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Chaparral 230 SunCoast (2016-)
1 x 200-hp Yamaha F200XB
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Brief Summary
Deckboats are among the most popular boats on the water because they offer so many advantages. They have the layout of a bowrider, the capacity of a pontoon and the handling of a mono-hull for exploring beyond the protected rivers and lakes. Most are easily towed behind even a modest SUV. They can easily be stored in the driveway or next to the garage. For onsite storage, they’ll fit in any rack room.
The 230 SunCoast is good for entertaining, cruising, watersports, lunches, coving, beaching, and any other entertaining that boaters wish to do.
Key Features
- Color-coordinated Sunbrella Bimini top with windscreen and logo boot in Black, Blue, or Red
- Enclosed head with lockable door
- Bow lounge cushions with storage underneath
- 14 quart built-in insulated cooler
- 25 quart carry-on cooler
- Port seat reversible oasis lounge (folds to provide aft facing seat)
- Premium sound system includes 4-speakers AM/FM/WB and Bluetooth stereo
- U-Shaped aft lounge seating with large storage compartment underneath
- Hanging rod storage
- Sea Star hydraulic tilt steering
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 7.9 | 6.8 | 496 | 431.4 | 63 |
1000 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 6 | 5.2 | 378 | 328.7 | 65 |
1500 | 6.2 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 323 | 280.8 | 71 |
2000 | 7.3 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 224 | 195.1 | 75 |
2500 | 8.2 | 7.1 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 158 | 137.4 | 77 |
3000 | 18 | 15.6 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 246 | 213.8 | 82 |
3500 | 23.3 | 20.2 | 5.6 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 264 | 229.5 | 88 |
4000 | 28.1 | 24.4 | 7.5 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 236 | 205.3 | 90 |
4500 | 32.4 | 28.1 | 8.7 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 234 | 203.7 | 93 |
5000 | 35.5 | 30.9 | 10.6 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 212 | 184.3 | 91 |
5500 | 41.7 | 36.3 | 16.2 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 163 | 141.5 | 93 |
6000 | 44.7 | 38.8 | 17.7 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 159 | 138.6 | 93 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 22'10'' / 6.96 m |
---|---|
Beam |
8'6'' 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
3,500 lbs. 1,588 kg |
Tested Weight |
4,350 lbs. 1,973 kg |
Draft Up |
15'' 38 cm |
Draft Down |
32'' 81 cm |
Deadrise/Transom | 20-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance |
7' 10'' 2.39 m (max) |
Person Capacity | 12 |
Fuel Capacity |
70 gal. 265 L |
Water Capacity |
13.50 gal. 51 L |
Total Weight |
4,350 lbs. 1,973 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 3.7 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 8.3 sec. |
Ratio | N/A |
Props | 14.5x15 |
Load | 2 persons, full load, water, 1/3 water, 50 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 89 deg., 78 humid.; wind: 10-15 mph; seas: calm |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
1 x 200-hp Yamaha F200XB |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
1 x 200-hp Mercury Verado 200XL 4-stroke 25'' 1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado 250XL 25" Four Yamaha engines at 200-hp and 250-hp |
Captain's Report
Learn More
Watch Our Video
Overview
Deckboats are among the most popular boats on the water because they offer so many advantages. They have the layout of a bowrider, the capacity of a pontoon and the handling of a mono-hull for exploring beyond the protected rivers and lakes. Most are easily towed behind even a modest SUV. They can easily be stored in the driveway or next to the garage. For onsite storage, they’ll fit in any rack room. The 230 SunCoast is good for entertaining, cruising, watersports, lunches, coving, beaching, and any other entertaining that boaters wish to do.
Extended V-Plane and Hydro-Lift
One feature that distinguishes Chaparral from the pack is the Extended V-Plane. The Extended V-Plane elongates the running surface well past the mounting point of the propulsion.
Features Inspection
With any deckboat, the focus is on being able to accommodate the many guests an owner will have. This boat is rated for up to 12 people.
Bow
When it comes to seating, the bow has the layout of a typical bowrider: two lounge seats to either side flank a forward cushion. An optional bow table ($294) fixed to a side-mount pedestal base adds even more utility to the area, making it a comfortable dining space for al fresco lunches or sunset cocktails. The wraparound bolsters allow the seats to be used in the typical lounge fashion or with occupants facing each other. Drink holders are nestled into the bulwarks, so they aren’t pressing into the lower backs of the occupants. Naturally, a filler cushion will turn the entire area into a sun pad.
As expected, there is storage underneath the side seats, but Chaparral fixes the cushions to articulating hinges. This makes it easier to access the storage with one hand, and we’re also impressed with how much of the available space is considered usable. Chaparral does this by narrowing the perimeters of the compartments, and this, in turn, allows for larger items to be placed into those compartments. Fully forward is a built-in, self-draining cooler.
An anchor locker
is located at the forepeak, and Chaparral combined anchor storage with a reboarding ladder. The hatch is accessed by a lift-and-lock latch, and we would like to see the hinging allow the hatch to lie flat against the bow deck. This would take pressure off of the hinges and create one less warranty item, years down the road. That said, Chaparral does use heavy-duty stainless steel hinges all around. The beach-reboarding ladder is a four-step that easily deploys. Underneath, the anchor is secured by an anchor keeper system to both sides. Just ahead, the navigation light rotates to a flush position, so neither the anchor rode nor the reboarding ladder are affected by its location. Notches to both sides of the hull are molded in to accommodate the ladder in the deployed position. LED docking lights are located to both sides of the bow.
