WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.090 --> 00:00:03.063 The following opinions are solely those of 2 00:00:03.063 --> 00:00:06.240 BoatTEST.com and and its test captain. 3 00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:08.190 Hi, I'm Eric Colby for BoatTEST.com, 4 00:00:08.190 --> 00:00:10.120 line:15% and today we'll be doing a performance evaluation, 5 00:00:10.120 --> 00:00:13.700 line:15% and full inspection on the 227 SSX Sports Boat 6 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:15.093 from Chaparral Boats. 7 00:00:16.340 --> 00:00:19.770 line:15% The 227 SSX is a 23-foot-long family bowrider 8 00:00:19.770 --> 00:00:21.540 line:15% with an 8-foot 6-inch beam, 9 00:00:21.540 --> 00:00:23.440 line:15% and she's powered by a single sterndrive 10 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:27.730 from Mercruiser or Volvo Penta up to 3500 horse power. 11 00:00:27.730 --> 00:00:30.070 A boat in this size ranges all about versatility, 12 00:00:30.070 --> 00:00:31.910 so let's take a look at what she has to offer 13 00:00:31.910 --> 00:00:33.660 a family during a day on the water. 14 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:36.480 The bow has seating space for adults to 15 00:00:36.480 --> 00:00:38.490 sit and stretch their legs toward the bow. 16 00:00:38.490 --> 00:00:40.710 The table comes standard, and it mounts into a support 17 00:00:40.710 --> 00:00:42.580 that's up off the cockpit's sole. 18 00:00:42.580 --> 00:00:44.320 This is preferred over the hole in this sole 19 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:46.330 that can collect water and debris. 20 00:00:46.330 --> 00:00:48.170 We expect that the bow filler cushion will be 21 00:00:48.170 --> 00:00:51.450 one of the more popular options on the 227 SSX. 22 00:00:51.450 --> 00:00:53.703 It turns the area into a large sun pad. 23 00:00:54.610 --> 00:00:56.360 Taking a look at some of the high-end details on 24 00:00:56.360 --> 00:00:59.380 the 227 SSX, note the quality upholstery and 25 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:01.670 french stitching, the stainless steel cup holders, 26 00:01:01.670 --> 00:01:03.990 and grab rails come standard. 27 00:01:03.990 --> 00:01:05.990 Storage underneath the bow lounges includes 28 00:01:05.990 --> 00:01:09.200 an insulated ice chest beneath the centre-forward cushion. 29 00:01:09.200 --> 00:01:12.350 In the 227 SSX's foredeck there's a locker 30 00:01:12.350 --> 00:01:14.650 that's home to the beaching ladder and the anchor. 31 00:01:14.650 --> 00:01:16.560 Fold out the ladder with its handy grab rail, 32 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:18.193 and the anchor is an easy reach. 33 00:01:19.110 --> 00:01:20.780 These are two of the eight pull-up cleats 34 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:21.613 on our test boat. 35 00:01:21.613 --> 00:01:24.463 And the point of the bow is a flip-up navigation light. 36 00:01:25.880 --> 00:01:27.300 The center section of the stainless steel 37 00:01:27.300 --> 00:01:30.170 framed windshield opens and secures with this magnet. 38 00:01:30.170 --> 00:01:32.030 Close the windshield and the passageway door 39 00:01:32.030 --> 00:01:33.190 to keep the unrushed wind, 40 00:01:33.190 --> 00:01:35.700 out of the 227 SSX's cockpit. 41 00:01:35.700 --> 00:01:37.840 This will appeal to boaters who live in Northern climates, 42 00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:39.950 who want to stretch their season. 43 00:01:39.950 --> 00:01:41.750 In the cockpit the pull-out console has 44 00:01:41.750 --> 00:01:43.300 a glove box, the stereo remote, 45 00:01:43.300 --> 00:01:45.240 and two stainless steel cup holders. 46 00:01:45.240 --> 00:01:46.910 The soft rubber matte in the glove box, 47 00:01:46.910 --> 00:01:48.420 makes this compartment a good place to 48 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:50.420 stash cell phones and other accessories. 49 00:01:51.270 --> 00:01:53.430 The port cockpit seat has the movable backrest 50 00:01:53.430 --> 00:01:56.350 secured for the co-pilot to travel facing forward. 51 00:01:56.350 --> 00:01:58.210 With the cushion laid all the way forward, 52 00:01:58.210 --> 00:01:59.800 the port lounge becomes a long, 53 00:01:59.800 --> 00:02:02.010 aft-facing lounge with the padded dash 54 00:02:02.010 --> 00:02:03.363 serving as a backrest. 55 00:02:04.360 --> 00:02:06.040 The seating continues to wrap around from 56 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:07.620 the port-side across the stern to 57 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:09.520 the passage to the swim platform. 58 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:12.560 The table can be moved from the bow to the cockpit. 59 00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:13.510 Inspecting the helm, 60 00:02:13.510 --> 00:02:15.490 it's build out of an aluminum fiberglass and 61 00:02:15.490 --> 00:02:17.700 finished with dark upholstery on the upper section and 62 00:02:17.700 --> 00:02:19.650 eyebrow to keep glare off the windshield and 63 00:02:19.650 --> 00:02:21.130 multifunction gauges. 64 00:02:21.130 --> 00:02:23.150 The digital depth-finder comes standard, 65 00:02:23.150 --> 00:02:24.350 and the Garmin chartplotter 66 00:02:24.350 --> 00:02:25.890 and tilt-steering wheel shown here, 67 00:02:25.890 --> 00:02:27.523 are among the available options. 68 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:30.910 The bolster on the driver's seat flips up or 69 00:02:30.910 --> 00:02:32.760 lays flat to allow operating the boat from 70 00:02:32.760 --> 00:02:34.500 a seated or standing position. 