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Announcer: The following opinions
are solely those of BoatTEST.com and its test captain.
-: Hi, Captain Steve from BoatTEST.com.
Today, we'll be performing a full features inspection
and performance evaluation
on the all new 300 OSX from Chaparral.
Now, the team at Chaparral tell us that the 300 OSX
is their answer to the need
for an outboard powered sport boat in the 30 foot range.
And it also blends two crucial designs together,
center and dual consoles along with a below deck hideaway,
so let's have a look at how they accomplished this.
From the moment we stepped aboard,
we couldn't help but notice
the helm being situated smack dab in the center of the boat.
It was as if we just stepped aboard a center console vessel
with all the rest of the boat speaking
of dual console comfort and safety
for the rest of the family.
Stepping up to the helm, we had clear visibility forward.
There was 21 inches of open visibility between
the top of the windshield and the overhead hardtop,
which has full standing headroom.
A single windshield wiper was mounted front and center.
The hand stitched vinyl wrapped instrument panel
has a symmetrical look and feel.
The center mounted hydrologic wheel tilts
and there's a Yamaha engine display in front.
Two 10 inch Simrad multifunction displays at either side
and LED switches mounted
on stainless steel panels outboard on both sides,
give the helm a contemporary look.
The primary control panel is to starboard
at roughly a 45 degree angle.
The Optimus 360 joystick is outboard
and is handy either standing looking aft or forward
because of its location.
The Lenco trim tab controls were mounted on the vertical,
something we rarely see.
To the left of the wheel was a little cubby,
dual USB and 12 volt outlets,
and the Clarion audio controls.
Push button breakers we located beneath
the instrument panel on the fiberglass console.
All this was situated underneath the oversized hardtop,
complete with bonded skylight.
The underside has a matte finish to knockdown glare.
The 300 has a welcome three person seating behind the helm.
The captain's seat is in
the center mounted double wide seat.
To starboard is a separate companion seat.
Our test boat had tricolored Biscayne blue upholstery
with diamond stitching.
The height from the deck to the top of the bolster when up
was 33 inches in leaning post mode,
but unlike in most boats, even the most expensive ones,
sitting on a bolster is usually like sitting
on the edge of an upholstered board.
Not so, on the Chaparral 300 OSX.
The bolster is heavily padded on two sides,
so it is comfortable to sit on in the up position.
Our boat was equipped with twin Yamaha four stroke F300XCAs
in Yamaha's white custom finish.
She's measured in with an overall length
of 29 feet, six inches,
had a beam of 9 feet, six inches,
and with 30% fuel, two people and gear,
had an estimated test weight of 10,715 pounds.
With the throttles down
and the boat comfortably in a steady state,
we had a solid top speed of 57 miles per hour
at an even six thousand RPM.
Best economic cruise came in at 35 hundred RMP,
running at 33 miles per hour.
At that speed, the 17.8 gallon per hour fuel burn
translated into 1.9 miles per gallon
and a range of 284 statute miles.
This was calculated while still holding back a 10% reserve
of the 170 gallon total fuel capacity.
At five thousand RPM we recorded 49 miles per hour
and we're burning twice that of 35 hundred RPM
at 36.3 gallons per hour.
ICOMIA, the International Boating Association says
that about 40% of the engine hours on the average boat
are spent at idle.
At 650 RPM, we went 3.5 miles per hour
and got 2.9 miles per gallon.
Heading up to the bow via
the 19 inch wide port side passageway,
we come to a sizable lounge seating section.
Instead of having narrow port or starboard chaise seating
as we find on most bow riders,
the single OSX lounge has room enough for three adults
to sunbath or ride side by side.
This measures 62 inches wide at the back,
tapering to 53 inches forward.
The chaise seat is 41 inches fore and aft.
A filler cushion makes
this forward lounging section even larger.
Forward a side mounted cockpit table
can serve guests on three sides.
With 94 inches worth of stainless steel grab rail
at either side, along with two inches by eight inches
of firmly pliable bolsters,
continuing up from the aft seating section,
the bow is both safe and comfortable.
The cockpit depth forward is 36 inches.
In the port and starboard cubbies
there are JL Audio speakers and drink holders.
The forward center bow cushion lifts up
to aid getting on and off the boat from the bow.
Under the step is a 140 quart insulated compartment
for ice and drinks.
