- Messages
- 2,729
- Reaction score
- 1,358
- Points
- 222
- Location
- Lake Oconee, GA (Greensboro)
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2016
- Boat Model
- 242 Limited S E-Series
- Boat Length
- 24
Since there appeared to be so much interest in this new 243 VORTEX VRX offering from Chaparral, and we could (thanks to new 2015 boat shows) finally get to visit and touchy-feely a VRX Vortex 243, we felt in might be interesting to do a side-side comparison of some of the more interesting differences between the 2 boats. And there are some EXTREME differences that at fist glance are not so obvious, and yet can and will be very important to a new boat owner. I did attempt to to be fair in finding differences. I let the reader decide how we did on this. Here goes:
1. VORTEX: The seating material, stitching and fit/finish is NOT "superior" to that of the Yamahas. Despite what the Chap. brochure and Chap. sales people claim.
2. The VORTEX engines, being super-charged:
A) Eat up a TON MORE space in the motor department, making service FAR more difficult and
B) Require a supercharger REBUILD every 200 hours (TIMES 2 engines !!!!!!) - NOT cheap whatsoever.
3. Chaparral did STUPID things like place the battery switch to where you cannot even get to it in the FAR recess of the motor compartment REAR side.
4. The dual batteries are DIFFICULT work on, as they are on OPPOSITE sides of the VRX ! I have no idea how much difficulty you would experience installing an on-board quality battery charger, like a dual-bank Minn-Kota, would make for an owner, but it AIN'T gonna be easy (on the VORTEX).
5. VORTEX’s lack the Yamaha’s dual throttle controls which is how knowledgeable Yamaha drivers conveniently and safely dock their boats, and more. Chaparral claims they don't require that. However, that is only because they are using the BRP supplied engine AND drive-train, and that's how BRP has always done it.
6. The captain's seat is "ok" but by no means as good as the new Yamaha seats. And the passenger seat basically SUCKS for quality. Look at it and you'll understand. See item # 14 below as well.
7. The "head" compartment is HUGE on the Chaparral, but it's WASTED space for most. I'll give them this: IF you wanted to use this for a porta-potty, or for changing, it IS a LOT larger than the Yamaha area. But it is our opinion, most owners do NOT use that area for those purposes.
And there is no "Drink compartment," like on the new 24 footer Yamahas. Yamaha provides you with a post-side “Entertainment Area” which includes COLD drink storage and serving - AND a lockable glove box !!! Yamaha also provides a wastebasket little holding space and netting.
Keep in mind the Yamaha Entertainment area is far easier to use, and a lot more convenient, than a bow-front cooler area, located underneath a seating area.
8. I have no idea about the noise factor, but no sales person told us how "good" it is on the Chaparrals. It was NOT even mentioned !
This <Noise Factors ...... or "Noise Reduction Improvements"> is unlike the new Yamaha 24 footers for 2015 !!!!
Every Yamaha dealer, sales person, and technical person @ the 2015 ATL boat show COMPLAINED (just kidding) about the new 2015 Yamaha sound reduction system !!!!!!!!!!!!!! - They said it is so GOOD in design and function that, now, you MUST turn down the radio to talk to others while @ wide-open throttle ! ROFL ! Seriously ... they said the new difference is far more than just INCREDIBLE !
9. Interestingly Chaparral states their 243 VRX is for 12 people – but Boattest.com also goes on to state (their words) it’s realistic only for 4 to 7 comfortably.
10. Vortex comes with either a 10-year or “Lifetime” limited hull warranty. I have seen BOTH warranty periods mentioned. HOWEVER: But when was the last time someone made a hull claim with Yamaha for a 232 or 242, which has a 5-year hull warranty ?
11. To get the top end speed they claim (54 MPH), you MUST have the OPTIONAL super-charged ROTAX power plants. SUPERHCARGED = Burns more gas and costs FAR MORE ($$$) maintenance ! And this is EXPENSIVE maintenance. And YOU aren’t gonna rebuild a super charger in an afternoon in your backyard. The superchargers MUST be rebuilt every 100 hours OR you are gonna have some even more expensive items to deal with.
12. VORTEX uses a closed-loop cooling system – PARTICULARLY important in Salt Water usage ! This is a wonderful design feature !@!!
