Chaparral boats, any good?
#21
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I think chapparal is average quality - one below sea ray, cobalt, formula. BUT I've never owned one, so I'll admit that I'm a little biased. I tend to look at the older boats and how they've held up. I see lots of 1980 something sea rays that still look great or have been restored...........can't say the same for chapparal.
#22
21 and 42 footers
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Chaparal didn't make many boats 20-25 years ago. Searay did, but they have decided to compete in the "price" market quite a bit in the runabout catagories the last few years. Searay will always be a "known" but the Chaparal dealer has made quite a name for the brand in this region too. (I'd put Chap over the searay by a small margin)
#23
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There are lots of Chaparrals around where I boat. As has been said before, they aren't as substantial as a Cobalt, but they are a good quality boat, definitely Sea-Ray quality. From what I've heard they have a decent warranty package as well.
#24
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Location: 1000 Islands/Ottawa Ontario
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Searay 240 Sundeck against the dock, Chapparal 236 SSi on the outside. The Searay needed some tab input this day to keep everyone happy and dry, the Chapparal didn't. 5.0/B3 in the Chapparal runs as well as a 5.7/B3 in the Searay.
#25
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Not sure what your trying to prove with the tabs, but clearly the 240 sundeck is bigger than the 236SSi chapparal. The chapparal looks more like a 22ft boat. The sundeck is 24ft without the swim platform (26 with swim platform). The sundeck also has a completely different and IMO more usefull seating configuration. The sundeck, by design has seating that is off balance (i.e. most of the seating is to the port side). With the sundeck on a full load you will have 4 people on the starboard side, one in the center stern, and 7 on the port side. AND that requires tabs to operate the boat level. However, if you fill the 20 gallon water tank, which is located to the stern - starboard side, it will help balance the boat. The 236SSi has balanced seating, but gives up a couple of seats when compared to the 240 sundeck. Also look at the bow seating area. On the 240 sundeck I've got plenty of room for 2 full size adults to sit up front - legs out. In fact on a good day- I've put 7 adults in the bowrider alone and all comfortably enjoyed the 1hr drive home in the rough. The bow also has a filler cushion and I can and have had 4 lady's laying down sunbathing. Try that in the 236SSi. IMO - there is no comparison. There is a reason why the sundeck is sea rays best seller,
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
Last edited by TexomaPowerboater; 11-13-2007 at 12:24 PM.
#26
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Not sure what your trying to prove with the tabs, but clearly the 240 sundeck is bigger than the 236SSi chapparal. The chapparal looks more like a 22ft boat. The sundeck is 24ft without the swim platform (26 with swim platform). The sundeck also has a completely different and IMO more usefull seating configuration. The sundeck, by design has seating that is off balance (i.e. most of the seating is to the port side). With the sundeck on a full load you will have 4 people on the starboard side, one in the center stern, and 7 on the port side. AND that requires tabs to operate the boat level. However, if you fill the 20 gallon water tank, which is located to the stern - starboard side, it will help balance the boat. The 236SSi has balanced seating, but gives up a couple of seats when compared to the 240 sundeck. Also look at the bow seating area. On the 240 sundeck I've got plenty of room for 2 full size adults to sit up front - legs out. In fact on a good day- I've put 7 adults in the bowrider alone and all comfortably enjoyed the 1hr drive home in the rough. The bow also has a filler cushion and I can and have had 4 lady's laying down sunbathing. Try that in the 236SSi. IMO - there is no comparison. There is a reason why the sundeck is sea rays best seller,
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
#27
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Not sure what your trying to prove with the tabs, but clearly the 240 sundeck is bigger than the 236SSi chapparal. The chapparal looks more like a 22ft boat. The sundeck is 24ft without the swim platform (26 with swim platform). The sundeck also has a completely different and IMO more usefull seating configuration. The sundeck, by design has seating that is off balance (i.e. most of the seating is to the port side). With the sundeck on a full load you will have 4 people on the starboard side, one in the center stern, and 7 on the port side. AND that requires tabs to operate the boat level. However, if you fill the 20 gallon water tank, which is located to the stern - starboard side, it will help balance the boat. The 236SSi has balanced seating, but gives up a couple of seats when compared to the 240 sundeck. Also look at the bow seating area. On the 240 sundeck I've got plenty of room for 2 full size adults to sit up front - legs out. In fact on a good day- I've put 7 adults in the bowrider alone and all comfortably enjoyed the 1hr drive home in the rough. The bow also has a filler cushion and I can and have had 4 lady's laying down sunbathing. Try that in the 236SSi. IMO - there is no comparison. There is a reason why the sundeck is sea rays best seller,
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
What is the max seating capacity on the 236ssi?
#28
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having owned both Chap 243 and SR 240 the Chap is a much better performer both had the 350Mag BIII set up. The SR does hold it value better though.
#29
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I have a buddy that is a Chapparal dealer in NJ, and I work for him occassionally. He has some leftovers available including a '04 Signature 260 ( NEW). if anyone has a particular boat in mind let me know.
Last edited by CMC; 11-14-2007 at 07:33 AM.
#30
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