Chaparral Boats: Spacious Seating For Comfortable Cruising

Chaparral Boats, originally Fiberglass Fabricators, was founded in 1965 by William Buck Pegg and Reggie Rose in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The company currently manufactures pleasure, ski/sport, and fishing boats ranging from 18-foot sport boats to 33-foot yachts in a 1-million-plus square foot facility in Nashville, Georgia. Chaparral boats offer a range of seating options, with some models emphasizing open or roomy designs, while others highlight luxurious or spacious seating capacities.

Chaparral boat models with the most seats

Chaparral Boats, founded in 1965, offers a diverse range of vessels, from 19 to 34 feet in length, catering to various boating preferences. The company's model lines include the SSi, SSX, OSX, and Surf, each boasting distinct features and amenities. When it comes to Chaparral boat models with the most seats, the SSi and SSX series stand out for their spacious and versatile seating arrangements.

The SSi (Sport Sailing Series) line exemplifies value-packed versatility, with models ranging from 21 to 23 feet in length. While the SSi models offer a cost-effective option, they don't compromise on features and comfort. The 206 and 225 SSi models feature an L-shaped couch, while the 216, 226, and 246 SSi boats take seating a step further with their U-shaped cockpit seating, providing ample space for larger groups. This full-width cockpit seating is unique to the SSi line and showcases Chaparral's commitment to both functionality and comfort.

The SSX line, on the other hand, blends luxury with performance. With boats ranging from 24 to 34 feet, the SSX series offers something for everyone. While all Chaparral boats prioritise quality and comfort, the SSX line elevates the experience with exclusive features. The SSX models also offer versatile seating configurations, with some boasting U-shaped seating arrangements, providing a social and intimate setting for passengers to enjoy.

The OSX line, designed for entertainment, offers ample seating in the form of multi-person helm seats. The 280 OSX, for instance, features a rotating helm seat, allowing for a dynamic and spacious interior. With the ability to rotate the helm seat to the side, the boat transforms into an open and expansive cockpit, perfect for socialising and entertaining.

Lastly, the Surf line, a hybrid of the classic family bowrider and powerful wake sport options, offers wide-open spaces from bow to stern. While seating configurations may vary, the Surf models cater to those who enjoy spending time on the water with family and friends.

In summary, while specific seat counts for each model were not readily available, the SSi, SSX, OSX, and Surf lines from Chaparral Boats offer spacious and versatile seating arrangements, catering to various boating needs and preferences. These models, with their unique features and amenities, provide comfortable and enjoyable experiences on the water, ensuring passengers can cruise, entertain, or engage in water sports in style.

Chaparral Vortex jet boats

The Chaparral Vortex boats range in price from $25,075 to $89,333, with an average price of $47,900.

Chaparral's Wide Tech™ technology

Chaparral boats are known for their quality and design innovation. Their patented Wide Tech™ technology is a testament to this, offering increased space and functionality without compromising the boat's exterior dimensions.

The key principle behind Wide Tech™ is the clever utilisation of space. By narrowing the gunwales and hull sides, Chaparral designers create more interior room, particularly in the cockpit area. This design approach allows for wider seats, providing exceptional comfort for passengers. Additionally, the extra space beneath the seats can be used for storage, ensuring that your boat remains clutter-free and organised.

The benefits of Wide Tech™ are evident in the bow area, where the flared design creates a more spacious environment. This extra space translates to increased legroom and floor space, enhancing the overall comfort and ease of movement within the boat. The wider platform also makes disembarking safer and more convenient.

Chaparral's innovative use of space doesn't stop there. The 186 SSi Wide Tech™, for example, offers ample storage options, including under the bench-style seats, in the gunwales, beneath the sole, and on either side of the engine under the hatch. This abundance of storage space ensures that you can bring all the essential gear for a day on the water without feeling cramped.

Wide Tech™ isn't just about space optimisation; it's about creating a well-rounded boating experience. The technology strikes a perfect balance between passenger room and storage capacity, ensuring that you can invite friends and family aboard without sacrificing the convenience of having everything you need at hand. So, whether you're a first-time or experienced boat owner, Chaparral's Wide Tech™ offers the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality.

Chaparral boat replacement seats

If you're looking to replace the seats on your Chaparral boat, there are a few options available to you.

Firstly, it's worth noting that Chaparral boats typically offer original replacement seats for approximately 3 years after the boat model's release date. So, if your boat is less than 3 years old, you can contact a local dealer to inquire about Chaparral seat replacements. This option will likely be more costly, but it guarantees an exact match to your boat's original seats.

If your boat is older than 3 years or you're looking for a more affordable option, there are several online stores that offer a wide selection of high-quality boat seats that may fit your Chaparral boat. These stores provide various styles and colours at competitive prices, allowing you to find the perfect match for your vessel. Some of these stores include iBoats, Boat Outfitters, and Great Lakes Skipper.

When considering replacement seats, it's important to keep in mind that Chaparral primarily uses a custom "Chaparral White" colour for their boats, so finding an exact colour match for older models may be challenging. In such cases, a sample chain may be necessary to guarantee a colour match for replacement parts.

Additionally, some websites, like Boat Outfitters, offer custom services. They have worked with Chaparral for over 20 years, providing OEM component parts and prototyping over 1,200 unique Chaparral parts. So, if you're unable to find the specific replacement seat you're looking for, reaching out to such companies may be a viable option to explore.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that replacing boat seats may require additional hardware, such as pedestals and mounting equipment, which can also be found on the websites mentioned above.

Chaparral's history of manufacturing locations

Chaparral Boats, originally Fiberglass Fabricators, was founded in 1965 by William "Buck" Pegg and Reggie Rose in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The company's flagship boat at the time was a 15-foot tri-hull with a sticker price of $675. In 1967, a fire destroyed Chaparral's Ft. Lauderdale facility, but the company rebuilt. By 1976, Chaparral Boats had outgrown this facility and was looking to expand. Later that year, the company purchased the Larsen boat manufacturing facility in Nashville, Georgia, and relocated its headquarters there. Chaparral Boats was purchased by RPC Energy Services (NYSE:RES) of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1986. RPC spun off Marine Products Corporation (NYSE:MPX) in 2001, which included Chaparral Boats, Inc. and Robalo Boats, LLC.

Chaparral Boats has had three main manufacturing locations in its history:

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (1965-1976): This was the original production facility for Chaparral Boats, where they manufactured their flagship 15-foot tri-hull boats. Unfortunately, this facility was destroyed by a fire in 1967, but the company rebuilt and continued operations until outgrowing the space in 1976.
• Nashville, Georgia (1976-2003): Chaparral Boats relocated to Nashville, Georgia, in 1976 after purchasing the Larsen boat manufacturing facility. This move provided them with additional manufacturing space and access to a trained workforce. Chaparral Boats operated in this location for several years before being acquired by RPC Energy Services in 1986.
• Nashville, Georgia (2003-present): After being spun off from RPC Energy Services into Marine Products Corporation in 2001, Chaparral Boats continued to operate in Nashville, Georgia. Today, they manufacture a range of pleasure, ski/sport, and fishing boats in their 1-million square foot facility.

Frequently asked questions