Chaparral 327 SSX

"The R&D commitment is massive and nearing $30 million in the last three years," explains Australian Chaparral importer and distributor, Scott O’Hare. "Only a handful of hulls in the range are a few years old. Everything else is new. They’ve worked really hard in R&D to bring new product to the market."

The all-import return on investment is now being realised. According to the latest news to hand, Chaparral enjoys leading market share in the 18-37ft sportsboat category, we’re told, while also claiming the position of biggest sterndrive-powered boat manufacturer in the world.

"But the boats aren’t necessarily US-centric as they have huge international presence in places like Singapore, Hong Kong… and are number one boat brand in Spain. The factory gets a lot of feedback and creates a genuinely international boat," O’Hare adds.

Having said that, Chaparral has always positioned itself as a saltwater-boat builder on the American East Coast. The yard has massive presence in and around Florida. Places like Tampa Bay on the Gulf coast are just "Chaparral city," says O’Hare.

All this bodes well for what is another boast -- the 327 SSX tested here is, for now at least, the biggest production bowrider in the world and, says Chaparral, the only one with a full-beam cabin. With summer well and truly here, ours is a timely wind-in-your-hair test and one of the most exciting drives of the year on a rousing Gold Coast day.

Renowned for its finish, Chaparral uses all electro-polished stainless-steel deck fittings, 40oz as opposed to more common 26oz clip-in carpets, Scotchgard-protected interior fabrics, hand-stitched diamond-pattern upholstery with specially sculptured foam cushioning, premium sound systems, full fibreglass liners with overboard cockpit drainage system, custom stainless-framed windscreen, tinned wiring with watertight triple O-ring sealed connectors, and other superior fittings.

We noted the deck gear on the 327 SX is all big-boat gauge and certainly appreciated by the owner of a 60ft motoryacht that we towed to safety shortly after casting the lines on the Coomera Rivera. One wouldn’t be able to get the thick tow rope around other mainstream-boat brand’s undersized cleats.

We could go on, suffice to say, it’s patently obvious on paper and in the flesh -- or fibreglass as it were -- that the Chaparral is a premium product. Yet the pricing is really quite keen when you consider the inventory, consider the fit and finish, check the engineering, and get behind the wheel. As tested, the 327 SSX offered a boatload of pleasure boating for the package price of $255,000.

Besides the engine upgrade, our test boat has a Clarion Wetsound stereo upgrade with subwoofer powered by twin amps and eight speakers that add considerably to the twin V8 sports-boating experience. There were other options (see specs) with the major ones being hot water via a heat exchanger and a wetbar in lieu of the starboard cockpit seating.

The wetbar has a solid surface countertop, sink, pull-out sprayer, rubbish receptacle, stainless steel handrail and 12 volt power plug, plus handheld fire extinguisher. An optional stainless steel 12/240V fridge was built into the wetbar module, with a standard carry-on cooler provided and stowed under the co-pilot seat.

With an additional icebox in the bow, plus 13 drink holders on deck, you’re not going to be caught short of refreshments aboard the 327 SSX. Add the Biscayne blue hull colour and smart moulded hardtop and what you have is a sharp and snappy dayboat.

With a maximum passenger capacity of 16, you can share in the fun. With a cabin, you can stay over.

Being a bowrider, we began our tour in the pointy end. The first thing to note is the upgraded stainless-steel self-stow anchor and spotlight -- in addition to hull headlights -- to help find your mooring or crab pots after dark. Then there are the oversized pop-up cleats and must-have option of windlass with bow controls. A section of non-skid on the bow facilitates safe access to a wharf, although a bow ladder would be a nice option.

The bow seating area is graced with eight drink holders, traced by stainless-steel grab rails, padded bolsters and moulded armrests. The insulated icebox is under the foremost moulded seat bases, with under-seat lined storage areas and an underfloor area, too.

The well-supported portside bow seat is long enough to double as a sunbed/daybed. It also makes a great travel spot with legs outstretched, hand on the rail, views flashing past. Opposite is a moulded table with four drink holders around which you can do lunch. The forward-facing seat here is wide enough for two people to ride or dine side by side.

