If you are in the market for a large bowrider, you would be hard pressed to find a boat that can match up with Chaparral’s 307 SSX.  The 307 SSX is the largest model in Chaparral’s next generation of SSX models (excluding the 347 SSX), all of which feature similar styling and features.  These models include the 247 SSX, 267 SSX, 287 SSX & 307 SSX.  The 307 SSX has led the marine industry in sales for its size category for several years now, so let’s take a look at what makes this boat a homerun for Chaparral.

Chaparral 307 SSX Exterior Hull Design

When Chaparral released the 307 SSX, they knew they had to improve in several areas over previous designs.  Two of the features customers were asking for were a deeper hull design with high freeboard and more interior space.  Chaparral checked those boxes, and then some.  Regarding the physical size of the 307, this is a big, deep boat.  The 307 is a boat made for big water but is still easily trailerable for use on smaller lakes as well.  The bow on the 307 sits high to give its passengers a very secure feeling in rough water.  Competitors’ models in this size range tend to have sloping bow designs which are more prone to taking waves over the front.  This also leads to low backrests for its passengers.  Obviously neither of these are favorable in rough conditions.

The Chaparral 307 SSX hull has a 22-degree deadrise.  Deadrise is the angle of the hull under the boat.  The higher this number is, the sharper edge you get (or deeper V).  This is what determines the boat’s ability to cut through chop.  A boat that has a lower deadrise tends to slap across the top of the water, where a sharp deadrise cuts through the water.  This is the highest deadrise we are aware of in the category.  A few competitors don’t even publish their deadrise, which typically means this isn’t a specification they are proud of.  This may be due to the manufacturer deciding to use the same hull for surf packages as well, rather than redesign the hull for a surf model which is much more costly.  This is fine for surfing, but not necessarily ideal for a great ride.

The exterior styling of the 307 SSX features aggressive lines with a sharp sheer line in the rear.  Not only does this look great but removing all the rounded corners allowed Chaparral to add much more open space to the interior of the boat.  This also tends to give the boat a much more modern look.  Many of the boats on the market that still feature very rounded corners and hull shape are old hull designs that have not been updated in quite some time.

Chaparral 307 SSX Swim Platform

One of the show-stopping features on the Chaparral 307 SSX can be found on the swim platform.  This feature is known as the Infinity Power Step, and it is a standard feature on the 267 SSX, 287 SSX & 307 SSX (along with surf models).  The Chaparral-exclusive Infinity Power Step is built into the swim platform on the boat.  The other great benefit that goes hand-in-hand with this feature is a massive swim platform, which is great as most boaters spend lots of time in this area. 

The Infinity Power Step is, as the name suggests, a power step rather than manually operated.  It is controlled by a switch near the rear swim platform.  The user presses one button to power up the step.  This kills all power to the engine at the same time for safety purposes so you cannot deploy the step with the engine running.  Once the power is switched to the step, pressing the second button will lower the steps down into the water while also lowering the outdrive to keep that away from anyone that might be getting into the water, also for safety purposes.  The swim platform also features two cupholders on the back of the platform which also serve as a position where the handle mounts to assist in getting out of the water.

To retract the steps, you press the button a second time which will fold the steps back up into the swim platform.  Compared to other manufacturers manually operated steps, the Infinity Power Step is a breeze to retract this way rather than laying on your belly to try to pull it back up.  Check out the video below to see the Infinity Power Step in action!

Chaparral 307 SSX Arch Options

Chaparral offers 3 different options for shade on the 307 SSX.  If you don’t choose and upgrades, the boat comes standard with a bimini top.  Most people choose to upgrade beyond the bimini top though.  The first option is the EFX Electric Arch with Bimini Top.  This is also what some people might call a wakeboard tower.  It is a very well-built arch and lowers all the way down with the press of a button at the helm for low clearance areas.  It comes standard with a canvas bimini top that mounts to the arch itself for shade.  It features a tow-point at the top for pulling wakeboarders/skiers/wake surfers (surf package only).

The highest-level option here is the Electric Folding Hardtop.  This is how you will find many boats on the market equipped, and for good reason.  The Electric Folding Hardtop is a fiberglass hardtop with two tinted glass sunroof areas built into the top.  It gives you a larger shaded coverage area compared to the EFX Electric Arch with Bimini top.  When lowering the top, the arch arms fold forward but the top stays horizontal and comes down to a point just above the windshield.  Not only does this give great clearance for low roofs and doors, but it can be operated in a down position as well.  This can be very nice to have when caught in the rain to help the passengers stay as dry as possible.  It eliminates the difficulty that some users experience when opening the bimini canvas tops.  And to top it off, it just plain looks great on the boat and really gives it more of a “yacht” feel as hardtops are typically found on much larger boats.

