Chaparral H2O 19 Ski Fish

The H2O Series comprises Sport or Ski/Fish designations in either 18 or 19ft sizes with the Sport being a bit more basic in features and, as the name suggests, the Ski/Fish being pre-loaded with goodies that will appeal to either the keen fisherman or the family market -- or, more likely, a combination of the two.

It’s not the first time that a company has set up a boat as either a fishing machine or a family fun boat. But in this case Chaparral has done some pretty neat things to make this a real split-personality boat.

At first glance, the H2O Ski/Fish looks like any other good-quality U.S. bowrider. But dig a bit deeper and there are a few surprises. First of all, on the bow is the mounting plate for the standard-issue electric trolling motor. Yep, a standard trolling motor on a bowrider! But maybe we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves.

For the family or entertainer, there’s a sound system with USB/MP3 compatibility, comfortable seats all round with a big sun pad over the engine bay, heaps of storage and even a standard 12-volt air pump for inflating your water toys.

As with all Chaparral boats, the Ski/Fish comes pretty-well equipped but the company does offer a comprehensive list of optional extras, some of which were on our test boat.

The lounge leads to broad swim platform with a telescopic ladder for exiting the briny or impoundment. It's a small thing but I wasn't enamoured of the Hydro-turf swim platform mat stuck on the back, it looked cheap and wasn't well executed.

When in family or ski mode, the layout means comfortable accommodation for up to eight (the maximum load). However, it’s when the boat is changed into fish mode that things get interesting.

Lift up the base of the centre lounge, between the two aft seats, and there’s a fully-plumbed live-bait tank with aerator (pump switch is on the dash). When in either mode, this can also be used as a drinks cooler as it's also insulated.

In fishing mode, we’d take out the snap-in carpet. We’d also leave the bow cushions at home as well as the sunpad cushions. Under all these is Chaparral’s excellent diamond-pattern non-skid deck. With the cushions gone, the rear deck becomes a casting platform as do the front seats. But there’s more. 

Lift the individual aft seats out of their mounting brackets, fit them to the supplied pedestal mounts and you have comfortable fishing seats on the bow and stern of the boat.

With the carpet and cushions out, the boat can be easily cleaned and hosed out with the water escaping via the two scuppers in the rear of the cockpit. The cockpit itself also has a large central locker, the lid of which, sensibly, is fitted with a gas-strut arm for smooth operation.

More storage is found under the front seats and there’s a voluminous locker in the helm console which also gives access to the electrical systems.

Other clever features include the rod holders in the gunwale, rod storage in the coamings and plenty of moulded drink holders with stainless-steel inserts (self draining, of course).

The hull is Chaparral’s patented extended V plane design which, according to Chaparral, is: “Designed for minimal bow rise on acceleration, lower planing speeds and fuel economy.” The hull has increased freeboard for a drier ride and a moderate 18 degrees of deadrise.

As with all Chaparral boats, the fit and finish is extremely good. The boat feels solid and capable. It’s interesting to note that although Chaparral call this an ‘entry-level’ boat, the H2O series gets all the hull technology and quality fittings that the premium boats get.

Not even Australian Chaparral distributor Scott O’Hare had driven the boat when we put it in the water at Williamstown, Vic. The boat had come off the ship from the USA, been pre-delivered and we were on it. This certainly showed us the confidence that O’Hare has in the Chaparral product ex-factory.

The first thing to note about the Chaparral is that it’s comfortable. The helm seat is deep and supportive... and adjustable. The steering is adjustable too. The seat bolster can flip up so that you can gain height if you need to.  The controls all fall easily to hand and the cool analogue gauges are well placed and easy to see with the exception of the fuel gauge which I found a bit obstructed in its lower position.

The windscreen is relatively high so you look through it rather than over it (or directly at the top of the frame) as on many other boats of this ilk.

The 220hp Merc fired up easily (once we found the isolator in the locker under the starboard aft seat) and we were soon burbling out the channel into Port Phillip. Once we’d familiarised ourselves with  the controls and the rest of the boat, we gave the Ski/Fish her head.

Unfazed, I’d have to call it. The Chaparral did everything in an unfazed and effortless way. It eased up on to the plane without fuss, cruised through 2000 revs to a nice cruise speed of around 22 knots at 2500 rpm.

A fast cruise was achieved at 3000rpm showing around 29 knots. Then it was time to really let her go and at wide-open throttle we were travelling across the Bay at a bit over 45 knots indicated at 5000rpm. Bear in mind that this boat was ‘straight out of the box’ and the engine will, no doubt loosen up a bit with some more hours under its belt.

The 19 Ski/Fish has well-weighted power steering which made the boat a pleasure to command and the high freeboard kept most of the spray off the windscreen.

In the Melbourne autumn, I would have liked a door or even a washboard between the bowrider section and the helm and co-pilot to keep the wind at by at high speed but there is a tonneau cover for the forward section which would have the same effect.

Sound insulation is good. Although the MerCruiser does have a bit of a note, the engine noise is not obtrusive and we could hold a conversation at any speed.

However the biggest plus is how the boat can change chameleon-like from one variety of boat to another to suit the owner’s needs, with a minimum of fuss. One outing it’s a family cruiser or ski boat, the next weekend it’s stripped down to become a fishing boat that you don’t mind your mates dropping a few prawn heads on.

It’s certainly classy enough to take friends to lunch and tie up at a restaurant, yet it has its utilitarian side for a boys’ weekend away at your favourite lake or estuary.

According to Scott O’Hare this is an 'entry-level' boat. Well if that’s the kind of equipment you get at entry level, then he shouldn’t have too much trouble selling these to the Aussie boating public.