WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.020 --> 00:00:03.980 The following opinions 2 00:00:03.980 --> 00:00:07.003 are solely those of BoatTEST.com and its test captain. 3 00:00:08.120 --> 00:00:09.840 Hi, Captain Steve for BoatTEST.com, 4 00:00:09.840 --> 00:00:10.673 and today, 5 00:00:10.673 --> 00:00:11.620 we're gonna do a test and review 6 00:00:11.620 --> 00:00:12.860 of a performance bow rider 7 00:00:12.860 --> 00:00:15.770 that adds a distinct level of class and comfort to the mix. 8 00:00:15.770 --> 00:00:18.220 It's the Chaparral 307 SSX. 9 00:00:18.220 --> 00:00:20.860 Let's start with a look at the operational details. 10 00:00:20.860 --> 00:00:21.693 When coming aboard, 11 00:00:21.693 --> 00:00:24.420 the battery switches under the seat need to be turned on. 12 00:00:24.420 --> 00:00:26.430 The battery's located under the seat opposite 13 00:00:26.430 --> 00:00:28.670 with a drain keeping water away. 14 00:00:28.670 --> 00:00:29.900 Then a switch at the helm brings up 15 00:00:29.900 --> 00:00:33.230 the electrically actuated engine hatch for the daily checks. 16 00:00:33.230 --> 00:00:36.460 Our test boat was fitted with a pair of Volvo Penta V8 300's 17 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:37.910 but options include single engines 18 00:00:37.910 --> 00:00:40.840 between 380 and 430 horsepower 19 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.793 or twins between 220 and 300 horsepower. 20 00:00:44.690 --> 00:00:46.260 Chaparral created a roomy installation 21 00:00:46.260 --> 00:00:47.240 with this compartment, 22 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:49.970 with a work platform at the forward bulkhead. 23 00:00:49.970 --> 00:00:52.860 The automatic discharge fire extinguisher is standard. 24 00:00:52.860 --> 00:00:55.040 We had the optional Quick and Quiet Thru-Hull Exhaust 25 00:00:55.040 --> 00:00:56.390 on our test boat. 26 00:00:56.390 --> 00:00:57.240 Moving forward, 27 00:00:57.240 --> 00:00:59.220 the ground tackle is handled by a Lewmar windless, 28 00:00:59.220 --> 00:01:00.960 and Chaparral added the cleat under the hatch 29 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:02.240 for securing the road. 30 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:05.340 And dedicated storage for the manual winch tool. 31 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:06.400 The right side of the compartment 32 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:09.290 is open to manage any tangles that may occur. 33 00:01:09.290 --> 00:01:11.330 The controls are on the foredeck. 34 00:01:11.330 --> 00:01:14.130 Local cast pull up cleats are on either side of the bow. 35 00:01:15.150 --> 00:01:16.170 Moving to the helm, 36 00:01:16.170 --> 00:01:18.442 Chaparral went with a soft touch basketweave pattern dash 37 00:01:18.442 --> 00:01:20.570 that's easy on the eyes for both looks 38 00:01:20.570 --> 00:01:22.630 and reduction of glare. 39 00:01:22.630 --> 00:01:25.350 Black face gauges with chrome bezels and anti-fog lenses 40 00:01:25.350 --> 00:01:27.910 flank an optional Garmin 741XS 41 00:01:27.910 --> 00:01:30.330 mounted in a finished wood frame. 42 00:01:30.330 --> 00:01:32.490 All rocker switches are mounted to a chrome faceplate, 43 00:01:32.490 --> 00:01:34.913 and the fuel gauge has a prominent location. 44 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:38.440 Twin EDC displays are just below. 45 00:01:38.440 --> 00:01:40.670 To the right is the optional stern drive joystick, 46 00:01:40.670 --> 00:01:42.360 just ahead of the digital engine controls 47 00:01:42.360 --> 00:01:44.680 with its host of optional features. 48 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:46.200 I really get a kick out of the steering wheel, 49 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.315 with its floating logo in the center. 50 00:01:48.315 --> 00:01:50.130 We started our operational test 51 00:01:50.130 --> 00:01:53.510 by utilizing the Volvo Penta Sterndrive Joystick System. 52 00:01:53.510 --> 00:01:56.190 The Chaparral 307 SSX has a length overall 53 00:01:56.190 --> 00:01:57.660 line:15% of 30 feet, six inches. 54 00:01:57.660 --> 00:01:59.090 line:15% A beam of nine feet, six inches 55 00:01:59.090 --> 00:02:01.400 line:15% and a draft of 31 inches. 56 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:03.280 line:15% With an empty weight of 9200 pounds, 57 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:04.390 line:15% 100 gallons of fuel, 58 00:02:04.390 --> 00:02:05.890 line:15% and three people on board, 59 00:02:05.890 --> 00:02:09.233 line:15% we had an estimated test weight of 10,405 pounds. 