WEBVTT
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The following opinions are solely those of
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BoatTEST.com and and its test captain.
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Hi, I'm Eric Colby for BoatTEST.com,
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and today we'll be doing a performance evaluation,
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and full inspection on the 227 SSX Sports Boat
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from Chaparral Boats.
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The 227 SSX is a 23-foot-long family bowrider
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with an 8-foot 6-inch beam,
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and she's powered by a single sterndrive
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from Mercruiser or Volvo Penta up to 3500 horse power.
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A boat in this size ranges all about versatility,
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so let's take a look at what she has to offer
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a family during a day on the water.
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The bow has seating space for adults to
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sit and stretch their legs toward the bow.
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The table comes standard, and it mounts into a support
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that's up off the cockpit's sole.
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This is preferred over the hole in this sole
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that can collect water and debris.
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We expect that the bow filler cushion will be
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one of the more popular options on the 227 SSX.
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It turns the area into a large sun pad.
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Taking a look at some of the high-end details on
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the 227 SSX, note the quality upholstery and
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french stitching, the stainless steel cup holders,
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and grab rails come standard.
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Storage underneath the bow lounges includes
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an insulated ice chest beneath the centre-forward cushion.
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In the 227 SSX's foredeck there's a locker
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that's home to the beaching ladder and the anchor.
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Fold out the ladder with its handy grab rail,
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and the anchor is an easy reach.
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These are two of the eight pull-up cleats
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on our test boat.
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And the point of the bow is a flip-up navigation light.
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The center section of the stainless steel
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framed windshield opens and secures with this magnet.
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Close the windshield and the passageway door
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to keep the unrushed wind,
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out of the 227 SSX's cockpit.
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This will appeal to boaters who live in Northern climates,
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who want to stretch their season.
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In the cockpit the pull-out console has
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a glove box, the stereo remote,
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and two stainless steel cup holders.
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The soft rubber matte in the glove box,
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makes this compartment a good place to
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stash cell phones and other accessories.
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The port cockpit seat has the movable backrest
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secured for the co-pilot to travel facing forward.
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With the cushion laid all the way forward,
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the port lounge becomes a long,
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aft-facing lounge with the padded dash
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serving as a backrest.
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The seating continues to wrap around from
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the port-side across the stern to
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the passage to the swim platform.
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The table can be moved from the bow to the cockpit.
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Inspecting the helm,
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it's build out of an aluminum fiberglass and
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finished with dark upholstery on the upper section and
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eyebrow to keep glare off the windshield and
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multifunction gauges.
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The digital depth-finder comes standard,
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and the Garmin chartplotter
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and tilt-steering wheel shown here,
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are among the available options.
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The bolster on the driver's seat flips up or
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lays flat to allow operating the boat from
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a seated or standing position.
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The seat also slides for and aft,
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and swivels to ensure that the captain will be comfortable.
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A head of the shift and throttle lever in the dash has
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a 12-volt power plug, and the driver can rest his arm on
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the padded arm rest while throttling.
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Just after the helm is this one-person's jump seat,
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and between it and the stern seat,
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is a step up to the passageway to the 227 SSX's stern.
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Taking a look at the cockpit storage,
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the battery switches in the locker beneath
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the stern bridge jump seat cushion.
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There are lockers beneath all the seats,
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including the draining cooler beneath
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the co-pilot's seat.
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The water toy inflation pump secures in this bracket.
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The full-width sun pad spans the boat's beam,
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creating a flat tanning area where
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the backrest support can be raised to
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form a chaise-style lounge.
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Beneath the backrest is a removable 25-quart cooler,
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and underneath the center cushion on the sun pad,
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is a draining tray that could be good for
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tow ropes or life vests.
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To starboard, this hinged cushion raises to
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open the passageway to the swim platform.
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The hatch in the walkway uncovers additional storage.
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The full-width swim platform is covered in
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Flexiteek decking.
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Aft the starboard, the ladder is beneath this hatch.
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To pour, are the fuel-fill
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and optional remote control for the stereo.
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A couple of noteworthy options on our test boat,
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were the beach-weaved mat on the sole and
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the powder-coated water sports tower
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that folds down to improve bridge clearance.
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Now let's take a look at the 227 SSX's performance.
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Our test boat was powered by
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a 2500 horse power Mercruiser 4.5L MPI Alpha,
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and we estimated the test weight at 4445 pounds.
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Top speed was 45.5 miles per hour at 5000 RPM
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with a fuel burn of 19.3 gallons per hour,
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resulting in a range of 96 statute miles.
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Best cruise came at 2500 RPM,
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where she ran 19 miles per hour,
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and burned 5.2 gallons per hour per
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a range of 149 miles with 10% reserve.
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(boat accelerating)
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In acceleration test, the boat planned in 3.6 seconds,
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and reached 30 miles per hour in 6.9 seconds.
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When we put the 227 SSX through a series of turns in
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our maneuver ability test,
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the boat responded predictably and smoothly.
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And when we ran the boat through the wakes of
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this center console in front of us,
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Chaparral's extended deep plane bottom design,
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that has sections of the running surface
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that extend aft past the drive on each side,
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helped the boat maintain a leveled attitude.
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The Chaparral 227 SSX is a sport boat
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that should appeal to families looking for
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a capable day boat.
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She comes well-equipped with appreciated accessories,
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including a beach ladder and a depth gauge.
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And owners can choose engine options from mild to wild.
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For BoatTEST.com, I'm Eric Colby.