.

One size up, the Sea Ray SLX 280 is 28' 8" long with a 9' beam and 117 gallons of fuel, with a 350 hp MerCruiser 6.2L or a 430 hp MerCruiser 8.2. The Chaparral SSX 8 is 28' long with an 8' 6" beam, a 22-degree deadrise and 80 gallons of fuel, with a 430 hp maximum rating. Chaparral's largest SSX, the SSX 30, is 30' 2" long with a 9' beam and 100 gallons of fuel.

Outboard luxury boats: SLX Outboard vs OSX

Above 30 feet, both builders sell twin-outboard luxury boats, and the fuel advantage switches between sizes. The Sea Ray SLX 280 Outboard is 31' 5" long with a 9' beam and 135 gallons of fuel, and it comes standard with twin Mercury 250 hp Verado outboards with joystick piloting. The Chaparral 280 OSX is 30' 6" long with a 9' beam and 123 gallons of fuel, and it is rated for up to 500 hp.

The Sea Ray SLX 310 Outboard is 33' 10" long with a 10' 3" beam and 158 gallons of fuel, with twin Mercury 300 hp or 350 hp Verado outboards. The Chaparral 310 OSX is 32' 6" long with a 9' 6" beam and 182 gallons of fuel, and it is rated for up to 600 hp. Chaparral lists the 280 OSX, 310 OSX, SSX 6, SSX 8 and SSX 30 as Yacht Certified rather than giving a person count.

Engines: Mercury only vs Mercury, Volvo or Yamaha

Engine choice is the clearest difference between the two builders. Every engine on the Sea Ray model pages read for this article is a Mercury outboard or a Mercury MerCruiser. Chaparral's option lists for the 21 SSi, 23 SSi and SSX 6 include both Mercury and Volvo engines, and its GTS 3 page names Volvo or MerCruiser forward drives. On its outboard models, Chaparral lists Yamaha as well as Mercury outboards: the 21 SSi OB offers Yamaha 150 hp and 200 hp four-strokes, and the 280 OSX offers twin Yamaha 200 hp or 250 hp outboards. A buyer who already has a Volvo, Yamaha or Mercury service dealer nearby may want to start there. For how outboards, sterndrives and inboards compare, see inboard vs outboard vs sterndrive.

Warranty: Sea Ray vs Chaparral

Both builders offer a five-year warranty and a lifetime limited hull warranty on these boats. Sea Ray's warranty page says its SURPA5S+ warranty "provides five years of bow-to-stern factory warranty on the boat and its components" on SPX, SDX and SLX sport boats, excluding the SLX 400 and SLX 400 Outboard, along with a Limited Lifetime Structural Hull / Deck Warranty to the original owner. Chaparral's US home page says "All 2027 Chaparral models come with a Lifetime Limited Hull Warranty and 5-Year Premium limited component warranty - standard." Read both warranties in full, including what each covers and who it transfers to, before you buy.

Which one should you buy?

Start with the size class and drive you want, then compare the matching pair.

• Under 21 feet: Sea Ray's SPX 190 has no same-size boat on Chaparral's current US list.
• Most people in an outboard at about 21 feet: the Chaparral 21 SSi OB is rated for 12 people, against 10 for the Sea Ray SPX 190 Outboard.
• More fuel at 23 feet: the Sea Ray SDX 230 and SDX 230 Outboard carry 60 gallons, against 50 and 56 gallons on the Chaparral 23 SSi and 23 SSi OB.
• Volvo or Yamaha power: Chaparral offers both; the Sea Ray pages list only Mercury.
• A cabin cruiser: Sea Ray's Sundancer series runs from 32' 10" to 39' 9", and Chaparral's US model list has no cruiser series. Chaparral's 280 OSX does have a fiberglass cabin and head compartment.
• Buying used: check the boat's model year against the builder's specifications for that year, and use the used boat inspection checklist before you buy.

Shop Sea Ray, Chaparral and other bowriders for sale on Searchshop, or read the boat buying guide and bowrider vs deck boat.

Frequently asked questions

Which Sea Ray is closest to the Chaparral 21 SSi?

The Sea Ray SPX 210 is the closest match to the Chaparral 21 SSi. Both are rated for 12 people, and the SPX 210 is 21' 8" long against 21' for the 21 SSi. The SPX 210 carries 37 gallons of fuel and the 21 SSi carries 40. Sea Ray offers the SPX 210 with a 200 hp or 250 hp MerCruiser, and the 21 SSi has a 250 hp maximum rating.

Do Sea Ray and Chaparral make surf boats?

Yes, both builders sell surf boats with forward-facing drives. Sea Ray builds Surf versions of the SDX 230, SDX 250, SDX 270 and SLX 260; the SDX 230 Surf uses a 350 hp MerCruiser with a Bravo Four S drive and carries 1,040 pounds of ballast. Chaparral sells the GTS 3, the GTS 6 and the 30 Surf, and it says the GTS 3 is powered by Volvo or MerCruiser forward drives.

Can you get a Volvo engine in a Sea Ray or a Chaparral?

Chaparral offers Volvo engines, and the Sea Ray model pages list only Mercury power. Chaparral's option lists for the 21 SSi, 23 SSi and SSX 6 include Volvo engines alongside Mercury ones, and its outboard models also offer Yamaha. Every engine on the Sea Ray model pages read on 19 October 2026 is a Mercury outboard or a Mercury MerCruiser.

Sources

• Sea Ray: US model lineup and lengths
• Sea Ray SPX 210
• Sea Ray SPX 190 Outboard
• Sea Ray SDX 230
• Sea Ray SDX 230 Outboard
• Sea Ray SDX 230 Surf
• Sea Ray SLX 260
• Sea Ray SLX 280
• Sea Ray SLX 280 Outboard
• Sea Ray SLX 310 Outboard
• Sea Ray warranty
• Chaparral: US home page and lineup
• Chaparral 21 SSi specifications and engine options
• Chaparral 21 SSi OB specifications and engine options
• Chaparral 23 SSi specifications and engine options
• Chaparral 23 SSi OB specifications
• Chaparral GTS 3 specifications and features
• Chaparral SSX 6 specifications and engine options
• Chaparral SSX 8 specifications
• Chaparral SSX 30 specifications
• Chaparral 280 OSX specifications and standard features and options
• Chaparral 310 OSX specifications and US model lengths