WEBVTT
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The following opinions
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are solely those of BoatTest.com and its test Captain.
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Hi, Captain Steve for BoatTest.com and today
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we'll be conducting a full features inspection
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and performance evaluation on the all new
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NMMA Certified 257 SSX Outboard from Chaparral.
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This is the builder's newest luxury bow rider
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and in addition to generous amounts of stainless steel,
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they fit a few more premium details into this 25-footer.
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Let's start with the operational features,
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beginning with the helm.
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The helm is located to starboard.
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The wheel is mounted to a tilt base
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and driving power steering.
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The single engine throttle lever control
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includes the integrated trim buttons.
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To port were the lighting switches
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in a centralized L design.
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This is repeated to the other side
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and a storage cubby is below.
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Twin, 7-inch touchscreen displays included moving maps,
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and they were integrated into the engine monitoring
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for full digital gauge displays.
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And notice how the screens are angled
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to better face the operator.
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Water resistant push button DC breakers
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were mounted below the dash.
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Console storage was accessed via a side door.
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One of the six, 6-inch pull-up cleats was located
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at the starboard side, mid-ship,
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making a driver side tie up much more convenient.
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Clarion auto controls are included
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with an auxiliary audio and USB input jack.
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The system includes six JL audio water-resistant speakers.
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A single forward-mounted subwoofer speaker set
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up aft the captain's chair.
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The helm seat includes a flip-up bolster,
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and an open back for ventilation.
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The seat is fully adjustable with actuating levers
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at the front of the armrests.
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The observer seat was configured just the same
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and both had grab-rails
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built into the backs of each chair.
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To port was a vertical grab-rail.
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The stainless steel trimmed windscreen
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wrapped around to both sides.
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The entire boat decking was finished
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in a diamond, non-skid and could be used
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along with the inside seat for an additional
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point of entry and egress.
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Pull-up cleats set to either side
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of the forward anchor locker,
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control switches were seated
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at the inside of the starboard bow cleat.
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Seated in an anchor roller was a polished, stainless steel
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plow anchor that was controlled
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by an optional Lewmar windlass.
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A manual hand wrench for the windlass
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and a tie-off cleat sat as forward.
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A stainless steel flip-open navigation light
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was mounted into the deck just forward of the windlass.
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The 257 SSX OB comes standard with a boarding ladder
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in lieu of the premium windless package
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in the anchor locker.
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A stainless steel grab-rail allowed us
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to lift up the aft bench seating and reveal
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what would normally house the inboard engine.
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Two gas-assist struts maintained the weight
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of the seating section, which has a storage.
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A welcome safety feature was the starboard side's
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self-locking strut.
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A very deliberate push on the strut brake
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allowed us to depress and slowly close the hatch.
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The engine fuel primer boss sat just about
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aft end of starboard.
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Bilge access was gained by removing the rear panel,
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giving access to the power steering pump,
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fuel-water separator, and single mag zone bilge pump
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with float switch.
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The Chaparral 257 SSX was equipped with a single
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Yamaha 300 horsepower V-6, 4.2 liter,
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four-stroke engine,
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turning a Saltwater Series II stainless steel prop
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with a 15 and a half inch diameter and 18-inch pitch.
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She has a length, overall, of 25 feet six inches,
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a beam of eight feet six inches,
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and a draft two feet nine inches.
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With an empty weight of 5,040 pounds,
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50% fuel, and two people onboard,
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we had an estimated test weight of 5,512 pounds.
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At 6,000 RPM, we hit a top speed of 52 miles per hour.
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The best economic crews came in at 3500 RPM
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and 26.1 miles per hour.
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At that speed, that 9.1-gallon-per-hour fuel burn
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translated into 2.9 miles per gallon
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and a range of 168 statute miles,
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all while still holding back a 10% reserve
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of the boat's 65 gallon total fuel capacity.
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In no wake mode, 600 RPM produces 3.6 miles per hour
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with a six gallon per hour fuel burn.
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For acceleration, we reached 20 miles per hour
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in 6.9 seconds,
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30 in 9.4 seconds,
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and 40 came and went in 13.2 seconds.
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With little to no chop and a light breeze,
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we set out for our test runs.
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We didn't find it necessary to use much trim
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to obtain optimal running angles
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throughout the testing, and be it at idle or top speed,
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handling proved to be quite responsive.
