Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

[jgemelli]

Hi, to give you some history My family of 4 started boating last year and bought a 1986 Baja Islander 22' BowRider which was great fun. Unfortunately the boat now needs way more than is sensible. (engine, lower, floor etc.) Being that we had a ton of fun with the boat I started looking at a boat show for something new. The H2O line looks really nice to me at a great price point. The link is below to the boat I think I want except they don't have the 2013 up on the web yet.
2012 Chaparral 19 Sport H2O

My questions are if anybody has any horror stories about these boats or suggestions on what to buy with it.

I know I want a tower eventually is it better to buy it from the dealer?

thanks iBoats folks!

John

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

If you or someone else installs an aftermarket tower usually this voids any hull warranties.

 

[jgemelli]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

Wow thanks for the info. I will definitely get it from the start in that case. Will help me get it past the wife to boot!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

What engine do you plan to get? I wouldn't be real interested in the 3.0 in a 19' boat.

 

[jgemelli]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

What engine do you plan to get? I wouldn't be real interested in the 3.0 in a 19' boat.

I plan to get the MPI 220HP 4.3 - we do pull a big tube and though they say the 3.0 should work I don't believe it for a minute. If I were only wake-boarding it might be okay but I am already moving down from a 260HP 5.7 and don't want to regret under powering the boat from the start.

 

[D1vemaster]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

You can do everything with the 4.3 in a 18 to 20 footer. No problem. 22 and up you'll need more.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

No issues with the H20 line of boats. They are new models last year. Great bang for the buck. I was impressed with the fit and finish at the boat show for an entry level boat. Chap does things right.

 

[jkust]

Re: Looking to buy new Chaparral 19' H2O Sport BowRider

Well having had an 18 foot 3 inch (19' 11" with optional platform) Chaparral for a number of years, I can say that they build a nice boat. Where others tended to cut corners and skimp here and there, Chap didn't. Others will divert your attention with a wood steering wheel and shiny speaker covers but then skimp where it matters most. When I look at a small bowrider, I tend to put some focus on the dry weight. The heavier it is, the nicer/ more robustly built it was and the better it will take chop and rough conditions comparitively. My little 18 footer is deceivingly heavy since my lake friends never expect a small boat to be so heavy...even the Chap gas tanks are extra large for not being fishing heritage boats such as a Tahoe. The H20 series is the downgrading of the Chaparral presumably in response to a down economy. While they are certainly nice boats compared to their competition, they have substantially decreased the dry weights and now the max hp is way down to 220 vs the 270 even the small ones had for many years. While I like the H20 series, I wouldn't go below the 196SSI and most certainly wouldn't buy a new one anyway. Chap owners are notoriously picky about the upkeep and condition of their boats...which bodes well for a used buyer. Many boats have caught up ammenity-wise to my Chap but they can't hide their lighter construction. A lightly used, few year old SSI series is where i'd put my focus.