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Steve: Hi, Captain Steve from BoatTEST.com,
and today I'm on an all new boat from Chaparral the 277 SSX.
Now, the SSX series has been around for a while,
but with this new model, the 277 SSX,
it takes the DNA into a whole
new direction of look and feel.
Let's take a look ourselves, as I do a full features
inspection and sea trial.
The new look is self evident
when you look at the sides.
There's new styling and detail,
a lower profile, and the arch has been completely redone.
As we board from the swim platform,
I notice it comes out 33 inches.
It's got a nonskid surface all across.
Notice the integrated grab rail
with the tow hook,
six inch pull up cleats to both sides
and additional cleats are up the sides,
along with the beautiful stylized detail.
Now obviously, we've got the seating across the stern,
but this is convertible and we've seen different versions
of convertible seating before,
but this seems to be the best that I've seen in class.
We've got the out-facing seating for the platform,
the forward-facing seating for the cockpit,
and to convert it,
all we do is grab the handle and pull.
And now we have a chaise lounge,
four feet, four inches,
by four feet, two inches.
Plus, notice how we still have a little jump seat,
right along side,
so we can sit and have a conversation
with whomever might be on the sun pad.
Of course, in the starboard corner,
we have the requisite four step reboarding ladder,
and I do like how Chaparral has kept their characteristic
stereo remote with Transom trim switch.
To the starboard side is the entryway to the cockpit,
and notice how there's a door, acrylic,
can be closed off,
drops into the lock position,
and when it's open,
it falls flush against the bow works
and still leaves us 15 inches of room to walk through.
In the closed position,
it exposes a door leading to the main electrical panel
that includes the battery switch and jump start lugs.
Now, as we enter the cockpit,
well, look at this,
seating everywhere, almost all the way around
and it starts with L-shaped seating to the port and stern.
There's a side mount base for a pedestal table,
so we can turn this into an al fresco dining area,
or certainly, a cocktail area.
Opposing seating just across.
And notice how the two bucket seats
can swivel around to join the crowd.
And of course, we're already seeing the Chaparral quality
with regards to fit and finish.
Take a look at this upholstery.
Custom embroidery,
tri-tone materials,
diamond stitching,
and different densities of foam throughout the seat.
Plus, we've got storage under this seat,
with a 36 quart cooler,
and under this one,
probably the deepest storage we've seen in class.
The bow works to both sides,
have the speakers, stainless steel drink holder,
and the grab rails.
And I like how they're all recessed
so that they're not cutting into the back
of whomever might be sitting in the seat.
Moving forward,
the bucket seats, both identical,
the captain and the passenger share the same seat.
It's got a flip up bolster,
wrap around sides,
different densities of foam and it's open
in the back for great ventilation.
And I love how on all Chaparral boats,
they have the patented adjustments up front, not underneath,
where they're going to cut into your leg,
or they're hard to find.
Plus, when you're standing in a position like this,
it's easy to move it
however you'd like.
Now, it's not unusual to have storage
in between the two seats in the deck,
however, this one is a bit unusual in that
the hatch is held open by gas assist struts,
It's extraordinarily deep, plus,
there's storage within storage.
Now let's take a look at the observer side.
There's a grab handle and a recessed armrest,
stainless steel drink holder,
lockable glove storage,
storage space just above the door.
And inside the door,
which has a double latch,
look at this head compartment.
It features a solid surface counter
with a stainless steel sink,
includes a pull out sprayer,
there's an opening port light
for natural light and ventilation,
a porta potty is standard,
we can upgrade to this electric flush toilet with pump out.
Above all, is this electrically actuated arch tower
that collapses at the push of a button.
All of the components are inside the base,
which transfers easily from one Chaparral to the next.
So it's easy to fabricate the tower
so that it fits the base.
There's a wrap-around windshield with a stainless steel cap.
And naturally, there's a walk through portion that opens up,
and it locks with a double latch that's interconnected.
Down below, there's an air den that can be closed off,
that works in conjunction with the walkthrough windshield
to make it nice on the cool mornings.
But more importantly,
when this is in the closed position
there's a storage drawer and storage underneath that,
leading into the console.
Exceedingly, comfortable bow seating,
nice and deep,
the seat backs are curved,
flip-up armrest,
and there's another mount for the pedestal table
so we can transfer it from the cockpit to the bow.
There's storage under all the seats,
including a self-draining built-in cooler fully forward,
and notice the cushions,
like all the cushions on the boat,
these are hinged.
-: The helm has an all glass dash consisting of a pair
of standard seven inch Simrad evo2 displays,
and notice how they're angled slightly,
to face the operator.
Push-button controls surrounding the bottom of the panel
are lighted when activated,
and are grouped logically.
The steering wheel is mounted to a tilt base,
and check out how the floating logo
in the middle always points up,
even when the wheel is turned.
To the right, a Polk audio stereo
is just ahead of the engine control.
And Chaparral insured that the accessory and MP3 plugs
are right next to a beverage, slash phone holder.
-: Fully forward, there's a hatch with non-skid,
a lift and lock latch,
brings it open and notice that it's held
in the open position by tension hinges, underneath.
A Lewmar Windlass with a chain and rope rode
leading to a through the stem ankle roller.
And here we've got a stainless steel plow anchor.
There's a cleat on the side for securing the rode.
Just ahead, the nav light rotates into place.
The Windlass controls are to the side.
Plus, there are additional controls at the helm.
And we have two, six inch pull up cleats,
one to each side.
Fuel fills on both sides,
so it doesn't matter which side we have the pump on.
Plus, we can open one and ventilate the tank
while we fill from the other.
The engine is in it's usual place,
underneath the aft seat,
lifts easily by pulling up on the handle.
Here we've got a 6.2 350 horsepower Merc cruiser engine.
Roomy installation, plenty of access to both sides.
Steering pump over to the starboard side.
To the port side, the house and start batteries,
plus, the 15 gallon water tank.
The Chaparral 277 SSX, has a length overall of 27 feet,
beam of eight feet, six inches,
and a draft of 35 inches.
With an empty weight of 5,500 pounds,
37% fuel and two people on board,
we had an estimated test weight of 6,100 pounds.
With a 350 horsepower Merc 6.2 liter engine
turning a bravo three outdrive with 26 pitch prop sets,
we reached our top speed at 50.8 miles per hour at 5415 RPM.
Best cruise came in at 3500 RPM and 29.9 miles per hour.
At that speed, the 9.2 gallon power fuel burn translated
into 3.2 miles per gallon and a range of 233 miles,
all while still holding back a 10% reserve
of the boats 80 gallon total fuel capacity.
We reached planing speed in an average 3.6 seconds,
accelerated to 20 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds,
and continued through 30 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds.
As for handling, just like the rest of the brand,
this boat handles, exceptionally well.
In fact, it takes a practiced hand to hold it back
because it does everything so gracefully,
no matter how heavy handed or aggressive you get.
Performance turns it up with just a gentle roll
and just enough slide to grab the water
while not causing everyone and everything
to be thrown to one side.
Spray is kept to the sides,
made tanning our dry ride.
If we keep the turn on,
there's virtually no chine walk
and even with the trim of the outdrive maintained,
we experience no ventilating of the props.
It's just flat out,
an all around, great handling boat.
Great looks, comfort, innovations,
and the handling characteristics
that we've come to expect from the brand,
all seem to come together in the new Chaparral 277 SSX.
And that's my full features inspection
and performance evaluation.
From BoatTest.com, I'm Captain Steve.
We'll see you on the water.