Steve: The following opinions
are solely those of BoatTEST.com and its test captain.
Hi, Captain Steve for BoatTEST.com,
and today,
we're gonna do a test and review
of a performance bow rider
that adds a distinct level of class and comfort to the mix.
It's the Chaparral 307 SSX.
Let's start with a look at the operational details.
When coming aboard,
the battery switches under the seat need to be turned on.
The battery's located under the seat opposite
with a drain keeping water away.
Then a switch at the helm brings up
the electrically actuated engine hatch for the daily checks.
Our test boat was fitted with a pair of Volvo Penta V8 300's
but options include single engines
between 380 and 430 horsepower
or twins between 220 and 300 horsepower.
Chaparral created a roomy installation
with this compartment,
with a work platform at the forward bulkhead.
The automatic discharge fire extinguisher is standard.
We had the optional Quick and Quiet Thru-Hull Exhaust
on our test boat.
Moving forward,
the ground tackle is handled by a Lewmar windless,
and Chaparral added the cleat under the hatch
for securing the road.
And dedicated storage for the manual winch tool.
The right side of the compartment
is open to manage any tangles that may occur.
The controls are on the foredeck.
Local cast pull up cleats are on either side of the bow.
Moving to the helm,
Chaparral went with a soft touch basketweave pattern dash
that's easy on the eyes for both looks
and reduction of glare.
Black face gauges with chrome bezels and anti-fog lenses
flank an optional Garmin 741XS
mounted in a finished wood frame.
All rocker switches are mounted to a chrome faceplate,
and the fuel gauge has a prominent location.
Twin EDC displays are just below.
To the right is the optional stern drive joystick,
just ahead of the digital engine controls
with its host of optional features.
I really get a kick out of the steering wheel,
with its floating logo in the center.
We started our operational test
by utilizing the Volvo Penta Sterndrive Joystick System.
The Chaparral 307 SSX has a length overall
of 30 feet, six inches.
A beam of nine feet, six inches
and a draft of 31 inches.
With an empty weight of 9200 pounds,
100 gallons of fuel,
and three people on board,
we had an estimated test weight of 10,405 pounds.
With a pair of Volvo Penta V8 300's
turning duoprop outdrives with F6 propellors,
we reached a top speed at 4980 RPM,
of 52.2 miles per hour.
At that speed we were burning 45 gallons per hour
giving us a range of 131 miles.
Best cruise came in at 3000 RPM at 29.6 miles per hour.
That speed reduced the fuel burn to 17.5 gallons per hour,
which the 307 could keep up for 190 miles,
and six hours and 24 minutes,
while still maintaining a 10% reserve.
We had a time to plane of 4.2 seconds,
accelerated through 20 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds,
and continued through 30 miles per hour in 9.4 seconds.
In the chop, she presented a surprisingly dry ride,
regardless of the angle the waves were coming from.
She dragged straight and true
as hands were removed from the steering wheel.
There was never a feel of pounding,
just a smooth, stable ride through the chop.
That says a lot for Chaparrel's hull design,
and confirms my attitude that
these boats have come along way through the design phase.
During high performance turns,
she exhibited a bit of chine walk as she came around.
But to be fair this didn't happen during normal turns,
just through high performance type of turns
that people rarely do in the real world.
Upon acceleration she presents
a minimal eight and a half degree bow rise,
with no loss of visibility to the horizon.
She rolls 10 degrees into the turns,
and when taking power off,
she settles back into the water stern first.
And coming back into the dock,
the Volvo Penta Sterndrive Joystick made easy work
of crosswinds or crosscurrents.
Now back at the dock,
we can have some company aboard,
so let's take a look at where we'll entertain them.
The folding swim platform comes out two feet, five inches.
There's a grab handle across the back of the platform
for swimmers to hang onto.
Pull up cleats are to both sides,
eliminating a tripping hazard when not in use.
Chaparral went with a four step re-boarding ladder.
The faux teak decking is optional
and color matched to the interior.
The aft facing seat is a great place to relax
when the 307 isn't under power,
and easily converts to a sun pad.
And a stereo remote is conveniently located.
Stepping into the cockpit,
we see more of the comfort level
that we've come to expect from Chaparral,
with a posing seating making a comfortable gathering area.
Wraparound seating to port
is opposite a double bench seat to starboard.
This wet bar is offered as an option
in lieu of the standard starboard seating,
and it's a good choice.
It includes a 12 volt power supply,
a sink with a pullout sprayer
recessed into the solid surface countertop,
a stainless grab handle,
and a 25 quart cooler in a dedicated storage.
A cockpit refrigerator can also be added here.
The observer seat is wide with a wraparound back
and open lumbar area.
Extra padding and a flip up bolster add to the comfort.
The captain gets the same seat
with the addition of a slider release located to the side.
Moving to the bow,
the walkthrough windshield has interconnected latches.
The bow seating offers more than enough room
to stretch my legs out,
and there's another stereo remote
tucked under the padded bolster.
And above it all,
the sport arch is custom painted aluminum,
with a bimini for sun protection.
And LED tri-colored lighting for nighttime use,
all standard.
And of course,
if anyone needs to use the facilities,
there's a standard head,
and Chaparral cut right to the high end of the spectrum,
with a vacuum flush toilet with china bowl,
stainless sink with pullout faucet,
mirrored storage cabinet,
light, power vent, wood flooring,
and an opening port light.
All standard.
Storage is under the seats as usual,
but the cockpit index storage has a neat little trick.
A drawer pulls out from the side,
creating storage within storage.
Clever use of space.
More storage is behind the air dam at the helm console.
Under the seats at the bow,
and a second index storage compartment
is between the bow seats.
At the end of the day,
with the fully lined cockpit,
washdowns are easy with the water running over the side
through the cockpit drains.
I'd leave the optional snap-in carpet
off the invoice for my boat.
Clearly, Chaparral pulled out all the stops
with this 307 SSX.
She's a premium build,
and as such,
a lot of her upscale features are included
as standard equipment.
And that's my full review of the 307SSX from Chaparral.
From BoatTEST.com,
I'm Captain Steve.
We'll see you on the water.