71 00:02:34.500 --> 00:02:36.150 The seat also slides for and aft, 72 00:02:36.150 --> 00:02:39.690 and swivels to ensure that the captain will be comfortable. 73 00:02:39.690 --> 00:02:41.840 A head of the shift and throttle lever in the dash has 74 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:44.980 a 12-volt power plug, and the driver can rest his arm on 75 00:02:44.980 --> 00:02:47.300 the padded arm rest while throttling. 76 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:49.400 Just after the helm is this one-person's jump seat, 77 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:50.970 and between it and the stern seat, 78 00:02:50.970 --> 00:02:54.463 is a step up to the passageway to the 227 SSX's stern. 79 00:02:55.400 --> 00:02:56.880 Taking a look at the cockpit storage, 80 00:02:56.880 --> 00:02:58.620 the battery switches in the locker beneath 81 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:00.410 the stern bridge jump seat cushion. 82 00:03:00.410 --> 00:03:02.040 There are lockers beneath all the seats, 83 00:03:02.040 --> 00:03:03.640 including the draining cooler beneath 84 00:03:03.640 --> 00:03:04.910 the co-pilot's seat. 85 00:03:04.910 --> 00:03:08.380 The water toy inflation pump secures in this bracket. 86 00:03:08.380 --> 00:03:10.680 The full-width sun pad spans the boat's beam, 87 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:12.460 creating a flat tanning area where 88 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:14.070 the backrest support can be raised to 89 00:03:14.070 --> 00:03:16.000 form a chaise-style lounge. 90 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.010 Beneath the backrest is a removable 25-quart cooler, 91 00:03:19.010 --> 00:03:20.950 and underneath the center cushion on the sun pad, 92 00:03:20.950 --> 00:03:22.560 is a draining tray that could be good for 93 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.760 tow ropes or life vests. 94 00:03:24.760 --> 00:03:26.670 To starboard, this hinged cushion raises to 95 00:03:26.670 --> 00:03:29.030 open the passageway to the swim platform. 96 00:03:29.030 --> 00:03:31.680 The hatch in the walkway uncovers additional storage. 97 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:34.500 The full-width swim platform is covered in 98 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:35.950 Flexiteek decking. 99 00:03:35.950 --> 00:03:38.600 Aft the starboard, the ladder is beneath this hatch. 100 00:03:38.600 --> 00:03:40.080 To pour, are the fuel-fill 101 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:42.980 and optional remote control for the stereo. 102 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:45.090 A couple of noteworthy options on our test boat, 103 00:03:45.090 --> 00:03:47.420 were the beach-weaved mat on the sole and 104 00:03:47.420 --> 00:03:49.050 the powder-coated water sports tower 105 00:03:49.050 --> 00:03:51.343 that folds down to improve bridge clearance. 106 00:03:52.510 --> 00:03:55.990 Now let's take a look at the 227 SSX's performance. 107 00:03:55.990 --> 00:03:57.300 Our test boat was powered by 108 00:03:57.300 --> 00:04:01.360 a 2500 horse power Mercruiser 4.5L MPI Alpha, 109 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:05.290 line:15% and we estimated the test weight at 4445 pounds. 110 00:04:05.290 --> 00:04:08.890 line:15% Top speed was 45.5 miles per hour at 5000 RPM 111 00:04:08.890 --> 00:04:11.750 line:15% with a fuel burn of 19.3 gallons per hour, 112 00:04:11.750 --> 00:04:14.560 line:15% resulting in a range of 96 statute miles. 113 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:16.700 line:15% Best cruise came at 2500 RPM, 114 00:04:16.700 --> 00:04:18.580 line:15% where she ran 19 miles per hour, 115 00:04:18.580 --> 00:04:20.520 line:15% and burned 5.2 gallons per hour per 116 00:04:20.520 --> 00:04:24.338 line:15% a range of 149 miles with 10% reserve. 117 00:04:24.338 --> 00:04:28.010 (boat accelerating) 118 00:04:28.010 --> 00:04:31.090 line:15% In acceleration test, the boat planned in 3.6 seconds, 119 00:04:31.090 --> 00:04:34.073 line:15% and reached 30 miles per hour in 6.9 seconds. 120 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:38.640 When we put the 227 SSX through a series of turns in 121 00:04:38.640 --> 00:04:40.060 our maneuver ability test, 122 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:42.380 the boat responded predictably and smoothly. 123 00:04:42.380 --> 00:04:44.250 And when we ran the boat through the wakes of 124 00:04:44.250 --> 00:04:46.065 this center console in front of us, 125 00:04:46.065 --> 00:04:48.230 Chaparral's extended deep plane bottom design, 126 00:04:48.230 --> 00:04:49.740 that has sections of the running surface 127 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:52.180 that extend aft past the drive on each side, 128 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:54.930 helped the boat maintain a leveled attitude. 129 00:04:54.930 --> 00:04:57.950 The Chaparral 227 SSX is a sport boat 130 00:04:57.950 --> 00:04:59.690 that should appeal to families looking for 131 00:04:59.690 --> 00:05:01.130 a capable day boat. 132 00:05:01.130 --> 00:05:03.660 She comes well-equipped with appreciated accessories, 133 00:05:03.660 --> 00:05:05.790 including a beach ladder and a depth gauge. 134 00:05:05.790 --> 00:05:09.080 And owners can choose engine options from mild to wild. 135 00:05:09.080 --> 00:05:11.503 For BoatTEST.com, I'm Eric Colby.