Chaparral 224
Based on the numerous Boat of the Year awards, Chaparral rate themselves as offering the ‘Mercedes of boats’. With things like Kevlar and a vast knowledge in the build, Chaparral knows what it takes to produce a boat that has lasting luxury. The Editor, Dean Castle, pushes the limit in the 2013 Chaparral 224 Xtreme.
In the November edition we checked out Chaparral’s 226SSi. The 224, although marginally shorter in length, aims to provide more for those with wake riding in mind. This 224 sits in Chaparral’s Xtreme range which is their signature as a tow boat but offers a different level of spec and quality not available on other executive bowriders.
Deck layout
The 224 as reviewed has the Pro Xtreme spec level package which includes premium bucket seats with embroidery, Smart Tow, Perfect Pass (or Zero Off, depending on the engine package), a ski mirror which is windshield mounted, swivelling board racks on the wake tower, trim tabs, and a premium speaker upgrade with amplifier and subwoofer and two tower speakers.
What is it that makes this boat extreme? For starters, there’s the graphics, which, on the boat as reviewed, are called Icon Silver Splice. For the function part of the Xtreme, the 224 has got a forward-facing arch wake tower with a Sunbrella canopy and swivel racks. And when it comes to being on the water, this Xtreme has trim tabs, ballast and Perfect Pass, making it a true performance boat – but keep in mind that the 224 is a stern drive…