Chaparral Aerial Surf Platform Review (Chaparral)
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Captain's Report
Mission
One of Chaparral’s clear missions here with the 21 H2O OB Sport was to take the popular features and design of the 21’6” (6.55 m) 21 H2O and give it the advantages brought by an outboard motor. This opens up the 21 H2O OB Sport for freshwater and saltwater excursions, making what is already a family-focused bowrider even more versatile.
There is a growing trend to outboard power in sportboats and the 21 H2O OB Sport capitalizes on that. The outboard engine is lighter which gives the boat potentially better performance. It certainly opens up storage space because the engine box is eliminated, and because there are fewer fuel line connections inside the boat, it is inherently safer.
Major Features
- Transom Sun Pad. Spanning the full width of the transom, the aft sun pad can lift and prop up backrests, lift up entirely to access storage and walk-through, or flatten out completely, providing an excellent lounging space when the boat is not underway.
- H2O Wiring. Equipped with easy-access circuit breakers, the loom wrapped wiring features water tight triple O-ring sealed connectors help ensure electrical integrity.
- Hydro Lift Extended Running Surface. The 287 SSX’s hull design utilizes an extended running surface, which allows the “v-plane” to continue aft of the transom. This improves performance in a number of ways.
- Port/ Starboard Console Storage. The port and starboard consoles at the helm provides space for storage with hatches on the inner side of each, in the walkthrough to the bow.
Features Inspection
Bow
In the bow we find a dedicated anchor locker, something that all boats should have but which -- sadly -- are being eliminated on many entry level sportboats. The stainless steel grab rails don’t wrap around the section entirely, and are instead short, but are thoughtfully placed to port and starboard. Stereo speakers are just below the grab rails, with cup holders just near the backrests as well.
The seat cushions lift up to reveal storage bins on the port and starboard sides, with the forward panel remaining a flat surface. We’d like to see as hatch here to add storage.
A design aspect we like in the bow is the relatively wide center section forward with back rest bolster. This creates a comfortable seating spot for one person. Also, the foot well is wide enough to handle feet and knees from both sides of the cockpit.
Helm
All seats are upholstered in stain Resistant vinyl with Nano-technology. The two helm bucket seats have flip-up bolsters and forward/ aft adjustments. The seats do not have armrests, although each has an arm rest added to the gunwales. The port side companion’s seat also has a small nook in the gunwale that has a cup holder and can be a resting place for a phone or other device. Forward is a lockable glove box, and a stainless steel grab rail.
Helm Details. To starboard is the helm, and the captain’s seat is identical to the companion’s, just situated a bit more forward. The helm design is new, and features a custom hand-stitched brow. The digital gauges have aluminum faces accented with stainless steel bezels. The gauges are fog-resistant and built to last, with a noted effort to provide gauges that are visible and legible in nearly every lighting condition.
Cockpit
Abaft the helm seats is the cockpit seating. The seating is full-beam, with the middle section resembling a loveseat and two seats flanking to port and starboard with no armrests, making it essentially all one seating section for three or four people.
Stern/ Swim Platform
The transom sun pad, is a versatile design that can flatten out for laying in the sun, prop up on either side for a backrest, and can lift completely to reveal both storage and the transom walk-through, both on the port and starboard sides.
The sun pad consists of a largely stationary middle panel with “wings” on either side. The wings lift and prop up via the lids on the storage hatches below, creating something more like a chaise lounge with backrest. They can then be folded into the center panel if access to the swim platform is underway.
The swim platform is clearly designed for safe maneuvering around the outboard motor. The platforms both port and starboard are large enough to launch swimmers and tow-sport enthusiasts. A three-step reboarding ladder is to port under a deck hatch.
Note that the 21 H2O OB Sport has the option to add an arch tower, which can provide a ski tow line point, board racks, and other watersports amenities.