13. Yamaha – The Only true NEUTRAL is engines OFF. SAME with Vortex’s !
14. Flip-up ARM RESTS on the Yamaha’s Captain’s chair – NONE on Vortex !!!! No Captain’s chair for the passenger whatsoever (Vortex) !!!!!!!! And both Yamaha Captain’s Chairs Swivel a complete 360 degrees, and recline !
15. VORTEX has built-in self-draining cooler area in the bow. Not available on the Yamaha. However, see item #7 above (Port-side Entertainment area) !
16. VORTEX holds 52 gallons of fuel onboard – Yamaha holds 50 gallons.
17. Ski Locker – Door is SUBSTANTIALLY larger on the Yamaha – and the compartment extends even further – Far greater “floor” storage on the Yamaha !
18. The Chaparral “Medallion 6.5 inch Display System” is an OPTION !!! The Yamaha comes STANDARD with the CONNEXT 7” System, which is FAR easier to use ! And Yamaha’s is far more intuitive to use !
19. Yamaha ALSO provides a Joystick Control for the CONNEXT 7” Control System. Yamaha also gives you additional push buttons both on the touch-screen display bottom , as well as on the joy-stick control. This makes this system a lot easier to use, and so intuitive it become a JOY to use. Not available on the Chaparral.
Keep 1 thing in mind: The CONNEXT joystick makes making changes to the CONNEXT a TON easier when you are navigating, steering and driving your jet boat. Chaparral forces you to use a touch screen. Far more difficult in real-world use ! Unless you are standing still !
And for Yamaha owners: You have to EXPERIENCE the CONNEXT system in person. It is so much easier to use than the former stupid little "buttons" located below the displays. And this yields benefits you never knew about. Such as being able to vary continuously the cockpit lighting (for dimming), or pushing a button and getting a COMPLETE Yamaha DIAGNOSTIC READOUT, including any fault codes = YDIS !!! This is the SAME read out that used to require you to have a laptop computer, software, and a special cable !
20. The Vortex dash area has a somewhat “cluttered dash” with many extra rocker SWITCHES, even with their 6.5” Medallion Display System. There are NO switches on the Yamaha - just the easy-to-use 7” CONNEXT touch-screen display and joystick system.
21. Vortex comes with a hanging rod in the port console (porta potty compartment). Yamaha – No hanging rod. This feature might be a deal breaker !
HOWEVER: Yamaha places a VERY convenient SHELF in their "port storage area".
And a paper towel holder rod and a toilet paper roll holder also built in. So maybe this is a "push" after all. (LOL !)
22. SOUND SYSTEM – Yamaha makes it VERY clear who makes the Sound System (Polk PA450UM) and who makes the speakers (Polk) and the specific model numbers ! Yamaha uses top-end Polk speakers ! NONE of that information is provided whatsoever anywhere from Chaparral ! The Chaparral head unti is a Polk, however - model # not known at this time. All Chapparal brags about is stainless steel speaker covers. It’s extremely difficult to hear better sounds emanating from a stainless steel speaker cover !
23. VORTEX charges STANDARD an $ 855 “Prep” fee !!!!!! Not a joke. Not removable ! You gotta pay it, and it is listed. Although while mandatory, they interestingly list it as an option. So much for being an “industry leader !”
24. Pricing for comparable boats: You are at $ 66379 for the VORTEX 243. The Yamaha lists @ $ 61499. Or as a stated earlier, a $ 4000 + DIFFERENCE (Increase) for the Chaparral ! (Specifically, an almost $ 4900 INCREASE for the VORTEX ! Close to 5 grand more ! It’ll be $ 5 grand more ( + $ 5000 !!!) when you take the overall increase in SALES TAX into consideration !!!!!!!!!!!!!).
25. I won’t even get nit-picky and talk about little things like using TOP QUALITY materials like Sea-Dek on the swim Platform on the Yamaha ! Or the use of teak-style carpeting !
26. Very nicely done PADDED ARCH TOWER on the VORTEX. Not available on the Yamaha.
27. Integrated “Anchor” light on the Yamaha Tower. Chaparral feels a Go-Pro camera mount is more important. LOL !@
NOTE: IF you have a Go-Pro Camera mounted on the Vortex, you CAN display the camera’s views on the Medallion display !
28. GAS MILEAGE (as computed by Boattest.com !):
@ TOP END: Vortex VRX = 36.9 GPH (7850 RPM).
Yamaha 242 = 23.0 GPH (7500 RPM).
BEST OVERALL MILEAGE: Vortex = 8.8 GPH (25.4 MPH and 5000 RPM).
