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