Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

[Brett Abplanalp]

I am looking at buying a 2004 Chaparral 260 Signature cruiser with a 6.2L MerCruiser w/Bravo 3 Outdrive. This boat does have a generator. Does anyone have experience with this boat and if Chaparral has had any issues with it? Also I want to still do some skiing and tubing. Will this boat be able to plane and pull? How does Chaparral compare to Sea Ray?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

Also I want to still do some skiing and tubing. Will this boat be able to plane and pull?

Ayuh,.... Properly Propped,... It'll have No Problem....

 

[Brett Abplanalp]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

I have no idea what this means

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

I have no idea what this means

It means that when at WOT (wide open throttle) and properly trimmed, the engine should be turning in the recommended operating range. Probably around 4400-4800rpm or so. Too high or to low means the boat does not have the proper propeller on it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

Welcome to iboats!

Yes, it will pull a skier but I would not consider it a ski boat........

Is this your first boat? "properly propped" is the proper prop for skiing versus cruising...... re-propping (if needed) just to ski could be time consuming.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

Basically think of propellers in a range from hole-shot to top speed.

On one side of the spectrum you have a propeller setup for a good hole shot, or pulling a skiier out, getting on plane faster...they'll provide low end torque, but the top end of your speed will be reduced.

On the other end of the spectrum is a prop setup for top speed. It might take you thirty minutes to get to top speed, but you'll go fast as hell...but you won't be pulling any skiers out of the water.

In the middle is the prop that most boats have...which is kind of a mix between the two...and probably what is on your boat.

Try pulling a skier with it. If he pops right out of the water, you're good...if not, you might consider changing to a different prop.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

Certainly not an ideal ski boat but it will easily pull one if you so choose.

 

[Brett Abplanalp]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

Thanks for replying to my post about using a cabin cruiser to do some skiing. I own a Sea Ray 210 open bow that has a 18 pitch prop. What type would I need for a 26-27' boat with dual props? I would definably sacrifice top speed for getting out of the hole quicker for occasional skiing.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

If your boat performs reasonably well under normal conditions you shouldn't need to do anything with the props.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Chaparral 260 Signature - will it pull a skier

A nuclear powered air craft carrier can approach speeds of 50 mph and could pull the entire 5000 man crew on water skis. A real pain to turn around and pick up the ones who fall--takes 2 miles.

Don't alter a boat that is not made for skiing so that you can have a little better performance as a ski boat. Just use it like it is, with its limitations. If you ski a lot, you'd get a different boat. (A man can't have too many!)

But be considerate. I often see boats that are too large being used for water sports; they can be dangerous to other boaters/swimmers/skiers and create big wakes both running at lower speeds and more often, with the starts, stops and pick-ups. The worst is using one to teach someone to ski. This is a problem in small bodies of water--which is where the best skiing is.