2004 Chaparral 190 ssi Hull Design - Porpoising?

[mcgolfpro]

This is my second thread - I'm a complete noob to boating, but I have done some research looked at a few dozen boats and I am narrowing in on a used 2004 Chaparral 190 ssi, 130 hours, V6 4.3 it seemed to be a step up from the 180 ssi's I had been looking at... The Chap dealers I talked too agreed, said it would handle better especiallly in some chop and it would feel like I "had a lot more boat aroound me"...so to my question(s) whats the opinion on the 190 ssi in general and compared to the 180 ssi, and I have heard of some having trouble with the 190 porpoising and the trim settings being very sensitive or that they must remain almost all the way in all the time to keep the boat from bouncing. I had also read that this problem is what precipitated a change in hull design for the 190 in 2005 or 2006... Somebody please help me sort out fact from fiction....Thanks!

 

[jkust]

Re: 2004 Chaparral 190 ssi Hull Design - Porpoising?

Well I have the 190ssi. It is known as both the 183SS and the 190ssi and it is the same exact hull from 2002 through 2008. No changes to the exterior/hull design and the interior had very minor enhancements each sucessive year until they dropped it for the widetech design (the WT looks more contemporary but is a lighter hull that handles less hp 225 vs 270hp). I am going on my 3rd season with my Chap so have a lot of thoughts. The 180 isn't on the same plane as the 190ssi. It is a 1980's Ford Escort compared to a premium brand car. IMO, it is so cheap (compared to the rest of the line up not compared to other brands) they should have never produced such an entry level boat. Chaps are known for building all their models with the same level of quality material from the vinyl gauge to the ss hardware to the kevlar hulls and so on. The exception is the 180. It is light weight, small gas tank, plastic instead of SS in many spots. It is along the lines of a Sea Ray 175 comparison wise. Understand the v6 version of the 190SSI weighs 2900lbs dry. I dare you to find another 18foot bowrider anywhere that is built this robustly. Even the last run of 18 foot Cobalts fell short. I didn't know the Chap brand and really stumbled upon it. It is hands down the nicest 2004, eighteen foot br you will find. I say that after shopping every available glass bowrider brand for two seasons before laying out nearly $20,000 in cash for a toy so I was picky. In any event, the trick to controlling the porpoising is controlling the trim. Just don't trim up so much and it is not an issue. As a matter of fact the Chaps have an Extended V Plane hull so more of the wetted surface is in the water which produces a better ride at the expense of slower top speed. You certainly don't have to keep the drive all the way in. You have been misinformed on that point.
Anything else you want to know just ask.

 

[superpop]

Re: 2004 Chaparral 190 ssi Hull Design - Porpoising?

I have a 2006 Chaparral 204SSi and they are very good boats. Mine is built like a tank and I can attest to the quality of the brand as well as I spent a considerable amount of time looking at all of the brands out there before settling on this boat. I have seen the same porpoising issue that you mention on my boat as well. I also experienced this in my last boat, a 19 foot wellcraft (another good brand) and have tried many different props and trim settings to minimize this. I just finally gave up and ordered a set of smart tabs as I have heard that they eliminate this problem along with increasing hole-shot and time on plane. I am not excited about drilling holes in my pristine hull but after doing tons of research I think the tabs will give me the ride I am looking for. I also do a lot of wake-boarding, tubing and water skiing so the issue of falling of plane at low speeds is a big deal as well. The other thing to be aware of is that Chaparrals are typically a little heavier than other boats because of the build quality and that means that it takes a little more oomph to drag all that weight out of the water. I would definitely do a thorough water test.

 

[jkust]

Re: 2004 Chaparral 190 ssi Hull Design - Porpoising?

I have a 2006 Chaparral 204SSi and they are very good boats. Mine is built like a tank and I can attest to the quality of the brand as well as I spent a considerable amount of time looking at all of the brands out there before settling on this boat. I have seen the same porpoising issue that you mention on my boat as well. I also experienced this in my last boat, a 19 foot wellcraft (another good brand) and have tried many different props and trim settings to minimize this. I just finally gave up and ordered a set of smart tabs as I have heard that they eliminate this problem along with increasing hole-shot and time on plane. I am not excited about drilling holes in my pristine hull but after doing tons of research I think the tabs will give me the ride I am looking for. I also do a lot of wake-boarding, tubing and water skiing so the issue of falling of plane at low speeds is a big deal as well. The other thing to be aware of is that Chaparrals are typically a little heavier than other boats because of the build quality and that means that it takes a little more oomph to drag all that weight out of the water. I would definitely do a thorough water test.

Yes deceivingly heavy. My 18 footer and single axle trailer is a hair shy of 4000lbs on the scale. You have to pay attention to the vehicle you plan to use to tow. It is also a challenge to move by hand at the dock cause it is so darn heavy for how short it is. If you can find one (which I couldn't used or new) get the 4.3mpi, or the 5.0 carb (in that order). If you can find the 5.0mpi you will be a happy camper. The 4.3 is decent until you start loading up the passengers. The extra weight from the 180ssi to the 190ssi is 800lbs even though they are both 18 feet and many times both have the 4.3 plus the gas tank is almost 10 gallons larger. That a bunch of heavy people.

 

[kennyg1957]

Re: 2004 Chaparral 190 ssi Hull Design - Porpoising?

Hey Superpop I also own that same 204ssi, mine a 2005 and I love the boat other than the porpoising in almost any chop! Did the trim tabs solve your problem? With such a deep hull there should not be this problem! I see other boats blowing thru at 35mph and I am working it 18 - 22 to find a smooth ride still with little success. Rides perfect in still water. Thx!