60 00:02:10.876 --> 00:02:13.320 line:15% With a pair of Volvo Penta V8 300's 61 00:02:13.320 --> 00:02:16.050 line:15% turning duoprop outdrives with F6 propellors, 62 00:02:16.050 --> 00:02:18.590 line:15% we reached a top speed at 4980 RPM, 63 00:02:18.590 --> 00:02:21.220 line:15% of 52.2 miles per hour. 64 00:02:21.220 --> 00:02:23.630 line:15% At that speed we were burning 45 gallons per hour 65 00:02:23.630 --> 00:02:26.680 line:15% giving us a range of 131 miles. 66 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:30.393 line:15% Best cruise came in at 3000 RPM at 29.6 miles per hour. 67 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:34.910 line:15% That speed reduced the fuel burn to 17.5 gallons per hour, 68 00:02:34.910 --> 00:02:37.750 line:15% which the 307 could keep up for 190 miles, 69 00:02:37.750 --> 00:02:39.330 line:15% and six hours and 24 minutes, 70 00:02:39.330 --> 00:02:42.260 line:15% while still maintaining a 10% reserve. 71 00:02:42.260 --> 00:02:44.350 line:15% We had a time to plane of 4.2 seconds, 72 00:02:44.350 --> 00:02:47.310 line:15% accelerated through 20 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds, 73 00:02:47.310 --> 00:02:51.260 line:15% and continued through 30 miles per hour in 9.4 seconds. 74 00:02:51.260 --> 00:02:53.440 In the chop, she presented a surprisingly dry ride, 75 00:02:53.440 --> 00:02:55.650 regardless of the angle the waves were coming from. 76 00:02:55.650 --> 00:02:56.720 She dragged straight and true 77 00:02:56.720 --> 00:02:58.790 as hands were removed from the steering wheel. 78 00:02:58.790 --> 00:03:00.010 There was never a feel of pounding, 79 00:03:00.010 --> 00:03:02.750 just a smooth, stable ride through the chop. 80 00:03:02.750 --> 00:03:04.780 That says a lot for Chaparrel's hull design, 81 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:06.070 and confirms my attitude that 82 00:03:06.070 --> 00:03:09.600 these boats have come along way through the design phase. 83 00:03:09.600 --> 00:03:10.870 During high performance turns, 84 00:03:10.870 --> 00:03:13.270 she exhibited a bit of chine walk as she came around. 85 00:03:13.270 --> 00:03:15.800 But to be fair this didn't happen during normal turns, 86 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:17.790 just through high performance type of turns 87 00:03:17.790 --> 00:03:19.790 that people rarely do in the real world. 88 00:03:20.880 --> 00:03:22.230 Upon acceleration she presents 89 00:03:22.230 --> 00:03:23.990 a minimal eight and a half degree bow rise, 90 00:03:23.990 --> 00:03:26.460 with no loss of visibility to the horizon. 91 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:28.080 She rolls 10 degrees into the turns, 92 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.100 and when taking power off, 93 00:03:29.100 --> 00:03:31.300 she settles back into the water stern first. 94 00:03:32.775 --> 00:03:34.160 And coming back into the dock, 95 00:03:34.160 --> 00:03:36.880 the Volvo Penta Sterndrive Joystick made easy work 96 00:03:36.880 --> 00:03:38.683 of crosswinds or crosscurrents. 97 00:03:39.940 --> 00:03:40.773 Now back at the dock, 98 00:03:40.773 --> 00:03:41.810 we can have some company aboard, 99 00:03:41.810 --> 00:03:44.280 so let's take a look at where we'll entertain them. 100 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:47.590 The folding swim platform comes out two feet, five inches. 101 00:03:47.590 --> 00:03:49.620 There's a grab handle across the back of the platform 102 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:51.520 for swimmers to hang onto. 103 00:03:51.520 --> 00:03:52.810 Pull up cleats are to both sides, 104 00:03:52.810 --> 00:03:55.590 eliminating a tripping hazard when not in use. 105 00:03:55.590 --> 00:03:58.650 Chaparral went with a four step re-boarding ladder. 106 00:03:58.650 --> 00:04:00.140 The faux teak decking is optional 107 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:02.520 and color matched to the interior. 108 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:04.510 The aft facing seat is a great place to relax 109 00:04:04.510 --> 00:04:06.380 when the 307 isn't under power, 110 00:04:06.380 --> 00:04:08.560 and easily converts to a sun pad. 111 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.760 And a stereo remote is conveniently located. 112 00:04:11.630 --> 00:04:12.590 Stepping into the cockpit, 113 00:04:12.590 --> 00:04:14.170 we see more of the comfort level 114 00:04:14.170 --> 00:04:15.960 that we've come to expect from Chaparral, 115 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:19.520 with a posing seating making a comfortable gathering area. 116 00:04:19.520 --> 00:04:20.840 Wraparound seating to port 117 00:04:20.840 --> 00:04:23.750 is opposite a double bench seat to starboard. 