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