Add a cover and you could create a great little cubby for the kids in winter. A wind dam on the walkthrough adds further to your cockpit comfort on those days when the wind has some bite. The stainless-steel Tailored Marine windscreen is well-support by sturdy stainless-steel struts and big stainless-steel posts hold up the moulded hardtop with sunroof.

The boat has clears and camper covers to protect the cockpit even more and provide room for someone to potentially sleep outdoors. Blue LED cockpit and optional underwater lights add to the party effect at night, while a 1.98 cubic metre underfloor utility room has steps to access your water sports toys (optional air pump included), fishing gear, extra provisions, the boat’s lunch table and more.

Cockpit seating is extensive. Helm and co-pilot benches each seat two people, with the helm seat on slides, while the main L-shaped lounge is big enough for a half dozen around the casual moulded table that can be moved from the bow. An electric Powerslide converts the aft lounge at the transom into one big double sunpad.

The 327 SSX has three stereo remotes including one at the transom, where the deep swim platform has a nearby drinks cooler, storage hatch and the obligatory cockpit shower (optional hot water provided via heat exchanger). O’Hare says he can also offer an Aussie Fishing Pack with a stainless transom rail, rod holders and drop in cutting board. This way you can sit back on the aft seat and wet a line. The rail also works as a barbie mounting spot.

The upgraded snap-in carpets add to the comfort underfoot and looking around you can’t help but notice all the grabs rails in the right places. Their elliptical rather than round shape is said to be easier for small kids hands to grasp. This is indicative of the level of thinking at Chaparral.

Timber floors, direct and indirect lighting and high headroom add to the utility, while the L-shaped lounge in the full-beam cabin pulls out to create a full-sized double bed. The opening portlight option was chosen and is recommended for natural ventilation. A television is another option, while a cedar-lined hanging locker is provided for your Sunday best.

Meanwhile the bathroom has an upmarket Vacuflush head (57-litre holding tank) and handheld shower linked to the boat’s 95-litre pressure water system. So if you overindulge you can easily stay the night, in effect making the 327 SSX a great restaurant runner.

An electric lift engine-room lid grants access to the twin MerCruiser 8.2-litre MAG petrol engines, which have closed cooling, Multipoint fuel injection, Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), and high-output 65amp alternators. There’s good access around the big blocks and to reach the bilge, tidy wiring runs, labelled batteries (four in all), hot-water and black water systems. The labelled sea cocks are big-boat types.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel with polished spokes and power steering add to the driving pleasure, while the sight lines seated or standing are unfettered. The whole set-up makes for driving pleasure and with great handling the 327 SSX is a buzz to command.

But it is also the 22 degrees of deadrise that makes this a true-blue Yankee sports cruiser. Its deep-vee, wave-cleaving hull, called an Extended V-plane hull, never conveyed a shudder or thump and we blasted across the Broadwater and the abundant boat wake and wind waves on a blustery day. I’d have no hesitation heading offshore to your nearby port of call.

Into the teeth of a 20 knot wind and opposing tide, we noted a top speed of 48.8 knots and very comfortable cruise of 35-40 knots. This is really moving and brings destinations on the outer limit within range for doing lunch and day trips. Closer to 50 knots has been recorded on other tests.

But the performance comes at a price, namely 124-175 litres per hour at 3500rpm/36 knots to 4000rpm/41 knots cruise. This equates to a range of 150-120 nautical miles from the 568 litre fuel tank. That’s not huge, although you certainly go far in one hour! From one side of Port Phillip Bay to the next, quick as that, in fact.

But with offshore performance gained from a sharp hull and twin petrol engines we could have ranged up to Moreton Bay, from Sydney to Pittwater, across Port Phillip Bay to Portarlington, and out to Rottnest from Perth. Live it up, dine ashore or aboard, sleep over and beat the Sunday crowd back home.

If we are becoming more time poor, with less leisure time, and looking more for just-add-water quick boating fixes, then the 327 SSX is in the zone. It sure put a smile on our dial after a fun-filled few hours on the dazzling Gold Coast.