Boating — December 2018

(Brent) #1

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VIDEO


SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.34 5.00 1.10 3.95 4.55 142 164 0 67
1500 5.91 6.80 1.70 3.48 4.00 125 144 2 69
2000 7.30 8.40 2.50 2.92 3.36 105 121 4 73
2500 9.56 11.00 3.90 2.45 2.82 88 102 7 77
3000 15.64 18.00 4.90 3.19 3.67 115 132 5 79
3500 20.77 23.90 5.70 3.64 4.19 131 151 4 86
4000 25.03 28.80 7.80 3.21 3.69 116 133 3 86
4500 28.07 32.30 9.50 2.95 3.40 106 122 2 89
5000 31.80 36.60 14.10 2.26 2.60 81 93 2 90
5500 35.54 40.90 15.70 2.26 2.61 81 94 2 91
5700 37.71 43.40 18.90 2.00 2.30 72 83 2 93
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

High Points
XFinished cockpit liner and large
deck drains simplify washdowns.
XOpen stowage below aft bench
offers easy access to the 36-quart
Igloo cooler.
XUnderseat stowage is fi nished on
the interior with vinyl, avoiding the
potential for soggy carpet. Raised
perimeter edges and drains
channel away water.

Specs
· LOA: 21'0" · BEAM: 8.4" · DRY
WEIGHT: 3,300 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 12/1,600 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 40 gal.

How We Tested
ENGINE: 240 hp Volvo Penta
V6-240-CE/FWD
DRIVE/PROP: Forward Drive/K3 propset
GEAR RATIO: 2.25:1
FUEL LOAD: 30 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 350 lb.
Price
$44,995 (nationally
advertised price with trailer
and base engine)

CHAPARRAL


21 H2O Surf


chairs are found at the helm and port con-
sole, with storage access below the former.
Aft, a bench-style seat and sun pad com-
plete the accommodations. Raise either
side of the 6-foot-2-inch-by-3-foot-2-inch
sun pad to reveal a convenient transom
walkover. The spacious swim platform
features nonslip matting, as well as a
covered ladder to starboard.
Our test boat was equipped with the
240 hp version of Volvo Penta’s Forward
Drive, a package that was enough to push
the hull onto plane in 3.9 seconds, top
30 mph in just 2 seconds more, and peak at
43.4 mph. The hull proved exceptional at
speed, handling even the most aggressive
hard-over turns with no loss of bite at the
prop and always-predictable manners.

Chaparral possesses a presence in the
wakesurf market, thanks in part to Volvo
Penta’s Forward Drive, a special stern-
drive with the prop in front rather than
behind the gear case. But while that drive
makes wakesurfi ng possible, tucking
the propeller safely under
the hull, it’s the craft’s Surf
Gate that actually produces
the wake. Licensed from
inboard-powered watersports
boat manufacturer Malibu,
this pair of vertical tabs tuck
into the port and starboard
corners of the transom when
not in use. When called upon
to create a wave, the appro-
priate tab pivots outward
to disrupt the convergence
point of water fl owing down
the hull sides. This places the
appropriate corner of the hull
lower in the water, building

the wave to surfable stature without shift-
ing ballast. We found the sweet spot close
to t he s w i m plat for m a nd, once i n posit ion,
enjoyed surfi ng the endless wave, stop-
ping only to allow fellow crew a turn. The
standard Medallion touchscreen makes
controlling surf profi les easy.
Distinctly, the 21 H20 Surf boasts an up-
graded dash and tri-color vinyl. Its layout is
classic bowrider, with a forward compart-
ment featuring wraparound U-shaped
seating and forward-facing backrests
creating comfortable chaise-style lounges.
Stowage is found below the primary cush-
ions; a bow anchor locker includes clips for
a Danforth-style anchor and drains over-
board. In the main cockpit, twin captain’s

PHOTOS: BILL DOSTER

CHAPARRAL BOATS
Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; chaparralboats.com

To watch our
video review of
the 21 H20 Surf,
scan this tag or
visit boatingmag
.com/bbg18/
chaparral21
h20surf.


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