New Boat Purchase Question About Weight

[Kes22]

Hello all,

​I will be purchasing a new ski boat between now and spring and am doing some research between the two biggest brands that are sold in my area, Crownline and Chaparral. I'm looking into a 19' Bowrider and each company produces one. While reading about each boat, I realized that the Crownline was 1100 pounds heavier than the Chaparral. The Crownline being 3640 and the Chap being 2540. This to me is a dramatic difference between boats of the same size. My question is, which is better? Should I be looking for heavier or lighter? My current boat is a 1995 195 Celebrity and weighs about 3500 pounds.

​Thanks so much for your thoughts and insight on this matter. Any opinions on these two manufacturers are welcome as well.

​Ken

 

[oldjeep]

Hello all,

​I will be purchasing a new ski boat between now and spring and am doing some research between the two biggest brands that are sold in my area, Crownline and Chaparral. I'm looking into a 19' Bowrider and each company produces one. While reading about each boat, I realized that the Crownline was 1100 pounds heavier than the Chaparral. The Crownline being 3640 and the Chap being 2540. This to me is a dramatic difference between boats of the same size. My question is, which is better? Should I be looking for heavier or lighter? My current boat is a 1995 195 Celebrity and weighs about 3500 pounds.

​Thanks so much for your thoughts and insight on this matter. Any opinions on these two manufacturers are welcome as well.

​Ken

Heavier tends to ride better but also needs more horsepower to make it go. Neither of those is a ski boat

I'm a little surprised by that amount of weight difference, are you sure that one weight doesn't include the trailer?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Given the same power, the lighter boat would probably be a bit zippier, but the heavier boat would probably ride more comfortably, especially in rougher water.

What sort of motor/drive does each have?

 

[Kes22]

Thanks for the quick replies.

​Oldjeep, on their respective websites, each is listed as "Dry Weight". Neither specifies whether or not a trailer is involved. I just can't imagine that there is such a large difference of boats of the same length. Also, can you give me some insight on your comment about these not being ski boats? Should I be looking at something else. My biggest issue is that Southern Illinois doesn't offer many brands to choose from that are close by. I'm also limited by budget. I need to stay roughly in the 40-45k area. I realize jumping to more of a performance boat would most likely double the price of the boats I'm looking at.

​JASinIL2006, each is an I/O with a 200hp Merc. I'm on a relatively small lake and we don't see much in the way of rough water unless the lake is busy. Do you think the is much difference in construction that would produce a 1100 pound weight difference?

 

[garbageguy]

Many types of boats can be used to ski behind, and there are boats made specifically for that. I'm guessing you're not looking for the latter.

 

[Kes22]

Many types of boats can be used to ski behind, and there are boats made specifically for that. I'm guessing you're not looking for the latter.

​I guess not. lol..... I've been using a 1995 Celebrity to ski for 22 years. I guess I thought that made it a "ski" boat. So if I don't have a ski boat.... what do I have?

 

[GA_Boater]

The weights do make sense in a way, it's the words in the specs that make no sense.

The Crownline 19 H20 Sport dry weight is 2540#.
The Chaparrall 195 SS max dry weight is 3640#.

Dry weight means a boat with no fuel, safety equipment or passengers and other stuff. No idea what max dry weight means.

Visit the dealers and ask questions. Boat shows are on the horizon - Go look, climb inside the boats, look at the Coast Guard tags and ask questions.

 

[Scott Danforth]

​I guess not. lol..... I've been using a 1995 Celebrity to ski for 22 years. I guess I thought that made it a "ski" boat. So if I don't have a ski boat.... what do I have?

a bow rider

a ski boat is usually an inboard v-drive with a rudder and a center-mounted ski pylon

 

[oldjeep]

Thanks for the quick replies.

​Oldjeep, on their respective websites, each is listed as "Dry Weight". Neither specifies whether or not a trailer is involved. I just can't imagine that there is such a large difference of boats of the same length. Also, can you give me some insight on your comment about these not being ski boats? Should I be looking at something else. My biggest issue is that Southern Illinois doesn't offer many brands to choose from that are close by. I'm also limited by budget. I need to stay roughly in the 40-45k area. I realize jumping to more of a performance boat would most likely double the price of the boats I'm looking at.

​JASinIL2006, each is an I/O with a 200hp Merc. I'm on a relatively small lake and we don't see much in the way of rough water unless the lake is busy. Do you think the is much difference in construction that would produce a 1100 pound weight difference?

The crownline says "Max dry weight" not just dry weight. Makes me wonder if they added in the boat capacity with the actual dry weight. I guess it could be that tubby, but that is a lot of weight for a boat that size.

As for it not being a ski boat, those boats are runabouts. Not that you can't ski behind them but a ski boat is a inboard or v-drive with a fixed prop/rudder.

