Sheboat
Jetboaters Lieutenant
- Messages
- 83
- Reaction score
- 107
- Points
- 152
- Location
- Rockford, Illinois
- Boat Make
- Malibu
- Year
- 2015
- Boat Model
- Other
- Boat Length
- 23
Last weekend we took a 2015 Chaparral 243Vortex VRX out for a test drive and I was impressed with low speed maneuverability. I have been driving a Yamaha SX230 since 2007 with no added fins and have learned to handle the boat very well at slow speeds and docking. I have to say that the Chaparral handles better in low and idle speeds. I barely had to move the steering wheel and it was a very windy day. Anyone would be able to drive this in slow speeds it was that easy. Pulling into the dock was a terrible experience because I was trying to do it like my Yamaha and got totally turned around but then the second attempt, when the dealer showed me how to slowly angle in with the dock mode, was very smooth. The way the jets direct the water out the sides instead of straight back or downward provided a stabilizing effect.
I felt the boat handled similar to the Yamaha at high speeds but did notice when I dropped into neutral from a high speed the boat didn't drop it's nose like the Yamaha does and it didn't go into a slow spin. The boat stayed level and I really liked that it stopped and stayed on course. I felt like I was driving a stern drive boat. I didn't like the single throttle because it has a button on it that requires you to push in to go into drive, neutral then reverse and I am used to just adjusting the throttle from forward to reverse without pushing a tiny thumb button. The more I drove the boat and did the docking I realize maybe that is not such a big deal since it maneuvers so well without going back and forth from forward to reverse but it may be harder to do those sub moves!
The interior is very nice and the walk thru from the swim deck is great, you don't have to climb over a seat or grab onto the bimini/tower to step in its all pretty much one level and a small step to the floor. I like the way the head opens from the back not the side and you can still open it with seat where it is and with the back rest up for sitting towards the stern. On the Yamaha when you sit on the passenger seat it is hard for shorter people to see over the head compartment but that is not the case with the Chaparral, you can sit comfortable and see over the head just fine.
I also like the fact that the Chaparral has lower gunwales (sides) so you can sit comfortably anywhere and have your arm up on the side of the boat, in the Yamaha when I am sitting in the bow or even in the stern when I put my arm up to rest on the side my elbow is much higher than my shoulder (could be another short person problem). The 3 step stern ladder on the boat is not centered like the Yamaha and is off to the side. There is only one handle and it was slightly difficult again for someone with shorter arms to reach that handle and pull themselves into the boat. If they had a ladder like the newer Yamahas that are tilted that would probably help.
The VRX comes standard with two batteries and you can open the swim deck cushions and get to the battery switch and it also has a valve to close if you are ever getting towed.
The helm storage area is roomier with a larger opening and has the bow/cockpit divider door and a second door behind it. The wiring is neatly concealed and fastened so storing larger items is not a concern. This should keep the head area less cluttered. The speakers in the cockpit can be heard while underway. This may be because they are placed above the seats and angled toward the passengers.
I did like the fact that you can pick your choice of color, graphics and different options like tower, ballast and an aerial surf platform (which Sue is excited about). The electronic control screen with the ski options allows you to adjust the ramp up and speed. This was very intuitive.
All in all I would consider buying a Chaparral as our next boat so we can start wake surfing.
I felt the boat handled similar to the Yamaha at high speeds but did notice when I dropped into neutral from a high speed the boat didn't drop it's nose like the Yamaha does and it didn't go into a slow spin. The boat stayed level and I really liked that it stopped and stayed on course. I felt like I was driving a stern drive boat. I didn't like the single throttle because it has a button on it that requires you to push in to go into drive, neutral then reverse and I am used to just adjusting the throttle from forward to reverse without pushing a tiny thumb button. The more I drove the boat and did the docking I realize maybe that is not such a big deal since it maneuvers so well without going back and forth from forward to reverse but it may be harder to do those sub moves!
The interior is very nice and the walk thru from the swim deck is great, you don't have to climb over a seat or grab onto the bimini/tower to step in its all pretty much one level and a small step to the floor. I like the way the head opens from the back not the side and you can still open it with seat where it is and with the back rest up for sitting towards the stern. On the Yamaha when you sit on the passenger seat it is hard for shorter people to see over the head compartment but that is not the case with the Chaparral, you can sit comfortable and see over the head just fine.
I also like the fact that the Chaparral has lower gunwales (sides) so you can sit comfortably anywhere and have your arm up on the side of the boat, in the Yamaha when I am sitting in the bow or even in the stern when I put my arm up to rest on the side my elbow is much higher than my shoulder (could be another short person problem). The 3 step stern ladder on the boat is not centered like the Yamaha and is off to the side. There is only one handle and it was slightly difficult again for someone with shorter arms to reach that handle and pull themselves into the boat. If they had a ladder like the newer Yamahas that are tilted that would probably help.
The VRX comes standard with two batteries and you can open the swim deck cushions and get to the battery switch and it also has a valve to close if you are ever getting towed.
The helm storage area is roomier with a larger opening and has the bow/cockpit divider door and a second door behind it. The wiring is neatly concealed and fastened so storing larger items is not a concern. This should keep the head area less cluttered. The speakers in the cockpit can be heard while underway. This may be because they are placed above the seats and angled toward the passengers.
I did like the fact that you can pick your choice of color, graphics and different options like tower, ballast and an aerial surf platform (which Sue is excited about). The electronic control screen with the ski options allows you to adjust the ramp up and speed. This was very intuitive.
All in all I would consider buying a Chaparral as our next boat so we can start wake surfing.
