Chaparral Boats?

[bv523]

I am in the market to purchase a deck boat for my family. I have looked at several different boat makers Sea Ray, Ebbitde, Monterey and Chapparal. Out of these i like the Chapparal the best and have a demo set up for this weekend. My queswtion is does Chaparral make a good boat. Does anyone have a Chaparral? If so what do you think of it? How does it perform. Any info would be great. Thank you

 

[KCook]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

Very attractive boats. I have not been in one, but have heard some complaints on ride in chop. Also take a look at Azure, Crownline, and Four Winns if you get the chance. Here is another thread on deckboats -

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=620250

Kelly Cook

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

Don't let them take you out for the test ride early in the morning when the water's calm. You need to go out during the day when you'd usually be there with all the other boats riding around. Boat's ride alot different in choppy water than on a calm lake.

 

[jevery]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

I would add Bryant boats (bryantboats.com) to your list of boats to compare to. They produce a 23 ft deck boat that is very well built. When I was in the market for a 21' bowrider I was looking hard at the Chapparals - Very good looking boats. I also came across Bryant boats at the local boat show. After researching and looking a different boats for another year I bought the Bryant. My previous boat was a Trisonic. I ended up having to replace the wood floor and the wood transom at about 10 years of age at considerable cost. Bryants are ALL composite, absoultely no wood is used in construction. They are laid up by hand without the use of a chopper gun. They use AME 5000 resin in their fiberglass layup. When comparing quality ask those three questions. Are the stringers, transom, or the floor constructed of wood? Is a chopper gun used for layup?, and what grade of marine resin is used? I know that there are other quality boats out there, though Bryant is the only good brand I have extensive experience with. I owned the boat for four years then sold it for within $1,000 of what I paid when new. Needless to say my experience with Bryants was a good one. I'm not saying that wood shouldn't be used in a boat. I now own an aluminum hull fishing boat with a wood transom and floor, though I'm fanatical about keeping it dry and out of the weather. Do your research and good luck with your purchase.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

i also suggest you look at the Chris Craft. excellent boat, we have a 1999 230 deckboat, 5.7 VolvoPenta SP outdrive, rated for 13 people, all deck boat will have a little rougher ride than a DeepV in a chop. because they are a combination of the poontoon, tri-hull, and DeepV. it's one of the things you have to give up, inorder to get the space, and stability of the deckboat. it's great for skiing, tubing, or just a day cruise, and a couple of drinks.

 

[swist]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

I think of Chapparals as high quality lake boats for people who want to be seen in a slick looking boat. I certainly can't find much fault with the fit-and-finish. But as in any boat purchase your intended use of the craft is the most important factor. If you want to fish in the ocean (for example) you are probably looking at the wrong boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

i order a hitch from etrailer and installed myself in about 30 minutes, save me about $150 over uhaul, and the other installers.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Chaparral Boats?

I love my Sunnesta 232!