2012 Chaparral 420 Premiere Sport Yacht

Boat Reviews

Reviewed by Richard Crowder

"We've introduced 20 new boats in the last seven years, 7 boats in 2012 alone." "Design Innovation" is one of the "...four cornerstone reasons why Chaparral is 'Leading by Design.' We've built our company around these time tested ideals." "Chaparral has won an unmatched 41 awards for product excellence including 12 Boat of the Year trophies." The "Boat of the Year winning 420 Premiere Sport Yacht" is not one of the seven new Chaparral models for 2012, but it is new to Canada in 2012 and thus chosen for this review.

Chaparral offers twenty-nine models in seven series for 2012 ranging from 18 to 42 feet in Sport Boats, Deckboats, Xtreme watersports boats, and cruisers in the Signature and Premiere series. There are six Signature Cruiser models from 27 to 37 feet and the one Premiere model, the 420.

"Think of the 420 as old-world craftsmanship wrapped in its most modern form. From the integrated hard top to the futuristic helm electronics, to the televisions, to the sound system, to the most lavish cabin ever designed, every component reflects our passion to move beyond state-of-the-art." Let's explore Chaparral's flagship 420 Premiere and the numerous amenities it offers.

The hull of the 420 incorporates Kevlar™-reinforced engineered laminates using "Hydropel" resin with a molded fiberglass stringer system providing a finished bilge surface. The wide-beam, 18° deadrise modified deep-vee of the 420 has been specifically created to accommodate Volvo's diesel IPS propulsion system with intuitive Joystick helm control. The standard integral swim platform with concealed three-step stainless steel swim ladder can be optioned up to a hydraulic unit operated via a remote control on a convenient umbilical cord.

The cockpit of the 420 invites friends and entertaining with lots of seating and open space. A portside lounger seat with armrests is next to the twin adjustable helm bucket seats with integrated headrests. These two seats adjust up and down as well as forward and back, all via armrest lever controls. A fiberglass hardtop with two skylights, deck hatch, and overhead lighting meets the aluminum-framed curved tempered glass windshield equipped with electric side vent windows. Port and starboard wipers with washers are standard. An electric retractable sunroof is optionally available.

The aft level of the cockpit features a full L-shaped lounge with storage below along the portside and transom. The "Powerslide" aft seat transom portion of this lounge converts to a sunlounger in conjunction with the aft-facing double-wide transom seating. A cockpit Clarion® AM/FM/CD player with MP3 port, amplifier, subwoofer, four speakers and a remote is standard along with a removable teak cockpit table and starboard side split-level wet bar with stainless steel sink, solid counter surface, pull-out sprayer, storage, and stainless steel refrigerator. An electric grill is optional. Snap-in carpet is standard as is "Seamark" colour-coordinated aft canvas with side curtains. Cockpit air conditioning/heating is optional as is a 22" flatscreen TV on an electric lift system with surround sound.

Down below in the cabin, the wide beam allows for a huge U-shaped convertible dinette on the starboard side of the salon opposite the galley. Headroom is 6'6". The L-shaped galley features all of the expected amenities including solid surface countertop with stainless sink, two burner electric stove, stainless LG® microwave/convection oven, power vent, trash receptacle, large upright stainless steel AC/DC refrigerator/freezer, lots of storage, and six sets of dinnerware and silverware with designated storage. The salon also features a 32" LG® flatscreen HD/TV with remote, DVD, powered arch antenna plus cable to a dockside connection plus an LG® stereo with 1000 watt home theatre. Zone-controlled 22,000 BTU of air conditioning/heating regulates the interior comfort. A standard 10.0 kW Kohler® diesel generator with sound shield provides AC power when the 420 is away from shorepower.

There are two staterooms in the 420 Premiere, each with its own head and shower – albeit the forward stateroom shower compartment is a separate stand-alone unit with its own entrance. The master stateroom forward has a privacy sliding pocket door and features a patent pending custom dual position full queen-size island-style bed with innerspring mattress and fitted sheets with coordinated spread plus a 19" LG® flatscreen TV with DVD. The aft stateroom offers a convertible L-shaped Ultraleather HP® covered couch with filler cushions that convert it to a queen-size bed. Both heads are Vacuflush®.

Standard power on the 420 is a pair of 370 hp Volvo L 500 diesels with IPS propulsion system. You can opt up to the twin 435 hp L 600 diesels with IPS. Chaparral offers a comprehensive option list to allow you to even further enhance your 420 with such items as Garmin electronics, central vac, fabric material and colour choices, fore-deck sunpad, remote spotlight, underwater lights, etc.

It would certainly appear that Chaparral has succeeded with its cornerstone of "Design Innovation" in its flagship 420 Premiere Sport Yacht.

2012 Chaparral 420 Premiere Sport Yacht Photo Gallery

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