Spotlight: 2019 Chaparral 300 OSX
Chaparral says it has created a new class of watercraft with the 300 OSX; the Outboard Sport Luxury day boatThe Chaparral 300 OSX, the US leisure brand’s all-new “Outboard Sport Luxury” crossover, is now on sale in Australia.
Chaparral Australia announced this week it had opened the order book for the 9.3-metre day boat, with prices kicking off from “around $300,000” for locally delivered hulls.
The centre console Chaparral 300 OSX was launched by the Florida-based company at the 2019 Miami International Boat Show. It has set itself apart from its competitors by incorporating what it tags a “Vista View lounge”, a chaise longue-style daybed that switches between forward and aft positions at the push of a button, and a rotating oversized helm seat that tucks into the starboard deck wall to open up the cockpit’s entertainment space.
Fitted out as a day boat with a below-deck cabin with a forward berth, the Chaparral 300 OSX includes a big bow space with seats and a daybed, armrests, integrated speakers for the six-speaker audio system, and cupholders. Down the back there’s a freshwater transom shower and a telescoping boarding ladder with a handle.
The electrically operated enclosed head includes a pair of opening portlights with screens, with teak flooring.
However, it’s also a comfortable open water craft, featuring a 22-degree deadrise and a Kevlar-reinforced hull laminate.
Loaded with new ideas
Chaparral Australia managing director Scott O’Hare recently tagged along on a test ride of the 300 OSX, fitted with a pair of Yamaha 300hp four-stroke outboard engines.
“‘Everywhere you look, this boat is loaded with new ideas,” O’Hare said.
“The hardtop with sunroof can also accommodate an optional SureShade extension, and the ultra-modern dash is sublime, boasting two big screens and prestige car-like switching, while storage abounds throughout.
“There is even an area set aside for storing dive tanks,” he said.
O’Hare said the most impressive thing for him was the Chaparral 300 OSX’s performance on the test.
“We had 13 people on board running twin 300s, and it still got up on the plane at 12 knots,” he said. O’Hare said the boat was then pushed up to 42 knots “with still more on tap”.
“This was in about a one-metre swell,” he said. “I knew I was witnessing something special then.”
Specifications
Model: Chaparral 300 OSX
Length: 9.3m (with swim platform)
Beam: 2.89m
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Draft: 0.56m (engines up); 0.86m (engines down)
Bridge clearance: 2.59m
Engines: 700hp (max)
Weight: 4037kg (with engines)
Water capacity: 95L
Holding tank: 25L
Passengers: US Yacht Certified
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