Part family bowrider, part performance-minded sport boat, part overnight cruiser, the new 327 SSX from Chaparral has a deep-V hull, standard fiberglass hardtop, and a huge full-beam cabin. Designed for boaters moving down from big, expensive express cruisers, and up from small, limited bow riders, the Chaparral 327 SSX is the one of the most functional an versatile new boats to come along in years.

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The Chaparral 327 SSX won the National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA) Innovation Award for boats in its class last year when it was a prototype.

Captain’s Report by Dan Armitage

Mission

The 327 SSX was designed to meet the needs of two classes of boaters: At one end, the model is made to appeal to owners of smaller bowriders who want to move up to a bigger boat with the features of a bowrider offering overnight capabilities. On the other end, the 327 is built to accommodate cruiser owners who want to move down to a more open boat for more practical day use that still retains the option for overnighting.

Distinguishing Features

There are so many distinguishing features on this boat if we made a list we would surely miss a number. To our knowledge there has never been a boat designed like this before, so it is a major breakthough in design and functional thinking. So rather than make a list as we often do, we are presenting a number of photos of the boat and you can simply point them out for yourself.

We call her a "super sportboat." We'll see if she spawns a new breed.



The new Chaparral’s most distinguishing feature is found below….



...where the boat’s patent-pending design permits a beam-wide cabin big enough to offer a full-sized, Ultra-leather couch...



...that converts into a full size, six-foot-plus, double-wide berth.



The cabin includes a galley with entertainment center with an optional 26” flat screen TV that is viewable from the convertible couch. The door at the right leads to the head.



The boat’s deep, beam-wide design retains enough space below to provide a fiberglass head with vanity and shower in addition to the full-sized sleeping quarters.



A control panel for the stereo, optional air conditioner and other accessories, as well as a separate cedar-lined hanging locker, are found at the aft end of the cabin. Note the solid oak steps leading from the companionway.



These overhead illustrations show the cockpit options offered aboard the 327 SSX as well as the standard cabin layout.

Bow



Chaparral offers a galvanized anchor and davit standard with the 327 SSX, and a remote spotlight, stainless steel anchor and power windlass as options.



The forward passenger area seats four comfortably. Note the integrated headrest supports behind each angled seat and the portable table that can be used where pictured up front or back in the cockpit.



The bow layout is anything but typical aboard the new Chaparral bowrider.

The bow passenger area offers a double seat to starboard and a lounge to port, with molded-in storage compartment below each. Note the integrated arm rest for the lounge position and the extra padding at lumbar level in both forward-facing seats. A gas-assisted lift hatch in the sole hides a handy locker with a draining scupper in the lip separates from the drain on deck, both of which direct water overboard. The outside seat cushions forward cover a large insulated cooler; the center pad can be removed to offer a skid-resistant step to the bow to access dock or anchor lines.

Helm



The wide, custom-molded dash reflects the same Liquid Silver finish and aluminum accent panels that are found throughout the Chaparral.

The helm of the 327 SSX is complemented by a well-appointed dash with components, gauges and controls in easy view and reach of the double-wide, bolstered seat. Note the angled, binnacle-mount throttle and shifter controls to starboard and the flush-mount, high-speed compass accommodated atop the double-top stitched, leather-look vinyl dash cover.



A fiberglass hardtop with LED overhead lighting covers the cockpit, over a pair of forward-facing double-wide seats behind a tall, stainless steel, wrap-around windshield.

Seating



The standard seating package includes a corner seat behind the helm, facing the L-shaped seating to port and aft.



An optional wet bar is offered in lieu of the starboard seat, with a solid surface countertop, sink with pull-out sprayer, trash receptacle, 54-quart cooler with dedicated storage, fire extinguisher and a 12 volt accessory receptacle. A refrigerator is optional.



The portable, side-mount table can be used in the bow area or the cockpit to convert them into dining areas. When used in the cockpit as shown, there is still enough room to starboard to move between the transom and helm.



A huge storage compartment is accessed through a large hatch in the cockpit sole. Note the self-draining entry, gas-assisted support and protective mat lining the locker.



The cockpit’s aft bench seat folds down and forward to form a large, double-wide sun lounge. The convertible seating platform lifts to reveal the engine compartment.

Transom



A light-weight, self-locking aluminum transom gate leads to the swim platform.



Storage compartments flank the aft-facing bench seat overlooking the swim platform.



A telescoping, four-step ladder (a three-step model pictured on the prototype above) is now standard equipment and allows swimmers to access the large, integrated swim platform more easily.



The swim platform spans the width of the boat’s ten-foot beam to offer plenty of room for gearing-up for water sports.



Engine options available with the 327 SSX range from twin 350-hp 5.7 liter sterndrives to twin 430-hp 8.2 liter big blocks. Chaparral tells us that the standard 327 SSX equipped with twin Mercury 5.7L 350 Mag DTS (Catalyst) B3 300-hp engines will hit a top speed of about 50 mph, a package with a price tag of $209,932



The Chaparral’s high freeboard and deep Extended V-Plane, Kevlar-reinforced hull combine to offer comfortable cruising in conditions much rougher than this.



The colors, graphics and accents offered on the 327 SSX are understated and complement the boat’s shape and design.

Premium Details and Equipment

In case you didn't know it, Chaparral set its sights some time ago on being one of America's three or four premier builders of sportboats -- but one with a difference. Chaparral plans to do it without asking for your first born children. The 327 SSX is a good a case in point. Take a look at the standard build details and equipment below and I think you'll begin to get the idea--

*Hand-stitched diamond pattern upholstery

*Wood flooring and hardwood steps

*Enclosed fiberglass head with shower and shower curtain

*Vacuflush China Bowl head with holding tank and level indicator

*Cockpit drainage system with self-bailing fiberglass liner

*Double helm seat & double companion seat (only boat is size range to do this)

*Electrically-actuated engine room hatch

*Pressure water system

*Three stereo remotes -- helm, bow, transom

*Table with two side mount bases

*Leather-wrapped steering wheel

*Two-speed windshield wiper

*Two automatic bilge pumps

*Fiberglass hardtop with LED overhead lighting.

*Automatic/manual fire extinguishing system

*Jump start system

*Kevlar reinforced hull laminate

*LED lighting in engine room and in sole storage compartment

*Trim tabs with indicator lights

*Choice of four hull colors other than white.

This list is far from the complete list of quality build items and equipment, but they are items that caught our eye as being unusual on the standard list of most boat builders, including some items which are options on some of the highest-priced boats built in the U.S.

Observations

I think Chaparral was on target when they identified dual niches in the boat market and nailed those needs with the 327 SSX. The big bowrider has appeal to boaters moving up or down. I think the out-of-the-box cabin layout is genius and the balance of the boat’s design is equally creative and well built. The deep-V hull will allow the boat to tackle some rough stuff with power options that are generous.

If you have found yourself looking and searching for a boat to fit all of your needs in the 30-something range and haven't yet found it, I suggest you take a look at the Chaparral 327 SSX. She may suprise you.

This boat has not been tested.