Large deck boat
Chaparral 264 Sunesta
Representative large Sunesta specs; confirm year and power package before valuation.
Length
26.3 ft
Fuel
80 gal / 303 L
Seats
14
Dry/curb weight
5,200 lb
Used buyer verdict
Chaparral 264 Sunesta is a 2003-2013 family bowrider for lake cruising and watersports, but older sterndrives carry more maintenance risk than simple outboards. The $53,500-$74,500 low confidence estimate should leave room for drive service, upholstery, floor/transom condition, and water-test results.
Model-level guidance. Inspect the actual listing before buying.
Beginner score
5/10
Cottage score
9/10
Fuel efficiency
3/10
Maintenance complexity
6/10
Market snapshot
Estimated range
$53,500-$74,500
Confidence
Low confidence
Based on
Reviewed range for this model
Range note
Based on a reviewed range for this model.
Best for
- Families wanting more open seating and passenger movement than a small bowrider with seating for up to 14.
- Cottage buyers who value swimming, lounging, and mixed cruising more than fishing specialization.
- Buyers who want bowrider handling with a roomier deck-style layout.
Not ideal for
- Buyers who need the easiest small-boat trailering footprint or a specialized fishing platform.
- Buyers expecting premium fit and finish or true cruiser comfort.
- Owners who want the lowest possible storage and fuel footprint.
Estimated ownership cost
$9,900-$15,400 / year
Uses the midpoint of this model's $53,500-$74,500 estimated used range. Includes insurance, storage, winterization, maintenance reserve, and fuel. Purchase price, tax, registration, inspection repairs, and trailer surprises are separate.
Estimated fuel cost
$800-$900 / season
Estimated using a representative Chaparral 264 Sunesta profile, a half-day family outing pattern, 22 seasonal outings, and the selected fuel price. Fuel price: $1.75 per litre. Load, speed, water conditions, towing, and engine setup can move the result.
Common buyer concerns
- Older sterndrives can add bellows, gimbal, cooling-system, corrosion, and winterization risk.
- Soft floors, wet transoms/stringers, upholstery wear, and trailer condition can change value.
- Watersports use can raise fuel and maintenance exposure.
- Survey hull and deck moisture, sterndrive, manifolds/risers, upholstery, plumbing accessories, canvas, and trailer/lift capacity
- Fuel estimate is directional because exact engine and usage can vary by listing.
What to inspect before buying
- Ownership, HIN, lien status, registration, trailer paperwork, keys, manuals, and included safety gear.
- Cold start, idle, shifting, charging voltage, steering, cooling flow, alarms, and water-test behaviour for the Sterndrive setup.
- Sterndrive bellows, gimbal bearing, u-joints, skeg, prop, trim rams, corrosion, manifolds/risers where applicable, and proof of drive service.
- Trailer, tires, bearings, brakes, lights, bunks, winch, coupler, and tow rating for a boat around 5,200 lb dry before fuel and gear.
- Annual service, winterization, impeller, oil, filters, battery, fuel-system, and storage records.
Quality and reputation
Good family/cottage brand with strong bowrider presence
Resale outlook
Resale is generally decent, with condition, engine package, upholstery, trailer setup, and service history doing most of the work.
Engine and layout
Best suited to Large cottage crews, day cruising, watersports. Common power options include MerCruiser or Volvo Penta V8 sterndrive options. Compare drive type, horsepower, hours, and included equipment.
Specs are representative and should be checked against the exact year and trim. BoatLens ranges are planning estimates, not appraisals or quotes.
Analyze this boat before you contact the seller
Run the actual Chaparral 264 Sunesta listing with its year, asking price, hours, province, and intended use.