The top of the anchor locker is finished
with a diamond non-skid pattern.
Just under the hatch is an electrically actuated
Lewmar Windlass and rode storage locker
with a six inch tie off cleat for good measure.
The Windlass can be controlled locally or from the helm.
All this to handle
the 22 pound polished stainless steel DTX anchor,
which fits perfectly through the stem.
7 3/4 inch pull up cleats are at port and starboard.
Over the helm and part of the cockpit
is the fiberglass hardtop fabricated with opening skylight,
powder-coated frame, and overhead LED lightening.
Two additional JL Audio speakers
are forward mounted and to either side.
The skylight can be fully opened, partially screened,
or fully opaque depending on preference.
Our 300 OSX was suited
with an optional SureShade retractible canopy,
which provided refuge from the midday sun.
Off the the right of the helm,
we have a sliding hatch leading down into
the snug hideaway and head compartment.
Down below there's a sleeping arrangement for two
with a flip up bench, and stowable slide-out porta-potty.
Sitting clearance is three feet, one inches high.
Head controls and sink are off
to the far side of the compartment,
as well as, the optional 12 volt AC controls and vent.
Although there's a porthole to starboard just below
the CO2 monitoring unit,
we could see AC being necessary in this compartment.
Also, when transitioning back up to the deck,
be mindful of not grabbing the joystick when emerging.
Behind the helm seat
is an optional mini galley prep station,
storage and a cabinet below, sink with running water,
mini fridge,
trash receptacle,
and sturdy stainless steel grab rail.
Following the L-Bench seating around ahead of stern
and just adjacent to the galley prep station,
we find the primary entertaining area on the 300 OSX.
An alternative is a triple wide helm seat,
which pivots the entire seating fixture to starboard,
thus opening the entire cockpit for entertaining.
Under the port bench seating is a compartment
for a 25 quart carryon cooler.
Both cockpit drains and those located throughout
the boat discharge directly overboard
and not into the bilge.
The stern of the boat is a conversational chaise lounge
that can be automatically moved into several functions,
controlled via a D tint LED push button switch
just aft of the dive door.
This is probably the most remarkable feature on the boat
and it's standard.
Without any conversion,
we can place a removable table in front of it.
From the helm we gain access
to the below deck mechanical space
from the port side LED panel.
The center aft seating section is supported by
a single position electrohydraulic actuator.
The underside is layered with high density acoustical foam
to damped the optional generator.
Front and center is also where the table is stowed.
Access to virtually all of the ships mechanical equipment
is in this one large space.
Here we find a fuel, water separator, main 12 volt ACs,
60 hertz ShorePower breaker, the house battery bank,
hydraulic steering pumps for each engine,
and the Teleflex Optimus 360 steering system control box
between them.
Mounted above are our two 20 amp,
triple bank battery charger units.
Directly below
is the boat's main through hall raw water seacock
and strainer,
and the bilge pump, complete with a high bilge alarm.
Notice that our engine battery banks are wired
in emergency parallel with voltage sensing relay
for fault tolerance,
along with a blade breaker to kill engine power
in the event of an emergency.
Forward of the battery bank is our optional 12 volt AC pump
for our accommodations quarters.
Back to upside, separated by a crossbeam
and off to the port side, we have a separate compartment,
which houses our detachable swim ladder.
We found the swim ladder, easily deployable
and especially like the push button locking mechanism
on the door for safety sake while underway.
Moving aft, just below the chaise lounge
and the Clarion speaker controls, there is a wash down hose.
Continuing aft along the slip resistant SeaDek
onto the swim platform,
the overall platform measured eight feet, three inches
by three feet, three inches
with 15 inch wide transitioning walkthrough space.
Handy fuel fills were mounted to port and starboard
and both feed a single tank.
And just below, to either side,
are a 7 3/4 inch fixed cleats
and below those are 7 3/4 inch pull up cleats.
The two foot, six inch by 11 inch stainless steel,
forced up, hideaway swim platform ladder
meets and exceeds the ABYC 22 inch length standard, here.
And to port we have our 30 amp ShorePower outlet,
black water pump out, and direct fresh water adaptor.
All this space can easily be sectioned off by
a partition door while underway.
And that's our full inspection
of the all new 2020 Chaparral 300 OSX.
For BoatTEST.com, I'm Captain Steve.
We'll see you on the water.
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