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When it was time to put the hammer down,
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this 5,512 pound vessel with a 22 degree
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dead-rise, deep-V hull
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cut through our chase boat's wake,
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projecting little spray
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and maintaining her speed and course.
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Now, let's move on to the features.
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As we made our way to the bow
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through the one and a half foot wide walkway
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we found the seating area to be both roomy and comfortable
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with some thoughtful touches such as flip-up armrests,
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JL audio speakers, and courtesy lighting.
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The deep-set lounges, along with the two
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four foot eight inch stainless steel bow rails
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and grab handles made the team feel
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safe and secure while underway.
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The diamond-stitched upholstery
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was tri-color Biscayne blue throughout the boat.
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From the seat to the top of the bolster
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was one foot four inches.
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We measured a leg room space of one foot seven inches wide
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by two foot three inches long between the seats.
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The boat's 10 gallon water tank fill
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was located just astern to the starboard lounge.
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The forward bow seat cushion lifts to reveal
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storage for the bow table and also a place to mount
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a filler cushion, converting the entire space
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into one large sun pad.
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The air dam and windshield doors
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sectioned off the bow from the cockpit.
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The port side console houses the head.
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We'd like to see a latch or strut
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that would provide resistance
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and keep the door securely open.
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Our test boat was outfitted
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with the premium electrical head unit
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and solid surface countertop
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with pressure water sink and vanity mirror.
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The head's electric controls were mounted on the bulkhead
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just to the left of the sink.
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There was a lockable glove box located just forward
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of the observer, complete with an integrated
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slip-resistant mat on the inside,
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and a stylized stainless steel trim piece on the outside.
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The cockpit features an array of seating configurations.
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A single bench-style seat was located behind the helm chair,
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L-shaped seating continued around to starboard.
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A grab-rail and audio speaker
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were recessed into the starboard gunnel.
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There's plenty of storage throughout the cockpit area,
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including dedicated storage for 25-quart carry-on cooler
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under the starboard seat.
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And a table could be mounted to accommodate
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more of a social aspect.
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Aft, into the center, is a convertible bench seat.
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Converting this seating section into a sun pad
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is as easy as pulling the stainless steel grab-rail
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to stern and down.
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The aft-facing bench seat
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measured five feet four inches wide by 18 inches deep.
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Two drink holders sat on the corner.
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The entire boat was outfitted with snap-in,
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sea deck flooring, and a self-bilging
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cockpit drainage system.
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A built-in ski locker was located
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between the two helm chairs and held open
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by a sturdy gas strut.
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Our test boat was also equipped
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with the optional EFX tower
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with two JL audio speakers
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which added to the overall look
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and functionality of the 257.
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The tower raised and lowered, reducing the bridge clearance
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from eight foot one inch to six feet, when fully extended.
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An anchor light was wired in up top.
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And with the electronic EFX tower fully extended
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and in place, we had good visibility all around.
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Transitioning through the cockpit towards the swim platform,
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we stepped up two eight-inch steps
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through a 15-inch starboard side passageway
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with big sea deck non-skid.
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To starboard was the main breaker panel
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housing the emergency parallel switch,
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battery switches, helm main,
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stereo amp breaker, and windlass breakers.
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We'd stick on some protective bumpers to the door
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to keep it from slamming into the adjacent gellco.
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This one platform measured in an eight foot one inch wide
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and had a transition space of five and a half inches
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ahead of the engine.
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At the base of the convertible aft seating,
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Chaparral added some embossed stainless steel trim,
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enhancing the look of the 257.
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To port is the head pump-out connection,
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the remote Clarion stereo control, and a freshwater shower.
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Above, there's a stainless grab-rail
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and a six inch cleat that's to the side,
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mounted to another stainless steel trim piece.
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Starboard side hatch housed the re-boarding ladder.
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With stainless steel throughout,
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versatile layout, and premium touches all around,
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the 257 SSX Outboard is Chaparral's answer
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to the market's need for a luxury bow rider.
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Using the existing 257 SSX stern drive as a base,
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Chaparral has built yet another family-friendly
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outboard option in the 25-foot category.
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And that's my full features inspection
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and performance evaluation of the all new
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257 SSX Outboard from Chaparral.
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For BoatTest.com, I'm Captain Steve.
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We'll see you on the water.