21 CC versus 21 SE. Few basic questions. Buying 1st boat.

[danattherock]

Been searching and searching for info as of late and the more I learn, the more I want a Parker. My initial hope was for a 23' with twins, but it looks as if a 21' CC or SE with a 200 or 150 (SE) will be my choice. Even then, I will have to buy a 2-3 year old boat. It is my hope to find a low hour motor that still has a few years of warranty on it. My real question at this point is on the hull model. The 21 SE sounds better for flyfishing for reds along the intercoastal waterway, albies around Harkers, etc.. but may lack in offshore performance. The 21 CC has more deadrise, but drafts 5" deeper (15" versus 10" on the SE). Although these same characteristics should make it more suitable for offshore fishing. My hope is to get out to the 20 mile range on decent days for mahi mahi, kings, etc.. off Southport,NC where the boat will be kept. All this rambling to ask one question. What model would you recommend? Pros/cons? Any info at all would be appreciated.



-Dan

 

[Megabyte]

You already seem to have a firm grasp of the advantages of each hull.
That's the good part!
Next, you will probably have to ask yourself which of the two types of fishing you intend to do more of.

If it's more inshore and ICW, and you go offshore on good days, look at the SE.
If its more offshore, and the extra weight and draft inshore aren't a stopper, look at the DVCC.
Either one would be a good choice and the factors to make you move on one might be price and availability.

Hopefully owners of both models will chime in using their personal observations.
In the mean time, check out the For Sale area to see if there are any likely candidates there for you. :wink:

Good luck!

 

[CCparker]

Exactly what Megabyte said. before I got my 23SE, I had the 21SE. Primarily fish within 8 miles of the beach, but would run the 21SE out 35 or so. I just picked my days. Depends on your budget and what you feel you will be doing more of. If going used, try to get the best boat that you can for your money, wether it be the DV or MV. I will tell you though, that going from the 21 to the 23 was a huge difference in ride. They are all great boats, and there are some deals out there for sure.

I had a 21SE with a carbed 150 yammi. MY 23 SE has a 200 four stroke.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[TomS]

Unless the 5" extra draft is a deal-breaker for you on some of the flats you fish, go with the DV.

IMHO for a 60/40 split of inshore/offshore fishing:

23DV > 21DV > 23SE > 21SE > 18

But ALL are great boats

-- Tom

 

[GaryM]

Dan, I had the very same dilemma when I was looking for a boat last year. Having owned a 21 footer before I knew I wanted a 23 ft boat, so I was deciding between the 23DVCC and 23SE. I thought the SE was a better fit for me for a few reasons, one of the greatest being economics. I tow my boat 160 miles one way just to get to the coast (Raleigh to Morehead/Beaufort) and considering the DV is 1050 lbs heavier, holds 45 gallons more gas and is generally equipped with a heavier motor I felt the SE was safer and cheaper to tow that distance with my truck. I also realized that as much as I love offshore fishing the truth is I enjoy inshore just as much and do more of it because of weather opportunities and the people I usually go with prefer inshore. Additionally, the SE gets better mileage on the water.

I love my boat and plan to have it for years to come. It suits my needs great, but I’m man enough to admit it does pound in the chop even with the trim tabs down. It feels safe and I know the boat will take much worse than I will, but it is not an offshore machine. If you truly believe you will be fishing offshore at least 50% of the time and towing is not an issue for your truck or wallet than go with the DV. If the reality is you fish inshore most of the time than the SE is probably the best inshore platform available - it’s stable, open, economical and low draft. Either way you can not go wrong.

Gary

 

[danattherock]

dolphin are king by-catch (at best rarely caught) unless you run to (at least) The Steeples, around 70 miles out, and then hit or miss.

.

If the gulf stream is only 50 miles out (from Southport) you are saying I need to go 20 miles past the gulf stream for mahi mahi?

I don't know much, but I am confused. Also, had read recently where many folks were catching mahi mahi 8-15 miles offshore.

Am I overlooking something here. I don't doubt your input, just find it contradicting other stuff I had recently read.

In either case, sounds like there is great utility in stepping up to a 23' DV with a 250 if I can find the dough. That may be an issue.

Thanks for any further input.



-Dan

 

[danattherock]

Thanks for the info man. I really appreciate it. I got lots to learn for sure, never doubted that. Will be buying a boat soon though. Guess that is when the real education will begin. I do intend to hire a guide captain to get me started out. Basics with the boat, navigating, and of course fishing. Figure between that and the Chapmans book I have been reading I will at least have a clue what to do. But as you say, it will take years to put all the pieces together. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Right? Thanks for all the great help here. I appreciate your time and thoughts man.


-Dan


743.48 miles from home currently

 

[GaryM]

Dan, remember the NC coast cuts inward towards the SW as you travel from Hatteras down to Southport, so Hatteras tends to be very close to the gulfstream and Southport very far. Plus, the gulfstream moves, so the distance varies several miles during the seasons.

You mention Southport and Harkers in you original post, so it sounds like you may be trailering to different places. I’ve never fished out of Southport, but I’m certain FishFactory is dead on with his description. If you fish out of Beaufort Inlet (Harkers area) than there are days you can catch dolphin 8 to 15 miles out without going to the gulfstream. In the summer the dolphin can be caught at the 14 buoy and the 90 foot drop (about 15 miles) and once in a while they are caught at the sea buoy (8 miles), but not on a regular basis. Tuna and wahoo can be caught in the gulfstream, but to me gulfstream fishing out of Beaufort does not compare to gulfstream fishing out of Hatteras or Oregon Inlet where tuna, dolphin, wahoo and billfish are more abundant and the ride out is much shorter.

FF has great advice above and if you aren’t at the coast Fisherman’s Post can be read online at www.fishermanspost.com.

Gary

 

[danattherock]

Great insights man, thanks. Also, thanks for the link. Just spent an hour reading over there and saved the link for later. Great resource.

Dan