Yamaha = 9.4 GPH (27.8 MPH & 5500 RPM).
29. Fresh-Water Shower: Standard on both boats.
30. I find this to be EXTREMELY interesting: Chaparral, 1 of the LEADING US pleasure boat manufacturers feels it is NECESSARY and important to their sales to list this item in their sales brochure and website: I cannot fathom how many additional VORTEX’s will be sold because they included this: “Molded-In Footrest - Port and Starboard”. Seriously. They had the audacity to list this. Sadly, Yamaha does not include this important feature.
31. Stainless Steel drink holders: 243 VORTEX = 12. Yamaha 242 = 14 !~
NOTE: Chaparral website lists 10 Drink holders. Brochure lists 12. I went conservative and showed 12 above.
32. CLEAN OUT PORTS VERSUS NOT HAVING THESE: Chaparral claims the design of the BRP system alone precludes the necessity of a clean out port (ports). While many former SeaDoo owners never suffered from sucking up ski ropes or debris, many others have. THUS: This feature, or lack thereof, DOES appear to be a deal breaker for many/most. Times will tell if this is correct, as we watch Chaparral and Scarab owners report on not having this important feature (Clean out ports) on their boats.
33. Bridge Clearance with the Tower:
Vortex = Bridge Clearance with Arch Tower : 7' 3"
Yamaha = Bridge Clearance with Arch Tower : 7' 9"
34. Swim platform storage: Yamaha conveniently locates dual compartments BEHIND the aft “back” cushions. Easy to get to and very convenient to use.
And Yamaha includes a 12V outlet back there.
VORTEX: Requires you to lift up the seat cushions. Not nearly as convenient to use !
35. IF you are a little unstable on your feet, or you have passengers who are so, the 243 VORTEX is far easier to safely enter, securely. The "passage" is wider and not as high as on the 242 Ltd S. This could be important depending on certain situations.
36. INTERESTING NOTE ABOUT PRICING: Until Sunday morning, January 18th, you could "build" your Chaparral boat, with PRICING, on their website. As of 1-18-2015, you MUST go through a dealer now !!!!!!!! All pricing data has been totally eliminated from their website !!!!! All they list now on their website is the "base price" for each Vortex model.
==================================================================
EDIT (Added 1-28-2015): Complete DETAILED test report from Boattest.com:
http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=3223
==================================================================
So, that's about it. I feel I may have missed a couple of items, but I tried to get all of the important and interesting ones.
Best Wishes for a wonderful 2015 Boating Season for all ! And GO YAMAHA ! (LOL !)
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA
1. VORTEX: The seating material, stitching and fit/finish is NOT "superior" to that of the Yamahas. Despite what the Chap. brochure and Chap. sales people claim.
2. The VORTEX engines, being super-charged:
A) Eat up a TON MORE space in the motor department, making service FAR more difficult and
B) Require a supercharger REBUILD every 200 hours (TIMES 2 engines !!!!!!) - NOT cheap whatsoever.
3. Chaparral did STUPID things like place the battery switch to where you cannot even get to it in the FAR recess of the motor compartment REAR side.
4. The dual batteries are DIFFICULT work on, as they are on OPPOSITE sides of the VRX ! I have no idea how much difficulty you would experience installing an on-board quality battery charger, like a dual-bank Minn-Kota, would make for an owner, but it AIN'T gonna be easy (on the VORTEX).
5. VORTEX’s lack the Yamaha’s dual throttle controls which is how knowledgeable Yamaha drivers conveniently and safely dock their boats, and more. Chaparral claims they don't require that. However, that is only because they are using the BRP supplied engine AND drive-train, and that's how BRP has always done it.
6. The captain's seat is "ok" but by no means as good as the new Yamaha seats. And the passenger seat basically SUCKS for quality. Look at it and you'll understand. See item # 14 below as well.
7. The "head" compartment is HUGE on the Chaparral, but it's WASTED space for most. I'll give them this: IF you wanted to use this for a porta-potty, or for changing, it IS a LOT larger than the Yamaha area. But it is our opinion, most owners do NOT use that area for those purposes.
And there is no "Drink compartment," like on the new 24 footer Yamahas. Yamaha provides you with a post-side “Entertainment Area” which includes COLD drink storage and serving - AND a lockable glove box !!! Yamaha also provides a wastebasket little holding space and netting.
Keep in mind the Yamaha Entertainment area is far easier to use, and a lot more convenient, than a bow-front cooler area, located underneath a seating area.