118 00:04:23.750 --> 00:04:25.410 This wet bar is offered as an option 119 00:04:25.410 --> 00:04:26.990 in lieu of the standard starboard seating, 120 00:04:26.990 --> 00:04:28.800 and it's a good choice. 121 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.520 It includes a 12 volt power supply, 122 00:04:30.520 --> 00:04:31.780 a sink with a pullout sprayer 123 00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:34.290 recessed into the solid surface countertop, 124 00:04:34.290 --> 00:04:35.380 a stainless grab handle, 125 00:04:35.380 --> 00:04:38.470 and a 25 quart cooler in a dedicated storage. 126 00:04:38.470 --> 00:04:40.770 A cockpit refrigerator can also be added here. 127 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.060 The observer seat is wide with a wraparound back 128 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.750 and open lumbar area. 129 00:04:45.750 --> 00:04:48.810 Extra padding and a flip up bolster add to the comfort. 130 00:04:48.810 --> 00:04:50.280 The captain gets the same seat 131 00:04:50.280 --> 00:04:53.180 with the addition of a slider release located to the side. 132 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:55.130 Moving to the bow, 133 00:04:55.130 --> 00:04:58.020 the walkthrough windshield has interconnected latches. 134 00:04:58.020 --> 00:04:59.710 The bow seating offers more than enough room 135 00:04:59.710 --> 00:05:00.930 to stretch my legs out, 136 00:05:00.930 --> 00:05:02.240 and there's another stereo remote 137 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:03.840 tucked under the padded bolster. 138 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:05.820 And above it all, 139 00:05:05.820 --> 00:05:07.670 the sport arch is custom painted aluminum, 140 00:05:07.670 --> 00:05:09.570 with a bimini for sun protection. 141 00:05:09.570 --> 00:05:11.910 And LED tri-colored lighting for nighttime use, 142 00:05:11.910 --> 00:05:13.510 all standard. 143 00:05:13.510 --> 00:05:14.343 And of course, 144 00:05:14.343 --> 00:05:15.650 if anyone needs to use the facilities, 145 00:05:15.650 --> 00:05:16.630 there's a standard head, 146 00:05:16.630 --> 00:05:18.980 and Chaparral cut right to the high end of the spectrum, 147 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:21.140 with a vacuum flush toilet with china bowl, 148 00:05:21.140 --> 00:05:23.060 stainless sink with pullout faucet, 149 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.380 mirrored storage cabinet, 150 00:05:24.380 --> 00:05:26.810 light, power vent, wood flooring, 151 00:05:26.810 --> 00:05:28.030 and an opening port light. 152 00:05:28.030 --> 00:05:29.670 All standard. 153 00:05:29.670 --> 00:05:31.550 Storage is under the seats as usual, 154 00:05:31.550 --> 00:05:34.580 but the cockpit index storage has a neat little trick. 155 00:05:34.580 --> 00:05:35.840 A drawer pulls out from the side, 156 00:05:35.840 --> 00:05:37.490 creating storage within storage. 157 00:05:37.490 --> 00:05:39.300 Clever use of space. 158 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:42.380 More storage is behind the air dam at the helm console. 159 00:05:42.380 --> 00:05:43.760 Under the seats at the bow, 160 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:45.400 and a second index storage compartment 161 00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:46.783 is between the bow seats. 162 00:05:47.708 --> 00:05:48.910 At the end of the day, 163 00:05:48.910 --> 00:05:50.350 with the fully lined cockpit, 164 00:05:50.350 --> 00:05:52.640 washdowns are easy with the water running over the side 165 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:54.230 through the cockpit drains. 166 00:05:54.230 --> 00:05:55.620 I'd leave the optional snap-in carpet 167 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:57.020 off the invoice for my boat. 168 00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:00.090 Clearly, Chaparral pulled out all the stops 169 00:06:00.090 --> 00:06:02.070 with this 307 SSX. 170 00:06:02.070 --> 00:06:03.040 She's a premium build, 171 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:03.873 and as such, 172 00:06:03.873 --> 00:06:05.460 a lot of her upscale features are included 173 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:06.950 as standard equipment. 174 00:06:06.950 --> 00:06:10.271 And that's my full review of the 307SSX from Chaparral. 175 00:06:10.271 --> 00:06:11.560 From BoatTEST.com, 176 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:12.630 I'm Captain Steve. 177 00:06:12.630 --> 00:06:13.980 We'll see you on the water.