Chap Quality Control is gone

[alldodge]

FYI for anyone looking at Chap
Have a 2023 Chap 280 OSX and the boat looks "great" but that is only skin deep. Their are numerous things that just are not done correctly, and even missing. Loose and missing screws. Stacks of washers used to hold seats up to proper level. Places were the vinyl was worn and scraped by tools used to install seat screws. Unable to get behind the helm (dash) without removing displays, there is no access behind to even begin to gain access.

Helm screws used to hold helm in place are not fully seated, and vinyl protrudes around seats and helm console. Selling as a high end boat but its just a cheap boat with nice looks

 

[dubs283]

Boat quality has drastically decreased in the past five years across all brands. I'm often amazed at not just the poor quality of components and build but access to seemingly routine maintenance items. I often mutter to myself about the design team when I'm dealing with battery placement. Fundamental power systems need to be at least somewhat accessible for emergency situations. Seems many builders open their ears and design ideas too often to customer complaints regarding storage, look and general appeal.

Chaparral quality began the big slide downhill about 15 years ago on their bigger (twin engine) boats. Selling cheap luxury not to mention iffy warranty support

 

[tpenfield]

AD - sorry to hear about the quality issues with your new boat. Not sure what can be done.

 

[racerone]

People were buying everything that came out the door.------Opportunity to make money in the short term.

 

[Lou C]

A family member has a 2020 21’ SSI with the 4.5 Merc I/O. Nice boat assembly quality is actually pretty good. Engine access, well anything but the oil filter oil fill & water drain are tough to get at. Even batteries; the way they installed the battery switch you can hardly see 1, Both, 2 or off settings. Batteries not easy to get at. If you ever had to change the starter or power steering actuator you’d have to pull the engine. Nice boat but not for me.

 

[alldodge]

Nothing can be done, have told the Dealer and it's not their fault, as before just info for those that may be looking

 

[tpenfield]

Nothing can be done, have told the Dealer and it's not their fault, as before just info for those that may be looking

Yes, and it's not like you can just go out and buy something else. Buying a new/new(er) boat tends to be a long term commitment due to the financial aspects.

 

[racerone]

Do employees get paid per hour ?-----Or by the job?-------If they can prove that the job is " done " they get paid.-----Right or wrong.----Piece work can lead to short cuts.

 

[tpenfield]

Nothing can be done, have told the Dealer and it's not their fault, as before just info for those that may be looking

AD - I will say, it is hard owning another brand of boat once you've owned a Formula

 

[Lou C]

Those faults sound like they are using under trained & under supervised workers. Final QC inspection should catch those issues so someone’s not doing their job.

 

[Lou C]

BTW
Just for fun I went to price out the current version of my old boat (200 Horizon) the cheapest 20’ boat they sell, starts at $60k, with normal options it hits almost $70k.
The 2020 Chap bought by a relative went for about $38k it was a year old with less than 60 hrs in it. I did not want him to get an I/O for our boating environment but it was nearly impossible to find outboard boats then. So far it’s been fine but would not want to own one of these long term. Engine access is just too limited.

 

[dingbat]

It all starts with poor designs coming from Engineering….if the design is solid, a monkey can be taught to do the assembly work.

 

[flashback]

well AD, knowing you from many of your posts, I figure what is most frustrating for you is that you can't put it right without risk of voiding a warranty... hang in there you will eventually get it the way you want..