Full Review: Chaparral 203 Vortex Jet Boat..

[10-8]

Seems a little under powered.. 0-30 in 7.7sec?

http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=3167

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Having only 1 motor will do that.

 

[BoaterGuy]

Did you notice the best range is @6 mph? (200 miles @ 1GPH or 6 MPG) That is weird!

Also only has a 35 gal tank...

 

[BAC.94]

According to Chaparral's website, the 22' boats are due out in June and the 24' boats in July. The one thing I really like about the Chaparral's is the ability to ugrade certain options from the factory.

http://www.chaparralboats.com/2014/chaparral/Chaparral-Boats.php?country=226

 

[Murf'n'surf]

2 motors in the 24'?

 

[TechRider]

Yes the 24' will have 2 engines with 500HP. Here is a preview from their website.

 

[Glassman]

Hmmm, Pricing range is $32,995.00 to $40,000.00 for the 203 and the only two options are a tower and a cockpit cover?

Pricey tower.

And the 80's just called. They want their green back.

 

[BoaterGuy]

Yeah these other companies are definitely going for the "sport" feel of the boats. I got my 242 for the "luxury" feel. I didnt want a "sporty" boat this time. This Chap and the Glastron and Scarab are all competing for the same space. Yamaha has 3 segments in which it competes, and I think that is a good differentiation that they make in their branding.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You are showing age Glass! That green is back!!

 

[Glassman]

You are showing age Glass! That green is back!!

Ha, ha, you're right...I remember when boats were brown. Then after we had the first Thanksgiving....



Yeah, well it didn't look good then and now it just hurts my eyes!

 

[DieselCamel]

I like the green...

 

[Magic]

Its a jetboat.. I like it! Looks strangely familiar though...hmmmm

 

[Lawson2479]

Hmmm, Pricing range is $32,995.00 to $40,000.00 for the 203 and the only two options are a tower and a cockpit cover?

Pricey tower.

And the 80's just called. They want their green back.

I had a friend that had a AMC Gremlin that color. I think his parents got it for him so he wouldn't get a date.

 

[TechRider]

The green reminds me of an Arctic Cat every time I see it. Same color pattern on their ATV's and Side by Sides.

 

[Magic]

Now I remember where I saw this green before! Was trying to repress my childhood, again.....

 

[davel501]

I think they will be nice boats. Not disruptive the market, but nice boats. Now if someone came up with a jet cruiser that could redirect the jet thrust for use as bow thrusters and still take advantage of all that extra space...

I think the best part of all this will be the sales folks that tried to scare people away from jets now trying to push people into them. One sales guy told me I would never be able to get more than $10k for a used jet boat even if it was only a year old because nobody wanted them.

 

[dbrunone]

"The 203 Vortex VRX continues that tradition with a hull that delivers a smooth comfortable ride with control and stability."

Not something you'd typically see in a Yamaha review...just sayin...

 

[SCSTWG]

I am a big Chaparral fan and I expect the fit and finish of these boats to be superior to the Yamaha. That said, I think that this being their first attempt at jetboats will most likely lead to some unexpected issues. I also think there are still questions about the SeaDoo power plants. The lack of clean-out ports removes the boat as an option for me. I love seeing the competition and hope it makes all of the boats better.

 

[10-8]

I am a big Chaparral fan and I expect the fit and finish of these boats to be superior to the Yamaha. That said, I think that this being their first attempt at jetboats will most likely lead to some unexpected issues. I also think there are still questions about the SeaDoo power plants. The lack of clean-out ports removes the boat as an option for me. I love seeing the competition and hope it makes all of the boats better.

That's pretty much my thoughts as well. I've always like the Chaparral brand and my boat before my SX was a 24' Chaparral Sunesta deck boat. I haven't seen another jet boat with the above the water clean out ports. Has there been any or is this something Yamaha has a patent on?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Here's my question/issue.......
We all know about how Sea-Doo motors can be troublesome with high priced parts/service and the never ending sensor issues. But, who is servicing these motors? Chaparral dealers? So these Chaparral outboard and I/O mechanics are going to take a couple 8 hour courses and become expert Sea-Doo power plant mechanics? I can't trust my local dedicated Sea-Doo mechanics to do a fair job!