Chaparral 307 SSX Cockpit

The interior of the 307 SSX is where you really feel the benefits of the new design.  The beam (width) of the boat is 9’0”, which is 6” wider than the 287 SSX.  Although this might not sound like much, it makes a world of difference inside the cockpit.  The sharper edges and sheer in at the transom allows Chaparral to really open up the cockpit in the boat.  Chaparral calls this an “open concept seating layout”.  There is wraparound seating in the cockpit with a side walkthrough.  The beauty of the openness is that when you have a large crowd in the boat, the passengers don’t feel like they are all sitting on top of each other.  It also gives more legroom in the center of the cockpit and allows everyone to essentially sit in a circle as one big group.  At the helm, you will find dual oversized captain’s chairs.  These are more like a chair-and-a-half and allow an adult to sit side by side with a younger child.

The rear-bench seat is a back-to-back seat so people can sit inside the cockpit and also face backwards on the sunpad at the same time.  This converts to a rear facing lounge as well which is wide enough for 2-3 adults to lay back on.

You will find big, deep storage areas under all the seats excluding the starboard side which has an easy access removable cooler.  The in-floor storage (ski locker) is massive and features a sliding drawer for a dedicated table storage position.

As for flooring, Chaparral now offers snap-in Seadek flooring which matches the interior color choice on the boat.  This has been beefed up for 2024 and is very thick and durable.  It doesn’t get slick when wet and is easy to clean as well.  If a piece is damaged, you can just snap that section out and order a replacement.

Chaparral 307 SSX Helm Design

The helm of the Chaparral 307 SSX is beautifully designed and has an automotive type feel for the driver.  This features an all-glass dash with dual Simrad touchscreen displays.  These units give you all the information you could ever ask for.  They can be fully customized to show your exact preferences.  Most users like to show all engine information on one screen and navigation information on the other.  This includes chartplotting, depth, speed, temperatures, and full mapping of all the boating destinations in the United States.

On the side of the driver’s helm, Chaparral incorporated a large, pull-out storage drawer with drain in the top section of this area.  The bottom section is a pull-out trash which can be removed as well for more storage.

The passenger’s helm has a similar look to the driver’s side but is actually a door in disguise which opens to allow access to the head.  Many boat head compartments are difficult to get in and out of, but Chaparral’s design makes this easy even for adults.  They achieve this by designing the door to open from the front, top and side for a very open entry.  Inside the head, this can be equipped however the buyer prefers.  If you have no intention of using the head toilet, the standard porta-pottie can be easily removed to create a nice, open area that can be utilized for storage.  Some boaters use this to store a cooler or large trash can or even hang life jackets like a closet.  If you do intend to use the head as a bathroom, you can upgrade to the full electric head.  This features a fixed toilet that flushes with a built-in waste tank in the boat that can be pumped out like a camper at most marinas.  It also features fresh water with a sink and removable shower wand.

Chaparral 307 SSX Bow Design

The bow design of the Chaparral 307 SSX follows suit with the cockpit in its massive size.  Going back to the deep hull design we discussed earlier, this allows Chaparral to give the boat very high backrests in the bow.  They also incorporated long stainless-steel grab handles on the top deck.  These two design features give the riders in the boat a great sense of security.  Many times, it’s younger kids who like to ride in the bow, and everyone has a spot to hold on to when the conditions get rough.  It gives the passengers a feeling of sitting “in” the boat rather than “on” the boat.  If you are ever at a boat show, go sit in the bow of our competitors’ boats and then come sit in the 307 SSX bow.  You will notice a significant difference.

The side seats are on dual hinges and flip up for easy access to storage underneath.  For additional comfort, there are flip-up armrests on both sides.  The bow seat base is removable so when boarding from the bow, you don’t have to step on the seat to get into the boat.  The deck has a large nonskid surface at the bow when a passenger wants to hop on and off from the front.  And under the seat you will find a built-in cooler with drain.

Lastly, the Chaparral 307 SSX comes standard with an electric anchor windlass.  This can be deployed from the driver’s helm but can also be controlled from the bow.  For a little extra bling, we recommend going with the stainless-steel plow anchor which comes out through the davit built into the hull.  This option comes with anchor line and chain as well, so you are all set if you select this option.

Chaparral 307 SSX Overview

Looking at all these great features and designs, it’s easy to see why the 307 SSX is such a homerun for Chaparral.  As a manufacturer, Chaparral is currently the #1 selling boat in its categories in the USA.  The company itself is one of the most well-respected boat manufacturers in the business and the quality of their boats is second to none.  The DNA you find in the 307 SSX is found throughout the entire Chaparral lineup, so if the 307 SSX is a little more boat than you need, take a look at its smaller siblings.

We stock the full lineup of trailerable Chaparral models here at Yachts to Sea, so if you would like to take a look at their boats in person, we invite you to visit our huge indoor Chaparral showroom to get a better feel and understanding.  We’ll be happy to help you find the right boat for you and your family.

To start your shopping process, visit the link below to view our current in-stock Chaparral inventory.