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Parker 17 0r Parker 18
- Thread starter keepah
- Start date
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DBthal
Active member
Here are both 17' & 18' for sale in Maine:
http://www.jeffsmarine.com/boats-for-sa ... -For-Sale/
Dan
http://www.jeffsmarine.com/boats-for-sa ... -For-Sale/
Dan
RagTop
Well-known member
Word of caution: I can personally attest that 115hp makes for a woefully underpowered Parker 18.
pmeggers
Well-known member
Im going to go ahead and respectfully disagree with rag top on this one. I have owned 2 18 foot boats, both with 115 yammys. My old 2004 18 parker had a 115 yammy 4 stroke and i saw 39 mph with moderate amount of gear. The boat was no speed demon but unless on a calm evening/morning or on a river, i did not want to see 40 on that boat.
I also restored a 18 1986 wellcaft fisherman and had 115 yammy 1988 2 stroke yammy. It saw roughly the same speeds. Again, even a better riding boat than the parker it was fine power wise.
I also restored a 18 1986 wellcaft fisherman and had 115 yammy 1988 2 stroke yammy. It saw roughly the same speeds. Again, even a better riding boat than the parker it was fine power wise.
RagTop
Well-known member
No offense taken, but here's my view.... My 1801 w/ 115 also has a top-end of about 38...providing the stars align (Clean hull, trimmed out, tail wind, following current, 1/2 tank of gas, 2 people onboard). This means I have to push 47K RPMS to maintain a cruising speed of 26 mph. I don't want to do that. I don't want to use 80% of an engine's power to maintain a cruising speed. It's not efficient and it's disconcerting to know there ain't much more in the throttle if I need it. So while I may rarely take an 1801 42mph...it would be nice to know that I could if the situation demanded it. It would be nicer still, to cruise at 66-70% engine capacity.
Additionally, I have experienced following seas wherein the 115 would not push through the trough. I think some of this may have to do with Parker intentionally (I confirmed this with them) mounting the motor higher than normal. A higher mount may help you in the skinny-water bays down east, but it doesn't help you get the bow up (if you have no tabs). So I'm gonna take my motor down a notch next month...which I anticipate will further diminish the 115's cruising performance.
Bottom line: The boat is rated for a 150 and that's what it needs.
Additionally, I have experienced following seas wherein the 115 would not push through the trough. I think some of this may have to do with Parker intentionally (I confirmed this with them) mounting the motor higher than normal. A higher mount may help you in the skinny-water bays down east, but it doesn't help you get the bow up (if you have no tabs). So I'm gonna take my motor down a notch next month...which I anticipate will further diminish the 115's cruising performance.
Bottom line: The boat is rated for a 150 and that's what it needs.
DBthal
Active member
Rag Top -
I've always wondered whether the 1801 wouldn't be stern heavy with a F150. Wasn't the hull originally designed for much lighter 2-stroke motors?
Dan
I've always wondered whether the 1801 wouldn't be stern heavy with a F150. Wasn't the hull originally designed for much lighter 2-stroke motors?
Dan
RagTop
Well-known member
Think you may be correct... The 1801 is heavy sans engine... Which accounts for its smooth (albeit wet) ride. Ideally, a slightly lighter Susuki might be the way to go?
pmeggers
Well-known member
I can understand your concern with running 80%. However, the efficiency just never concerned me. The 115 was incredible on fuel. I was told by my dealer and mechanic (friend) that running the 4strokes hard is not an issue.
I never experience your problems with pushing through a following sea. I would get soaked anyways if I chose to really lay into some forward running swells. I do not know the weight difference between a 115 and a 150. Nevertheless, at Boats Inc in Niantic and in the surrounding Niantic area there are at least 20+ 18' Parkers. 50% of them have 100 HPs on them and 50% have 115's. I have NEVER seen one with a 150.
I never experience your problems with pushing through a following sea. I would get soaked anyways if I chose to really lay into some forward running swells. I do not know the weight difference between a 115 and a 150. Nevertheless, at Boats Inc in Niantic and in the surrounding Niantic area there are at least 20+ 18' Parkers. 50% of them have 100 HPs on them and 50% have 115's. I have NEVER seen one with a 150.
