Chaparral signature 310 or 246 ssi

[bassmantweed]

Hello All -

Talk about two different boats but i need help.......

I currently have a 20 foot stingray bow rider which i love for the smaller new england lakes but it is just not enough boat for what i am looking to do with the family. We have taken it out in the sound and in some of the bays around cape cod and Newport RI but at times it is not a very safe feeling. My wife and kids love boating but my wife has requested we get a bigger boat that she will feel safer on and one that does not constantly bob over other boats wakes.

I would really like the 310 but the marina costs per year make it hard to swallow versus a trailerable 246 if it is seaworthy. However we would be taking it to Martha's vineyard and block island so with the 310 we wouldn't have to pay for a hotel if we bought the 310.

Usage:

• Exploring new england waterways - long island sound and bays and harbors.....The boat will never go past Martha's Vineyard as i have no interest in being that far out on the pond
• We rent a house on the cape a few times each summer so Buzzards bay or potentially some ocean side trips could be in the future but not far far off shore.

Requirement:

• 
  My wife is tired of being beaten up by the waves and wants to feel safe in the environments i mentioned above in normal conditions - what sort of ride can i expect from the 310 vs the 330

Question:

• is the chaparral 246 a seaworthy boat?

thanks in advance for your replies, i look forward to your valuable input.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Chaparral signature 310 or 246 ssi

The 246 is a nice boat, but I don't think you'll see a ton of improvement over the 20'er just because 4' isn't a lot of length/weight to combat the problem. If you are going to get something non-trailerable, there are a ton of things to consider. I'd want a wide beam (10'+), and twin engines. The ride on something like a 310 would be much better than your Stingray, but it's got as much to do with beam as it does the extra length. Any reason you are stuck on the Chaps? Are we talking new boats or used?