2016 Chaparral 290 Signature

Step aboard and you’ll notice how Chaparral squeezed big-boat thinking into a manageable footprint. The elevated helm gives great sightlines while still keeping you part of the cockpit conversation, and the double-wide helm seat flips to face aft when you’re at anchor. The transom bench is deep and secure, with a walk-through to a generous swim platform that’s perfect for staging watersports or lounging with your feet in the water. Below, the joinery and upholstery feel more like a boutique hotel than a weekender, with clever storage tucked into nearly every corner. Overhead hatches and side ports bring in natural light, so the cabin doesn’t feel like you’re “down below” at all.

This size and style of cruiser shines in waters where you’ll mix short hops with longer day runs and overnight stays. The 290’s moderate beam and responsive hull make it easy to handle in tighter fairways and busy channels, yet it still has the confidence to stretch out across open stretches when the forecast is favorable. Shallow draft helps when exploring coves and sandbars, while the roomy cockpit lets friends spread out during slow cruises along the shoreline. With proper canvas, you’re covered for shoulder-season evenings, and the cabin layout turns changing weather into an excuse to stay aboard instead of heading back to the dock.