The Chaparral jet boats...

[McMark]

I realize that this should probably go in the Chaparral forum, but I wanted to get some traffic into the thread. Does anyone have one? I have a Chap dealer within 6 miles. I've read things about draft. Do they draft deep? I'd like to hear some real world opinions from some folks that might have one.

I'm coming from a 42 year old outboard that I have maintained myself for years. I'm a diy guy and a little worried that a new jet boat will have me at the dealer more than I care for. With that, if a new jet boat absolutely needs to go to the dealer for maintenance and service intervals, such as some of the new outboards, I'm not sure I'll go the new boat route.

I'm comfortable working on any mechanical systems, but dang, there seems to be a ton of computer controlled systems in these new boats, all of which worries me a little.

This will be primarily fresh water use with 4 weeks a year (2 weeks at a a time) in the intracoastal and nearshore off of ponce inlet.

Thanks folks -Mark
Monongahela, PA

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Welcome aboard Mark!

Most newer motors require proprietary computers to diagnose and reset codes. Yamaha's are particularly easy to maintain and do not require dealer support as much as a Rotax motor.

Check your area for a yamaha dealer as I have heard western Pennsylvania lacks a dealer and you may end up taking it to Cleveland for service.

Edit###
My bad.... You are looking into chaps! I would stay in yamaha country.

 

[McMark]

I like the yamahas and I've had quite a few yamaha products over the years. The closest yamaha dealer to me is in Maryland I believe. Cleveland is about 3 hours away. The Chap dealer is something like 8 minutes away is why I'm considering it. A yamaha would be my first choice if I can find one close.

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[TN888]

If your interested....the new Feb 2015 Boaters magazine put the 243 Chap on the front cover & done a write up w/specs, handling, ect, after testing.

 

[thcole]

I live in Pittsburgh and have had my 2005 Yamaha for 3 years and have not been to a dealer. I think there is one in deep creek, and one in raystown if ever needed. Are you going to the boat show to crawl around them?

 

[McMark]

I just checked. Deep creek does have a dealer. That's about an hour and a half for me, which is no problem.

Yes. I'm going to the show. Was going this weekend but the mrs hurt her back earlier in the week and wasn't up to it. I'll be there this coming Saturday earlier in the day. Will there be yamahas there?

 

[thcole]

There had been the past few years. I plan on going to take a look at the 2015's.

 

[McMark]

Sounds good. I didn't realize that there would be yamahas at the pittsburgh show. Thanks!

 

[GTBRMC]

@McMark, welcome aboard!

I crawled all over the Chap jets they had at the Milwaukee boat show last night. They look to be solid, well-built boats.

I would expect they draft slightly more than same sized Yamaha or (discontinued a couple years back) SeaDoo, based only on eyeball of the Chap hull lines. However, the actual draft difference among Chap and Yamaha would be insignificant vs. outboard, I/O, or inboard boats in the same size range...any of the major jet boats will have much better draft than any of the conventionally powered sport boats of similar size.

I took a bunch of pix of a couple of Chap jets and posted in this thread covering the MKE boat show: https://jetboaters.net/threads/milwaukee-boat-show.4384/
The Chaps were very attractive...I would consider them, but I, personally, prefer the Yamaha drive vs the Rotax.

 

[McMark]

The pics look great. Honestly, I'll probably go Yamaha. The rotax worries me a little.

 

[MikeyL]

Hey @McMark ............ Glad you have joined us.
Regardless of what we say, please know we are all so glad you have made this decision to come join us.
And we really do not care what brand of boat you decide to choose, or none at all if nothing works out in your favor.
Hopefully we can be of assistance regardless of which manufacturer has an offering in the jet boat arena you like.

If you are looking at the high(er) end Chaparral, please do check out a thread I started yesterday, comparing the 2 flagships of both Chaparral and Yamaha.
I attempted to make it ACCURATE, and so far have put approx 10 hours into it. Yet that certainly doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.
Possibly it can be of assistance to you.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2015-comparison-yamaha-242-ltd-s-versus-chaparral-243-vortex-vrx.4382/

In the meantime, do post ans ask away and we'll always try and make constructive hints and/or thoughts.

Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

And, oh yeah, @McMark ! ..............

 

[Murf'n'surf]

@MikeyL Thanks for your comparison data, it's well done and truly needed for new buyers to the jet market. If you have some free time, please post links to your thread on all Chapparel videos on YouTube and the Chapparel facebook page.

 

[McMark]

That was a great writeup. Thanks for the link and it addressed all my concerns. I'm certainly steered towards Yamaha no matter how close the chap dealer is. Thanks guys! -Mark

 

[Gym]

Welcome @McMark. If you post your location (city/state) you'll be placed on our member map. Many members offer evaluation rides to people looking for similar model boats. In any event your best investment in a jet boat begins here with education and experience.

 

[McMark]

Monongahela, PA 15063.

 

[McMark]

Is there a link to the member map? I'm on a phone so maybe it's not showing up in mobile. Thanks -Mark

 

[Bruce]

The link to the map should be just to the right of the forums link at the top of the page if your phone is horizontal. If your phone is vertical it will be inside the three bars that are too the right of the forums link.

Here is a direct link https://jetboaters.net/usermap/

If you add your city and state to your profile it will be added to the map.

 

[Julian]

Put your location in your profile here to show up on the member map:

https://jetboaters.net/account/personal-details

 

[McMark]

Ok. I'm on the map

 

[Scottintexas]

glad to have you on board,