Trailer
The 21 H2O OB Sport comes standard with a black powder coated tandem axle trailer with brakes, folding tongue jack, trailer side guides, swing away tongue, winch stand, 14” wheels, and submersible LED lights.
Power
The 21 H2O OB Sport offers the following options for its outboard engine:
- Mercury Four Stroke 150XL 150HP 25" Mechancal
- Mercury Four Stroke EXLPT EFI 115 HP 25" Mechanical
- Mercury Four Stroke Verado 200XL 200 HP 25"
- Yamaha Four Stroke F115XB 115HP 25" Mechanical
- Yamaha Four Stroke F150XB 150HP 25" Mechanical
- Yamaha Four Stroke F200XB 200HP 25" Mechanical
- Yamaha Four Stroke F200XCA 200HP 25" Digital
Performance
The Chaparral 21 H20 OB Sport we tested had an LOA of 21’6” (6.55 m), a beam of 8’4” (2.54 m) and a tested weight of 3,424 lbs. (1,556 kg), 85% fuel aboard, and our two-person test crew. She was powered by a single 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard. Seas were calm and the temperature was 74 F.
Top speed was 48.4 mph at 6000 rpm.
Best cruise was found at 3500 rpm where the boat went 24.4 mph, burned 5 gph, getting 4.9 gph (18.9 lph) and had a range of 175 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. The boat has a 40 gallon (151.4 L) fuel capacity.
Time to plane was 3.0 seconds, and she hit 20 mph in 6.0 seconds and 30 mph in 7.7 seconds.
Options to Consider
- Folding Velocity arch tower – White/Black
- Bimini top with Boot and Aluminum Frame
- Cockpit and Bow Cover
- Cockpit Interior Color Scheme – Black/ Blue/ Electric Blue/ Fire Red/ Lime Green
- Sea Star Hydraulic Tilt Steering
- Ultra-Comfort Pedestal Seat – Helm/ Companion
- Snap-in Cockpit Carpet
- Bow Filler Cushion
- Premium Sound System Upgrade
- Docking Lights
- Trailer Upgrade – Aluminum with Brakes
- Top speed for the Chaparral 21 H2O OB Sport (2017-) is 48.4 mph (77.9 kph), burning 16.4 gallons per hour (gph) or 62.07 liters per hour (lph).
- Best cruise for the Chaparral 21 H2O OB Sport (2017-) is 24.4 mph (39.3 kph), and the boat gets 4.9 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.08 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 175 miles (281.64 kilometers).
- Tested power is 1 x 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke.
Price
The Chaparral 21 H2O OB Sport starts at $37,095 for the base boat.
Warranty
The Chaparral 21 H2O OB Sport comes with a 100% Lifetime Perma Panel Marine Coring warranty standard, with the option of a five year premier level limited component warranty.
Observations
The 21 H2O OB Sport is a well-crafted vessel like all in the Chaparral fleet. The design touches make for a comfortable, fun boat without putting a thumb on the scale with standard extras that few in this market need or want to pay for.
The 21 H2O OB Sport is a competitively priced bowrider; but because of her Chaparral DNA, she has a lot of little design touches that set her apart from most other entry-level sportsboats on the market. We are talking about things such as the anchor locker, rounded windshields, inset light on the transom, curve in the cockpit bench seat, and signature “engine” exhaust ports on the port and starboard stern quarters.
All of these details, and more, make this entry-level boat one that even veteran boaters can be proud of.
Test Result Highlights
Standard and Optional Features
Marine Electronics
| Fishfinder | Optional |
|---|
Systems
| CD Stereo | Standard |
|---|---|
| Power Steering | Standard |
| Shore Power | Standard |
Exterior Features
| Carpet: Cockpit | Optional |
|---|---|
| Outlet: 12-Volt Acc | Standard |
| Swim Platform | Standard |
| Tower: Watersports | Optional |
Canvas
| Bimini Top | Optional |
|---|---|
| Cockpit Cover | Optional |
Warranty
Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!
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