8. I have no idea about the noise factor, but no sales person told us how "good" it is on the Chaparrals. It was NOT even mentioned !
This <Noise Factors ...... or "Noise Reduction Improvements"> is unlike the new Yamaha 24 footers for 2015 !!!!
Every Yamaha dealer, sales person, and technical person @ the 2015 ATL boat show COMPLAINED (just kidding) about the new 2015 Yamaha sound reduction system !!!!!!!!!!!!!! - They said it is so GOOD in design and function that, now, you MUST turn down the radio to talk to others while @ wide-open throttle ! ROFL ! Seriously ... they said the new difference is far more than just INCREDIBLE !
9. Interestingly Chaparral states their 243 VRX is for 12 people – but Boattest.com also goes on to state (their words) it’s realistic only for 4 to 7 comfortably.
10. Vortex comes with either a 10-year or “Lifetime” limited hull warranty. I have seen BOTH warranty periods mentioned. HOWEVER: But when was the last time someone made a hull claim with Yamaha for a 232 or 242, which has a 5-year hull warranty ?
11. To get the top end speed they claim (54 MPH), you MUST have the OPTIONAL super-charged ROTAX power plants. SUPERHCARGED = Burns more gas and costs FAR MORE ($$$) maintenance ! And this is EXPENSIVE maintenance. And YOU aren’t gonna rebuild a super charger in an afternoon in your backyard. The superchargers MUST be rebuilt every 100 hours OR you are gonna have some even more expensive items to deal with.
12. VORTEX uses a closed-loop cooling system – PARTICULARLY important in Salt Water usage ! This is a wonderful design feature !@!!
13. Yamaha – The Only true NEUTRAL is engines OFF. SAME with Vortex’s !
14. Flip-up ARM RESTS on the Yamaha’s Captain’s chair – NONE on Vortex !!!! No Captain’s chair for the passenger whatsoever (Vortex) !!!!!!!! And both Yamaha Captain’s Chairs Swivel a complete 360 degrees, and recline !
15. VORTEX has built-in self-draining cooler area in the bow. Not available on the Yamaha. However, see item #7 above (Port-side Entertainment area) !
16. VORTEX holds 52 gallons of fuel onboard – Yamaha holds 50 gallons.
17. Ski Locker – Door is SUBSTANTIALLY larger on the Yamaha – and the compartment extends even further – Far greater “floor” storage on the Yamaha !
18. The Chaparral “Medallion 6.5 inch Display System” is an OPTION !!! The Yamaha comes STANDARD with the CONNEXT 7” System, which is FAR easier to use ! And Yamaha’s is far more intuitive to use !
19. Yamaha ALSO provides a Joystick Control for the CONNEXT 7” Control System. Yamaha also gives you additional push buttons both on the touch-screen display bottom , as well as on the joy-stick control. This makes this system a lot easier to use, and so intuitive it become a JOY to use. Not available on the Chaparral.
Keep 1 thing in mind: The CONNEXT joystick makes making changes to the CONNEXT a TON easier when you are navigating, steering and driving your jet boat. Chaparral forces you to use a touch screen. Far more difficult in real-world use ! Unless you are standing still !
And for Yamaha owners: You have to EXPERIENCE the CONNEXT system in person. It is so much easier to use than the former stupid little "buttons" located below the displays. And this yields benefits you never knew about. Such as being able to vary continuously the cockpit lighting (for dimming), or pushing a button and getting a COMPLETE Yamaha DIAGNOSTIC READOUT, including any fault codes = YDIS !!! This is the SAME read out that used to require you to have a laptop computer, software, and a special cable !
20. The Vortex dash area has a somewhat “cluttered dash” with many extra rocker SWITCHES, even with their 6.5” Medallion Display System. There are NO switches on the Yamaha - just the easy-to-use 7” CONNEXT touch-screen display and joystick system.
21. Vortex comes with a hanging rod in the port console (porta potty compartment). Yamaha – No hanging rod. This feature might be a deal breaker !
HOWEVER: Yamaha places a VERY convenient SHELF in their "port storage area".
And a paper towel holder rod and a toilet paper roll holder also built in. So maybe this is a "push" after all. (LOL !)
