New Chaparral wakesurf boats with Malibu's Surf Gate system

Chaparral is ramping up its presence in the booming wake-surf market with five new purpose-designed 22-27 footers incorporating Malibu’s proven Surf Gate technology coupled with Volvo Penta's Forward Drive.

Rather than reinvent the wheel or wave, Chaparral has obtained a licence to use Malibu’s proven Surf Gate technology, which is designed to create a steep wake down low, while using Volvo Penta's Forward Drive for a traditional flat ski wake at faster speeds as well as hot handling.

Chaparral handpicked five boats from its existing model line up to optimise for wake surfing. The boatbuilder accounted for weight distribution, hull shape and deck layouts and then redesigned the running surfaces to develop a bigger, cleaner wave with Malibu’s Surf Gate system.

ADOPTING THE MALIBU SYSTEM
"We realised that our energy was best directed towards making the changes to our hulls, rather than potentially upsetting existing patents on surf tab designs," explains Mike Fafard, head of R&D at Chaparral.

"The last piece of the puzzle was to research which system worked best and it quickly became obvious that the Malibu Surf Gate system offered the best surf wave, ensuring surfing enthusiasts [get] large, clean, smooth surf waves on either side of the boat," he said.

Malibu Boats CEO Jack Springer said; "Chaparral conducted itself honourably by requesting a license to our technology and we are excited and proud to license our innovations to them. Chaparral is a premium brand and market share leader with a 52-year history of building boats with exceptional quality.

"With this licence, Chaparral can offer a surfing experience into market segments not directly served by Malibu or its Axis Wake Research brand. This licence will help introduce even more people to the fun of wakesurfing, and to Chaparral’s version of Malibu’s wakesurfing technology, which produces the most amazing waves for that sport," said Springer.

WAKE SURFING AND BEYOND
Chaparral says the key difference with its new surf-boat range is that its traditionally efficient hulls still come into play once the boat goes beyond surf speed. The new hulls are said to pull themselves deeper into the water in the surf zone, but then emerge into efficient performers at waterskiing and cruising speeds.

The new surf boats incorporate Volvo Penta's fuel-efficient Forward Drive, which offers great handling and easy adjustment of the wave length and height via normal trim.

Chaparral adds that Forward Drive can operate in shallower water than traditional shaftdrive tow boats, and that its boats are all designed for saltwater with lasting construction and materials.

Chaparral also offers its patented Aerial Surf Platform that creates a surfable wave behind its Vortex jet-powered boats.

BLUETOOTH WAKE ADJUSTMENT
Other features of its new surf boats are ballast, lower swim platforms, and the Viper 2 surf computer from Medallion which, with the optional Bluetooth wrist band, allows the surfer to change the wave from traditional to goofy, alter the boat speed, and pump up the tunes while surfing out the back. 

Chaparral Australia is now taking orders for pre-Christmas delivery and expects that there will strong interest from buyers who want to embrace wake surfing in a rig designed for broader pleasure boating applications in the salt as well as inland.

More information at http://www.chaparralboats.com.