Chaparral 310 Signature – La prova in mare

For the past few model years, Chaparral’s engineers have been developing their WideTech line of speedboats, capitalizing on forward space provided by proud chines married to a tri-point look at the bow. Already strong in the express cruiser lineup, Chaparral needed to fill just one gap in its lineup to complete its catalog of sporty and luxurious cruisers. Enter the 310 Signature, with that remarkable WideTech look. On test day, we had models on board for photography and a chopper overhead, and our windswept open water was about as friendly as the Rocky Mountains. These were not the conditions for forcing 35 mph photo runs, yet we did them, and our crew enjoyed a comfortable though athletic ride while it smiled for the camera. That revealed more than a chart of GPS numbers and fuel flow statistics could. The 310 is built to cruise comfortably, capably and with the guts to handle crummy waters. For operating convenience, the helm is equipped with smoothly operating digital throttle and shift and is complete with digital instruments that give fuel-flow information to help manage the boat’s efficient cruise speed of 2.6 mpg at 30 mph. Getting it cranked up is easy too, because Chaparral put the battery switches and distribution panel in the same place — conveniently located as you enter the cabin — meaning you don’t have to climb into the bilge or open a storage locker to “wake up the boat.” Convenience of ownership was further addressed by offering good access to the engines — I could easily reach around to the spark plugs and oil filters of both. Sea strainers are comfortably reachable, even for the optional genset. Accessing the engine compartment itself is eased by way of a power lift, a necessity on cruising boats that enjoy the benefits of lounge components and hatches molded into a single unit to optimize cockpit utility and maintenance access.

Download “Boating” sea trial HERE.