22. SOUND SYSTEM – Yamaha makes it VERY clear who makes the Sound System (Polk PA450UM) and who makes the speakers (Polk) and the specific model numbers ! Yamaha uses top-end Polk speakers ! NONE of that information is provided whatsoever anywhere from Chaparral ! The Chaparral head unti is a Polk, however - model # not known at this time. All Chapparal brags about is stainless steel speaker covers. It’s extremely difficult to hear better sounds emanating from a stainless steel speaker cover !
23. VORTEX charges STANDARD an $ 855 “Prep” fee !!!!!! Not a joke. Not removable ! You gotta pay it, and it is listed. Although while mandatory, they interestingly list it as an option. So much for being an “industry leader !”
24. Pricing for comparable boats: You are at $ 66379 for the VORTEX 243. The Yamaha lists @ $ 61499. Or as a stated earlier, a $ 4000 + DIFFERENCE (Increase) for the Chaparral ! (Specifically, an almost $ 4900 INCREASE for the VORTEX ! Close to 5 grand more ! It’ll be $ 5 grand more ( + $ 5000 !!!) when you take the overall increase in SALES TAX into consideration !!!!!!!!!!!!!).
25. I won’t even get nit-picky and talk about little things like using TOP QUALITY materials like Sea-Dek on the swim Platform on the Yamaha ! Or the use of teak-style carpeting !
26. Very nicely done PADDED ARCH TOWER on the VORTEX. Not available on the Yamaha.
27. Integrated “Anchor” light on the Yamaha Tower. Chaparral feels a Go-Pro camera mount is more important. LOL !@
NOTE: IF you have a Go-Pro Camera mounted on the Vortex, you CAN display the camera’s views on the Medallion display !
28. GAS MILEAGE (as computed by Boattest.com !):
@ TOP END: Vortex VRX = 36.9 GPH (7850 RPM).
Yamaha 242 = 23.0 GPH (7500 RPM).
BEST OVERALL MILEAGE: Vortex = 8.8 GPH (25.4 MPH and 5000 RPM).
Yamaha = 9.4 GPH (27.8 MPH & 5500 RPM).
29. Fresh-Water Shower: Standard on both boats.
30. I find this to be EXTREMELY interesting: Chaparral, 1 of the LEADING US pleasure boat manufacturers feels it is NECESSARY and important to their sales to list this item in their sales brochure and website: I cannot fathom how many additional VORTEX’s will be sold because they included this: “Molded-In Footrest - Port and Starboard”. Seriously. They had the audacity to list this. Sadly, Yamaha does not include this important feature.
31. Stainless Steel drink holders: 243 VORTEX = 12. Yamaha 242 = 14 !~
NOTE: Chaparral website lists 10 Drink holders. Brochure lists 12. I went conservative and showed 12 above.
32. CLEAN OUT PORTS VERSUS NOT HAVING THESE: Chaparral claims the design of the BRP system alone precludes the necessity of a clean out port (ports). While many former SeaDoo owners never suffered from sucking up ski ropes or debris, many others have. THUS: This feature, or lack thereof, DOES appear to be a deal breaker for many/most. Times will tell if this is correct, as we watch Chaparral and Scarab owners report on not having this important feature (Clean out ports) on their boats.
33. Bridge Clearance with the Tower:
Vortex = Bridge Clearance with Arch Tower : 7' 3"
Yamaha = Bridge Clearance with Arch Tower : 7' 9"
34. Swim platform storage: Yamaha conveniently locates dual compartments BEHIND the aft “back” cushions. Easy to get to and very convenient to use.
And Yamaha includes a 12V outlet back there.
VORTEX: Requires you to lift up the seat cushions. Not nearly as convenient to use !
35. IF you are a little unstable on your feet, or you have passengers who are so, the 243 VORTEX is far easier to safely enter, securely. The "passage" is wider and not as high as on the 242 Ltd S. This could be important depending on certain situations.
36. INTERESTING NOTE ABOUT PRICING: Until Sunday morning, January 18th, you could "build" your Chaparral boat, with PRICING, on their website. As of 1-18-2015, you MUST go through a dealer now !!!!!!!! All pricing data has been totally eliminated from their website !!!!! All they list now on their website is the "base price" for each Vortex model.
==================================================================
EDIT (Added 1-28-2015): Complete DETAILED test report from Boattest.com:
http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=3223
==================================================================
So, that's about it. I feel I may have missed a couple of items, but I tried to get all of the important and interesting ones.
Best Wishes for a wonderful 2015 Boating Season for all ! And GO YAMAHA ! (LOL !)
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA
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