Chaparral 247SSX Sports Bowrider Review

Ok, I’ll come clean – my not-so-secret love affair with Chaparral boats has only grown stronger after recently experiencing the pleasure of driving the wonderful 247SSX bowrider with its gutsy Mercury 6.2 litre DTS V8 engine and Bravo 111 duo-prop sterndrive. I have often said that the perfect boat will never be made, but for fellow lovers of sports bowriders, this certainly comes very close.

Chaparral says, “The incredible 247 SSX packs more elegance, performance and innovation than family boaters have ever experienced at this widely popular length.”

Where once a 19’ bowrider was considered a large boat, at 24’6” LOA the 247SSX now reflects our demands for large family sports boats that cater to the whole party comfortably, and with enough power to rock their socks off!

Even at that size, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance.

60 Years of Boating History

It’s now approaching 60 years of Chaparral boating history, and their hydrodynamics, with matching power source, combined with advanced manufacturing processes, produce truly wonderful performance hulls with very capable seakeeping abilities. Chapparal boats always portray a general feeling of confidence and command, plus they’re just downright fun to drive.

We found the 247SSX topped out with a wide open throttle (WOT), hitting the magical 50.5 mph at 5300RPM. That’s more than enough power for any family boating scenario, and more than capable of providing plenty of predictable thrills. Passengers can safely enjoy blowing out the cobwebs with the wind in their hair in the comfortable bowrider, or tuck in to the luxury cockpit seating for a more sedate and protected ride of your life.

The sheer torque from the Mercury 6.2-litre V8 erupts through the Bravo 111 duo-prop stern drive, lifting the freshly designed hull up and onto the plane in a burst of horsepower. The Extended V-Plane hull has a keel plank adding extra lift to the 2.59 m (8’6”) beam and 20-degree monohull deadrise. It lifts quickly with very little bow rise, plus the option of using “Active Trim” for precise automatic levelling. The DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift system) provides precise and smooth control and combines with Mercury Marine’s SmartCraft system that fully integrates with smart gauges that show speed, RPM, fuel usage and burn, estimated range and much more.

Chaparral 247 SSX Exhilaration

The hull also combines added volume into the stem, catering for the added weight of exhilarated bow riders, helping to keep the craft on a steady plane without dipping into the trough in choppy conditions and turns. When properly trimmed, the hull has a relatively low wake for social skiing but could easily be increased for boarding by shifting some weight with its huge capacity of up to 13 passengers, or ballast. The ride is soft and quiet, reflecting the Kevlar reinforced laminate featuring premium Hydropel resin, foam fill and noise absorbent Seadek flooring.

Chapparal also claim that “There's no mistaking the style lines, attention to detail and efficient use of space” of the 247SSX and I agree wholeheartedly. The ergonomics, seating capacity, upholstery and trim quality, mouldings, legroom, function and storage space all combine to make an exceptionally inviting and convertible layout allowing a good number of passengers to enjoy the excitement, or perhaps just a romantic cruise for two in complete luxury.

She’s very comfortable at the helm with terrific viewing of the twin Simrad 7” Go7 multi-function units displaying chosen and vital real-time information, plus unhindered vision through the three-piece wraparound windscreen locked in comfortably on the bolster-style swivel bucket seat.  She has a custom leather adjustable steering wheel with power-assisted steering, dual USB charging ports, stainless LED electronic switches with breakers, and a rocking sound system with six waterproof speakers with blue lights.

Versatile Layout with Luxury Touches

Out back is U-shaped aft bench seating with reversible backrest system that manually converts from double bench to sun lounge, and with a further flip-over backrest for the passenger seat to quickly convert from forward to rear facing. Chaparral are keen to promote their new premium stain-resistant upholstery fabric made from 100% SiO Silicone, making it virtually maintenance-free. SiO is a pure form of silicone which, unlike conventional marine seating, is free of chemical additives and is said to offer “enhanced durability, robust scuffing and scratch resistance, and the softest and most comfortable marine seating surface available today.”

As always, Chaparral's internal mouldings are quite beautiful as well as functional, providing plenty of seating and storage, plus there’s a handy walk-thru to the extended transom boarding platform. The engine is very easy to access with a gas-assisted lift, plus the 247SSX features a complete cockpit drainage system, moulded cooler and footrests, ski and kneeboard storage, plenty of stainless grab rails and refreshment holders and in our demo boat, there was premium Seadek flooring throughout.

Stepping through the stainless-framed windscreen, which opens in the centre, takes us to the immensely comfortable bowrider. At first, it seems quite conventional. However, there’s a further ice chest under the centre mouldings, and the seat base and backrests flip up on both port and starboard, accessing a pair of very large storage compartments. Should you wish, there are optional bow filler cushions to convert to a bow sun lounge. I also like the fact that the 247SSX has a separate anchor locker, an essential item that is missing in many competitors.

When it comes to essential standard items the long list includes an automatic bilge pump, dual battery and switch, electric horn, port and starboard deck fills for the 227 litre plastic underfloor fuel tank, 38 litre fresh water tank, blower, LED lighting throughout, gunwale with stainless steel protection strip, 4 step hideaway swim ladder, plenty of premium stainless steel hardware including pop-up and fixed cleats and a long list of both standard and optional equipment. Overhead is a folding EFX tower with a bimini/cockpit awning package as displayed.

Engineered to Impress, Built to Last

All Chaparral boats are NMMA Certified using ABYC Standards and offer a Lifetime Limited Hull Warranty for customer assurance and satisfaction. She weighs just over 2000kg dry for the hull with engine. A range of trailers are available on request; however, please note that its beam does mean it is subject to Wide-Load towing conditions.

Whilst exchange rates and manufacturing costs aren’t entirely favourable for American imports at the present time, you can rest assured that you will be buying a wise investment. Premium-quality boats are always popular and retain high resale prices. Chaparral and their sister brand Robalo are distributed in Australia by Chaparral Australia/Aussie Boat Sales in Williamstown, Victoria, with sales outlets throughout the country.

Go on, you only live once – and this is as close to the perfect family/sports boat you will find. (In my opinion of course!!!)

Specifications - Chaparral 247SSX Boat Review

LOA 7.47m

Beam 2.59m

Weight/displacement 2041kg (dry boat only) 

Fuel capacity 227lt

Water capacity 38LT

Berths/capacity 13 passengers/801 kg

Power (as tested) Mercury 6.2 litre, DTS, V8 with Bravo 111 Duo-prop

Supplied by Chaparral Australia/Aussie Boat Sales, Williamstown, Victoria.

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