 

[Kes22]

Thanks guys for the clarification, its great info. I'll talk to the dealers and see if I can't clear up the weight difference issue. Did anyone have any thoughts on the two brands I'm looking into? Anyone like one more than the other?

 

[southkogs]

Crownline is probably seen as the "nicer" boat - maybe a little more high end. But Chaparral is a nice boat. Nothing wrong with it if it does what you want and like the layout.

 

[briangcc]

Just to clarify, the Chaparral is in the H2O series as they dropped a number of SSi and other boats. You might find a left over from 2017 sitting at a marina but they do get discounted at end of season and usually won't last at the discounted price. The weight on the Chap is listed at 2450 - not max, this is dry weight.

I'd say its fairly accurate as I own the Ski & Fish model of the boat with the 180HP motor. I can't attest to towing anything behind it as I'm still in the factory break in period - 9.2 hours. Yes, the weather was that poor this year with rain & severe flooding.

Ask away as I'll answer any question I can on mine - the plain jane H2O should be very similar...


Reason I went with the Chap over the Crown...Cost is the major factor but also Crown didn't have a Ski & Fish model.

 

[jkust]

I assume that you are comparing the relatively new, low end, entry level H20 Chaparral to a full fledged Crownline. The H20 is the 'get you into boating at a low price point and you still get some of the Chaparral quality' boat and isn't an appropriate apples to apples comparison. Still a nice boat, just not the same echelon as what I am assuming that crownline model is. Sadly, Chaparral had almost completely discontinued their nice SSI line of boats and opted to focus on their inexpensive H20 series as well as their Suncoast line of outboard powered boats and their larger cruisers.

 

[Kes22]

I assume that you are comparing the relatively new, low end, entry level H20 Chaparral to a full fledged Crownline. The H20 is the 'get you into boating at a low price point and you still get some of the Chaparral quality' boat and isn't an appropriate apples to apples comparison. Still a nice boat, just not the same echelon as what I am assuming that crownline model is. Sadly, Chaparral had almost completely discontinued their nice SSI line of boats and opted to focus on their inexpensive H20 series as well as their Suncoast line of outboard powered boats and their larger cruisers.

​Yes, it's the H2O series. I chose that particular boat because it's the only boat offered in a size that works for me. I would be really interested to know what the differences in quality that you talked about are. What makes it "low end"? The cost difference between the two (somewhat equally equipped) boats is right at $4k. To jump to the next level of Chap is $30k which is something that is out of my reach.

 

[tpenfield]

​I guess not. lol..... I've been using a 1995 Celebrity to ski for 22 years. I guess I thought that made it a "ski" boat. So if I don't have a ski boat.... what do I have?

Bowrider . .

A ski boat says "MasterCraft" on the side

 

[Gtbuzzbee]

SeaRay released the SPX 21 to compete with the Chap H20 line as I considered both. There are several advantages over the two you listed. The 21 is actually 21' 6" with a capacity of 12 on board. Very few 25' even have a capacity of 12. Its also heavier than the two listed which could improve the ride quality. I purchased new last august for 49K and the sticker was 53K. This spring I upgraded the audio with JL speakers and a sub. Also added speakers out the back as well for $2200. I am considering selling to move to a 28' boat with head. I live in NC and boat the majority of my time on Jordan Lake. 71 Hours with a 4.3 V^ MPI engine.

​Andy

 

[BRICH1260]

I suggest you consider buying a newer used boat and step up in size and quality for the money you will spend. 19ft gets real small real quick bringing family and friends. Believe me, you`ll wish you had. Get a larger upgraded model of either for the same or less money than these entry level models. Both brands make good boats. I have a Chap and my buddy has a Crown.

 

[jkust]

​Yes, it's the H2O series. I chose that particular boat because it's the only boat offered in a size that works for me. I would be really interested to know what the differences in quality that you talked about are. What makes it "low end"? The cost difference between the two (somewhat equally equipped) boats is right at $4k. To jump to the next level of Chap is $30k which is something that is out of my reach.

Go to the showrooms and take a look at the leftover SSI models. It will take you one second to see. The h20 is a Hyundai Sonata which is an excellent car, but it isn't a Mercedes. Same reason everyone doesn't drive a full luxury car when a midsized is good enough. The premium price is just that.

 

[redneck joe]

Interesting your current 19 footer weighs so much more than a new one. Did that include a trailer?

 

[garbageguy]

I suggest you consider buying a newer used boat and step up in size and quality for the money you will spend. 19ft gets real small real quick bringing family and friends. Believe me, you`ll wish you had. Get a larger upgraded model of either for the same or less money than these entry level models. Both brands make good boats. I have a Chap and my buddy has a Crown.

+1 on that. Take some time, get the layout that works for you