APRIL 2004www.goboatingamerica.com

>THE CHAPARRAL 256 SSiPUTS A PREMIUM ON COMFORT

SMOOTHAS THEY COMESMOOTHAS THEY COME

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Test boat provided by Sun Country Marine, Phoenix.

W e’re not exactly sure what a kit or a caboodle is, but we’llgo with the antiquated parlance of yesteryear and con-firm that Chaparral has thrown both into its 256 SSi.

The 26-foot, 5-inch boat is the poster child for the bowrider thathas everything.

The 256 SSi’s monochromatic interior is easy on the eyes, andyou can rest assured that the boat’s tasteful upholstery andgraphics won’t look dated in just a few years. The boat has a time-less look to it that is sure to increase its resale value.

One of the growing trends in top-of-the-line bowriders is a tel-escopic ladder that is built into the bow, allowing swimmers in ahurry to board the boat from the front. The 256 SSi’s ladder stows

neatly out of the way and gives you complete walk-throughaccess from bow to stern, so you’ll never have to put a soaking-wet foot on the boat’s plush upholstery.

A rounded V-shaped settee takes up most of the bow, and a setof cupholders is built into each side of the settee, so passengersreclining at the bow can enjoy a libation while the boat is underway. An optional pedestal table serves the settee, making it a greatplace to sit around and play a game of cards on a lazy summerday.

The 256 SSi’s walk-through windshield is nicely sloped, aidingboth visibility and the overall look of the craft. The piece is solidlybuilt, like the rest of the boat.

Chaparral has ingeniously managed to have its cake and eat it,

PERFORMANCETESTED>>

By John Gerra

www.goboatingamerica.com

THE CHAPARRAL 256 SSi PUTS A PREMIUM ON COMFORT

too, with the design of the boat’s passengerconsole. Whereas most consoles of thistype have either a built-in glove box or ahead compartment, the 256 SSi’s consolehas both. The door to the head compart-ment has the glove box built into it, so theentire unit folds out, allowing for access tothe head inside.

A screened opening portlight and aportable head are both standard, and apumpout is available as an option. Even ifyou don’t want a head, this compartmentstill makes a great place for stowing greatgobs of gear.

Chaparral has striven to give the 256SSi’s helm console a big-boat feel that’sreminiscent of a cruiser. The dash featuresan optional mahogany wheel, a molded-inarmrest and clearly identified accessoryrocker switches. Chaparral has also giventhe helm a new look via its innovative four-in-one gauges, which are packed with thevaluable information a skipper needs.

Swiveling bucket seats serve the helmand passenger consoles. The seats are verycomfortable and feature flip-up bolsters.

A small refreshment center with abuilt-in cooler, a sink and storage is abaftthe captain’s seat, and a J-shaped setteeruns from the stern side of the refreshmentcenter to the stern of the cockpit, along the

inside and finishes abaft the passengerbucket seat. A pair of cupholders is builtinto each side of the settee, similar to whatwas done at the bow.

The 256 SSi has a convertible sunlounge abaft the J-shaped settee. Thecushions at the center of the lounge (aswell as the one on the settee) can beremoved, creating walk-through accesswhen desired. Moreover, the lounge’s sidecushions are hinged and flip up to reveal apair of sizable transom storage lockers.

An integrated swim platform is locatedat the very back of the boat. Chaparral hasgiven the platform a built-in telescopicboarding ladder, and the company hasmade sure the platform is big enough forwakeboards and kneeboards.

There are all sorts of great options onthe boat, including bow filler cushions, abow table, a compass, a custom anchor,pull-up cleats and a through-hull exhaust.All of the boat’s hatches have a recesseddrainage channel that prevents water fromdraining into compartments, and all of thedrink holders have bottom drain tubesthat drain into the bilge.

ONE HOT RIDEOur test of the 256 SSi

took place on Lake Pleasant, a little outside of Phoenix,Arizona. The water was very flat on the day of our ride, and we had two adultsand half of a tank of fuel onboard.

With a 6.2L MerCruiserstern drive powering it, the boat was quick out of the hole and very respon-sive. The ride was spec-tacularly smooth at low

speeds, and the noise level in the cockpitremained less than 90 dB when the enginewas running below 2,500 rpm.

At top speed, which was 49.6 mph onour tester, the sound level was just over 100dB, which is good and the 6.2 liter enginewas more than up to the task of providinggood acceleration. Tight turns are verydoable at higher speeds, thanks to theboat’s sharp 22.5-degree deadrise, but wedid notice some cavitation when comingout of turns.