Cockpit
We transition to the cockpit by way of the usual walkthrough windshield. This, of course, can be closed off for operating on those chilly mornings. With the walkthrough closed off, a storage door is exposed, which leads into the helm console.
Seating wraps around the cockpit
from the port console to the helm seat. A flip seatback to the port side allows the observer seat to convert from forward facing to aft facing. Storage is under all of the seats, and there is one table with two mounts in the bow and cockpit ($294). There is plenty of storage in the deck, and two overboard deck drains allow easy washdowns at the end of the day. All upholstery is two-tone with extra padding, providing comfort underneath the legs. Wraparound bolsters serve both as padded armrests and comfortable seatbacks. Additional storage is underneath the seats. The helm seat can be swiveled around to further add to the amount of seating available in the cockpit. A 25-quart (23.7 L) carry-on cooler is located underneath the port seat.
More Upscale Features
While a cursory glance at the bow shows plenty of stainless steel, the cockpit seems to have it everywhere. It is seen in all hardware, seat fixtures, the table pedestal, and in the hinges and latch of the deck storage hatch. A custom tower can be added ($3,188) in either black or white powder coating. Some will also want to add the premium beach weave snap-in carpet ($744).
Head
The port console can be left as open storage, or some may choose to opt for the Porta-Potti ($273) or pump-out head ($419). As with any boat in this size range, this compartment is small for use as a head, but still manageable. Even with the head option, there is still available space for additional storage if day trip necessities, such as beach chairs, towels, tote bags, etc. The head can be dressed up to match the upscale nature of the rest of the boat. Add a cabinet and sink upgrade ($619) and electric toilet ($1,094 with cabinet and sink), or both with an overboard discharge ($1,919).
Helm
The helm has darker tones, which not only offset the glare factor, but provides a welcome contrast to the white interior of the 230 SunCoast. Two recesses to either side of the panel will accommodate either the Yamaha Command Link engages or Mercury SmartCraft gauges, depending on the power chosen by the customer. In the center of the panel, a 7” (17.78 cm) Garmin multifunction display ($1,131) is surrounded by a faux wood panel. Rocker switches are to both sides of the lower panel, and all are easily identified by labeling and international icons. We would like to see the horn separated by a contrasting color. Below, two more faux wood panels provide a mounting point for the stereo control, ignition, additional switching, and 12V accessory plug.
The three-spoke wheel is vinyl-wrapped stainless steel with the trademark floating Chaparral logo in the center, which remains in an upright position regardless of the wheel’s orientation. The engine control mounts to a padded bulwark with an integral armrest on top.
Stern
While the 230 SunCoast has the Extended V-Plane running surface, the dual swim platforms extended even farther, all the way to the rear of the outboard. This provides even more space for utilizing the stern as a place to relax or as a staging area for putting on boards and climbing aboard the tube. We’d add the optional aft center seat and backrest ($156) or the transom gate ($163), one cannot have both. Of course, the pressure water system ($344) that adds a bow and stern shower is a must have. There are seat cushions to both port and starboard, further adding to the comfort level of this location. Underneath the seats, batteries are to one side and battery switches are to the other. We would like to see inserts placed under these cushions so that both locations can be further utilized as storage. A stereo remote is to the starboard side. Drink holders are just ahead and can be utilized by both the transom seats and the cockpit seats.
Pull-up cleats to both outboard sides of the swim platforms remove any concern as tripping hazards. Optional deck covering can be ordered in lieu of the standard nonskid decking. A second reboarding ladder is to starboard.
Form Meets Function
One of the most attractive features of this outboard powered boat’s stern area is the ability to walk around the entire front and sides of the outboard. All too often, the positioning of the outboard inhibits the ability to walk from one side to the other. Chaparral's solution makes it that much easier to perform daily checks on and service the engine.
Pricing and Power Choices
The 230 SunCoast has a base price of $49,995 when powered with the standard Yamaha 200 4-stroke. Chaparral offers the 230 SunCoast with outboard power from either Mercury or Yamaha, both with either 200- or 250-hp. The Yamaha 250 XCA is the most expensive, carrying a total package price of $57,805. A Mercury Verado 250 will package out at $56,359. Add custom paint for another $2,120. Fully loaded “our way,” she’ll approach $60k.
Additional Options
Hull colors are offered in White, Black, Blue, and Fire Red at no additional cost. A colored band will add $566 and four other hull tones can be had for another $1,094 upcharge. Like every good manufacturer, a pair of optional packages put together the most popular options into groups that are discounted from buying them a la carte. The Preferred Package ($745) includes a transom stereo remote, eight pull-up cleats, stainless steel speaker covers, bow scuff plate, galvanized anchor, and air pump. The Deluxe Package ($2,120) has all of the Preferred items, plus teak matting at the platform, bow filler cushion, leather upgrade steering wheel, teak swim platform and deluxe badging.
Observations
The Chaparral 230 SunCoast clearly has a lot going for her in terms of comfort, usability, and functionality. With the ability to hold 12 people and keep them happy in so many ways, this is a boat that has a large amount of appeal. In true Chaparral fashion, she has both a deep cockpit and bow seating further adding to her safety. And as she is fully infused with Chaparral’s hull-form DNA, there should be no disappointment with regards to her handling either.