1801 or other boat advice

[Captain Frosty]

Hi there. I'm a newbie and want to buy my first boat. I have my eye on a parker 1801 06 . Its in the 17000.00 range . Has a bimini top and real low hrs on 4 stroke. Electronics etc . The thing is I've ridden on older ones (95) and the ride was ok - the manual steering was terrible and if I didnt hold on to wheel it would eject us - I'm sure the newer no feedback steering is safer and easier... I want the boat for fishing and cruising cape cod bay - doesnt seem I'd be able to do much more with it than that - I dont see myself being able to make a trip to the vineyard so to say due to its size....but what do i know. The other thing is i'm afraid the boat is not going to be very comfortable for my kids and wife - There is no bow platform like the new ones have as an option to put cushions down and relax etc ... I'm curious if there is a way to add this bow platform for low dough and make it a bit more family friendly . I've been looking at cheaper new boats like Sea Hunts ,Cobias and Tidewaters that are geared up for fishing and family for double the money . Ya they are bigger boats as well and have good reviews - I just kind of wanted to learn on a used boat and get to know what I really want -I know the Parker will keep its value etc - I just know my wife wont like it probably - not a bad thing _HA! I guess I'm looking for newbie advice - part of me says get the parker and the other says go for the new one ....Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DBthal]

Captain Frosty,

Late last season, I bought a 2005 Parker 1801 as my first boat. I had some of the same questions & concerns as you.

Now that I've put 72 hours on the boat (more than the boat had in total when I bought it), here are my thoughts:
* The 1801 has been a perfect first boat for me. It is a no frills, well built boat. I am able to handle the boat myself without problem.
* It feels big for an 18 footer. I'm not sure I would have wanted a larger boat when learning boat handling.
* When I first saw the open front deck on the 1801 I thought it was odd. Why not put a bow deck/seat up there? Now that open front deck is one of my favorite features of the boat. It's great for fishing & you can put a folding boat chair or cooler with cushion up there for somebody to sit on.
* I think the boat handles chop well for an 18' modified V boat. It can't compare to a 21 or 23' boat with more deadrise or trim tabs. Such comparisons are not "apples to apples".

I'm proud to own a Parker and haven't seen another boat in it's class that I would rather have.

Regards,

Dan

 

[CGeminski]

I agree with everything stated above.... I purchased a used 2007 1801 and I absolutely love it. Great first boat for me, rides well for it's size, plenty of room, great fishing platform and enough room for your wife to enjoy herself. No one boat does everything in this price range, but you cant beat the 1801's for what you are planning on spending!

 

[jonas grumby]

I went from a 23' w/a Proline to my '07 1801. What other platform will let me flycast the lower Chesapeake and her tributaries, troll the beaches, run me 15 m offshore, pull my kids on tubes and take me to the local marina for dinner at 5.5 mpg? BTW the open bow w/o platform allows great storage for tubes! Buy the boat for what you plan to use it for, the w/a was great for cruising and fishing in the cold but my fishing/ boating style has changed w/ time. I've had a few boats since the age of 12 and after 31 years of boat-owning , I honestly think/ hope my 1801 will be my last.