The boat jumps to plane in 7 secondsand sprints from 0 to 30 mph in 9 seconds.Both numbers are about what we’d expectof a boat this weight with this power pack-age. The boat’s approximately 4,950pounds provide a very solid ride.

>> WHAT IT IS: A pleasingly plush bowrider thatputs comfort first.

>> WHAT IT ISN’T:A luxury lightweight that onlyoffers the basics.

ACCESS IS KEY — The center section of the aftsunpad is removable, creating a walk-throughtransom and making it possible to get to thedual stowage compartments hidden beneath.

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Our 6.2L MerCruiser had the Bravo 3drive and a prop with a 26-inch pitch. Weliked the 6.2L with the 256 SSi, but if youreally want to kick the power up a notch,the boat is available with an engine aspowerful as 425 hp. If we had our druthers,though, we’d stick with the 6.2L, for its rel-atively better fuel economy and lower

cost.If we had to describe the ride aboard

the 256 SSi in one word, it would be“smooth,” so if you take nothing else awayfrom this test drive, let that be it. The boatwas solid at all times, and there was nevera hint of shuddering.

Other highlights on the 256 SSi that wehaven’t even touched on yet are its verysolid construction, fine fit and finish,high-end hardware and quick-releaseBimini top. In addition, the boat hasbreakers in its circuits instead of fuses, andthe easily accessible contacts are connect-

ed to the battery for easy jumps.Perhaps the SSi in the 256’s name

stands for “So, So indulgent,” because theboat offers about as much as one couldever hope to find on a bowrider. Boaterslooking for a decadent runabout that putscomfort above all else will find a kindredspirit in the Chaparral 256 SSi — and withpower options available up to 425 hp, theboat is definitely no wimp. GO

n Chaparral Boats Inc.; (229) 686-7481;www.chaparralboats.com. Circle 7 on readerservice card, page 105

BUILDER:S

Chaparral Boats Inc., P.O. Drawer928, 300 Industrial Park Blvd.,Nashville, GA 31639; (229) 686-7481; www.chaparralboats.comSPECIF ICATIONS: S

LENGTH 26 ft., 5 in.BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.DRAFT (down) 3 ft.WEIGHT (APPROX.) 4,950 lbs.FUEL CAPACITY 80 gals.MAXIMUM POWER 425 hpBASE PRICE $59,850

ENGINE PACK AGES AVAIL ABLE :S

(test engine in italics)

MerCruiser350 MAG MPI Bravo 3/300 hpMX 6.2L MPI Bravo 3/320 hp496 MAG Bravo 3/375 hp496 MAG HO Bravo 3/425 hp

Volvo Penta 5.7 Gi MPI DuoProp/280 hp5.7 OSi DuoProp/280 hp

5.7 GXi DuoProp/320 hp5.7 OSXi DuoProp/320 hp8.1 Gi DuoProp/375 hp8.1 GXi DuoProp/420 hp

> Visit goboatingamerica.com for a com-plete list of engine specs and packages.

STAND ARD FE ATURES:S

Portable head, color-coordinatedcanvas top, fiberglass cockpit liner,aft filler cushion, woodgrain dash-board, galley (w/sink, faucet, icechest, storage and pressurizedfresh water), self-bailing cockpit,table w/filler cushion, Bimini topw/windscreen and boot.OP TIONAL FE ATURES: l

Macerator, pumpout porcelainhead w/holding tank, bow table,snap-in carpet, compass, bow fillercushion, tilt steering, mahoganysteering wheel, through-hullexhaust, depth indicatorw/through-hull transducer, tran-som stereo remote.

>>TESTED: CHAPARRAL 256 SSi

SPEEDS AS TESTED

AT OPTIMUMCRUISING SPEED

3,300 RPM

5,150 RPMAT TOP SPEED

AT OPTIMUMCRUISING SPEED

27.6 MPH

49.6 MPHAT TOP SPEED

AT OPTIMUM CRUISING SPEED

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,5004,000

4,500

5,150 (WOT)

14 21 28 35 42 49 7

GET ’EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT— A mahoganysteering wheel is available as an option; therefreshment center includes a built-in cooler, asink and storage; a telescopic boarding ladderis built into the bow; and a removable cooleris hidden underneath one of the aft settee’scushions.

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