RagTop
Well-known member
I don't doubt your observations regarding 115s on Parkers, but I'm not sure it's pertinent to the discussion, as the price-point most assuredly dictates the market. (More cars are sold with cloth upholstery, but leather is available.) There are numerous 1801s with 150s down here, and I for one am envious. I've never met an owner that wished he had less HP, but plenty that yearn for more. Again, the boat is rated for a 150.
Love my Parker... it's the wettest boat I've ever owned, has absolutely no zip and it handles like a tractor, but it's also the smoothest 18 I've owned and I got an insane deal on it. I'll learn to live with the 115...and try not to look at the 1801s that are sporting 150s.
Love my Parker... it's the wettest boat I've ever owned, has absolutely no zip and it handles like a tractor, but it's also the smoothest 18 I've owned and I got an insane deal on it. I'll learn to live with the 115...and try not to look at the 1801s that are sporting 150s.
pmeggers
Well-known member
OK - correct - a 100 or a 115 makes for a cheaper boat - cannot contest that, right?
I disagreed with your inital observation which was that a 115 makes for a "woefully underpowered" Parker 18. That, and that only.
A 115 is a suitable horsepower for the boat. The 18 is meant to pop around inshore fishing locations / possibly some tubing and skiing with the family / some touring the friends and friends.... rarely do you see somebody purchasing a an 18 for the purpose of doing intense offshore fishing, where you need a sizeable amount of power to make your mark.
A 150 is, without a doubt, going to be better engine for the 18'....but the 115, in my opinion, worked just fine for me (and I am 26 years old, I like speed). I do not think it was "woefully" underpowered.
I disagreed with your inital observation which was that a 115 makes for a "woefully underpowered" Parker 18. That, and that only.
A 115 is a suitable horsepower for the boat. The 18 is meant to pop around inshore fishing locations / possibly some tubing and skiing with the family / some touring the friends and friends.... rarely do you see somebody purchasing a an 18 for the purpose of doing intense offshore fishing, where you need a sizeable amount of power to make your mark.
A 150 is, without a doubt, going to be better engine for the 18'....but the 115, in my opinion, worked just fine for me (and I am 26 years old, I like speed). I do not think it was "woefully" underpowered.
RagTop
Well-known member
Fair enough... "woefully" may have been a reflection of my personal disappointment in its performance.
Gonna have to call BS on the tubing and skiing though. Try (2 adults in the boat / 2 ten-year olds being pulled)...painful (Think hole-shot without the shot.) and about as nimble as a train.
We live on the ICW, so I typically take the family a couple of miles north... hit our favorite sandbar and hang out for the day. But roughly 6 times a year, I take the ICW two hours south to Bald Head Island. This trip requires negotiating the Cape Fear River, which can be as flat as a mill pond or it can stack up some 3' chop...depending on wind/tide. It's during the uncomfortable passages that: (A) I get soaked to the bone, (B) I find the boat to be under-powered...and (C) The word "woefully" comes to mind.
Gonna have to call BS on the tubing and skiing though. Try (2 adults in the boat / 2 ten-year olds being pulled)...painful (Think hole-shot without the shot.) and about as nimble as a train.
We live on the ICW, so I typically take the family a couple of miles north... hit our favorite sandbar and hang out for the day. But roughly 6 times a year, I take the ICW two hours south to Bald Head Island. This trip requires negotiating the Cape Fear River, which can be as flat as a mill pond or it can stack up some 3' chop...depending on wind/tide. It's during the uncomfortable passages that: (A) I get soaked to the bone, (B) I find the boat to be under-powered...and (C) The word "woefully" comes to mind.
Chief C
Well-known member
Gentlemen,
I've seen a lot of things in my day like a World Fair, a Battleship in action, Waves breaking over a Carrier, hell even two goats fornicating, but this is a first. I have no side in this discussion, but I am taking the time to commend you both on a well thought-out, concise and spirited, but cordial discussion. I enjoyed reading through it and even learned a few things.
Thanks again,
I've seen a lot of things in my day like a World Fair, a Battleship in action, Waves breaking over a Carrier, hell even two goats fornicating, but this is a first. I have no side in this discussion, but I am taking the time to commend you both on a well thought-out, concise and spirited, but cordial discussion. I enjoyed reading through it and even learned a few things.
Thanks again,
RagTop
Well-known member
Can't speak for the others, but I'm honored to have participated in an exercise that ranks right up there with goat fornication!
