Hi, Captain Steve for boattest.com
and in this video, we're gonna conduct a features inspection
and performance evaluation
of the all new Chaparral 247 SSX Black edition.
This is a boat that offers many of the most desired features
as part of its standard package, along with plenty
of optional upgrades
and customizable features that allow an owner
to equip this boat exactly as desired.
First things first, let's talk about
what makes the Black Edition package. That consists
of the black top sides and bottom,
the black EFX 2 tower, black windshield frame,
the JL audio system upgrade, underwater lights,
silicone vinyl, cayenne color upholstery
with black accent vinyl, black dashes,
and special edition badging.
Now let's move through the 247 SSX and
take a look at the amenities, starting with the cockpit.
Seating wraps nearly all the way around, starting
with a bench seat to starboard with beverage holders
and a speaker under the bolster,
and already the premium level treatments are coming across.
The upholstery is envisioned silicone vinyl.
All decking is self draining
and covered with Seadek non-skid matting.
All side panels are vinyl wrapped. Up
to five color packages are offered. Underneath the bench,
there's a molded 50 quart self-draining cooler. To port,
there's an aft facing chaise that runs across the stern
in L fashion, and a pedestal table mount completes the
picture. Stainless beverage holders, a grab handle
and speaker are recessed under the padded bolster.
Storage is under the corner seat
and the port seat, which also includes dedicated storage
for a water toy inflator. Grab the handle to the top
of the seat back and pull out to convert
to forward facing seating.
That port seating includes a flip bolster.
There's a recessed armrest
with a stainless beverage holder. Ahead,
there's a lockable glove box with connectivity inside
and a stainless grab handle below.
A grab handle at the armrest would also be a nice touch.
In the center of the deck, there's additional storage.
Of course, we already discussed the EFX 2 sport tower
overhead. As we make our way to the bow,
the 23 inch wide walkthrough can be closed off
with an air dam to keep things comfortable on those chilly
mornings. When open, it lies flush to the port console.
It wouldn't be fair to say
that the bow is laid out in the usual bowrider fashion,
even though it's lounged seating to both sides.
Chaparral just goes a bit further,
and it adds wider padded bolsters
that wrap fully around the bow.
The upholstery is more of the Envision cayenne silicone,
and the two-tone continues along with the diamond stitching
and a gentle curve to the seat back is added for comfort.
The forward cushion lifts out
to reveal a non-skid step to the bow.
Under that step is a self draining, insulated cooler,
and notice in front of
that there's a pedestal mount for the bow table.
Dual stainless beverage holders are to both sides
and speakers are tucked under the bolster,
so they don't cut into your back.
Stainless grab rails are full length.
The port seat pack lifts to reveal dedicated storage
for the table, pedestal,
and bow filler cushion that converts the bow to a sun pad.
Additional storage is under the starboard seat back
and notice how both hatches are held open
with gas support struts. As expected,
there's forward access to an anchor locker with a lift
and lock latch. Pull up
cleats are to both sides,
but I'd like to see a center mounted cleat
and a forward flip nav light that can rotate
flush. Two steps to the starboard quarter lead us
to the 42 inch deep stern that has the now much sought
after Infinity Power Step.
Control switches are right at the starboard bulwarks
to activate the step, and it not only makes a comfortable
place for reboarding, but an ideal place for a couple
to relax with their drinks.
Those beverage holders are also combination rod holders,
so go ahead and wet a line while relaxing.
The sun pad can convert from seating that favors
both the pad itself
and the cockpit seating to an aft facing chaise lounge.
A fixed seat is just at port
and both are meant to be used while at anchor, beached, or
otherwise not underway.
The storage under the port seat goes all the way into the
storage under the cockpit seating.
So go ahead and put the long boards in here. At the transom
underneath, there's a stereo remote.
Now let's move to the operational features. Right
as we come aboard, a hatch at
the walkthrough to the cockpit opens on tension hinges
and the battery switches are right underneath.
There's a fuel fill and 6 inch cleats
to both port and starboard.
A pull on the grab handle below the aft seat is all it takes
to access the engine compartment
and dual support struts ease the opening. Notice ahead of it,
there's convenient storage for supplies. Here,
the installation leaves plenty of room for daily checks
and viewing the bilge area,
and I like that it's a manual open so it's quick and easy.
The helm is nicely configured
with dual 7 inch Simrad multifunction displays
that can be user configured to show a wealth of information.
Four push button electrical switches run down
both sides of the console.
The wrap steering wheel is mounted to a tilt base. A stereo
that includes connectivity is tucked under the starboard
bow works with a beverage holder
just behind. The seat is a wraparound bucket style with wings
to the backs that allow for swiveling the legs
without swiveling the seat.
It still has Chaparral's proprietary controls for swivel
and slide at the front of the seat in visible locations.
Anyone who has hunted under the seat
for the controls has gotta love that,
and there's also a flip bolster.
While this is a new model, she's still very much a Chaparral
with the company's extended v plane hull that works
so well, giving us quick plane times with little bow rise.
Safety is enhanced by the 42 inch freeboard in the bow
tapering to 36 inches at mid shifts,
28 inches at the stern.
Now it's important to understand that you don't have
to go all in with the Black Edition upgrades
to get the 247 SSX.
You can still get the same boat with the same handling
and comfort, but with a slightly less elevation to the bells
and whistles. You can even get a 250 horsepower 4.5 liter
Mercury engine with a Bravo three outdrive.
Now let's see what kind
of performance we got out of our test boat.
Our test boat was powered
by the midrange 300 horsepower 6.2 liter Mercruiser
with a Bravo three Outdrive. Spun up to 5,000
RPM, our speed topped out at 47.8 miles per hour in light
chop across the lake.
In better conditions, Chaparral tested her
and got a top speed of 50.3.
Our best cruise came in at 3,500 RPM at
30.8 miles per hour.
It was at that speed that the 9.5 gallon per hour fuel burn
translated into 3.3 miles per gallon
and a range of 176 statute miles.
All while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat's
60 gallon total fuel capacity.
This was a very fun boat to drive.
Manners were impeccable
and the boat was propped perfectly.
Never cavitated in turns, and when it got cloudy
and windy at the end of the test day,
she hungrily ate up the lake chop.
Chaparral set out to create a boat that packs elegance, style,
performance, and innovation into one
of the most competitive length categories on the market.
The result is this 247 SSX.
By adding the features of the Black Edition,
it just upped the ante on the competition. Compared
to weather luxury bow riders on the market,
this one is surely going
to get more than its share of attention.
And that's my full features inspection
and performance evaluation
of the all new 247 SSX Black Edition from Chaparral
For boattest.com,
I'm Captain Steve. We'll see you on the water.