21 se

[B-Faithful]

I have a coworker considering a 21se. He loves the layout without forward boxes for fly fishing and light tackle fishing. He is going from an older cabin boat and is concerned about the CC being wet. Can anyone comment on how wet or dry this boat is and is it adequately powered with and f150? Also is this a boat that could be used comfortably fishing the CBBT in the late fall? Also is it fairly comfortable cruising in some chop. He may consider a May-craft 23 (a small 23) due to the dry storage in the console but really likes the open bow and beam of the Parker. I believe they are both priced similarly. I believe he is also considering a 21 sea craft.

 

[Megabyte]

Greg,

My department owns two Parker 21SE's. One is powered by a Merc 225 EFI, and the other by a Yamaha 150 OX66.
Even with all of the extra gear we carry, the 150 is a good choice on the 21SE. Personal experience... the 225 is overkill and (interestingly enough) really doesn't drive the boat much faster than the 150 does. I don't think the few extra knots is worth the expense.

My personal feeling is that a 150 HPDI is fine on that hull, though if you feel you need more, I wouldn't go for more than the 200 HPDI (which is generally hung on the 23SE's).

For the flats in the spring, or the CBBT in the fall, I'd go with full t-top canvas with 'wings' to the washboards like Jumbo1 (Jamie) did on his new 23SE.

BTW - The 21 SeaCraft has a 20 degree deadrise with a 15" draft and an 8' beam.
The Parker 21SE is a 14 degree deadrise with a 10" draft and an 8'6" beam.
Maycraft sells a 20'3" (the 2000 CC model) and a 22'6" model (the 2300 CC) both with an 8' beam. Not sure what the deadrise is on the MC's.

Not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but they're close.
Hope this helps.

 

[sea1skiff]

Deadrise on the Maycrafts is 10-12 iirc. The parker 21 is a lot more boat than the maycraft 23 imo. The MC does have more storage forward since it has those two fish boxes but that is nothing that a 120 qt cooler wont solve. Storage in the console is similar in both as long as you opt for the larger console standard on the 23 parker.

He really needs to look at the 23 parker also. It is a lot more boat than the 21 for not significantly more dollars, especially if he is willing to look at a used one

 

[CCparker]

I ran my 21SE for 6 years with the carbed 150. IMO, thats plenty of horsepower, even with my t-top and a full crew. I went thru plenty of seas and came back in thru many rough inlet runs in that boat and never once felt worried about safety or lack of power to punch over the waves.

With regards to dryness of the ride, sure, you might get wet if you push it, or get the wind blowing back spray on you if really windy, but if you don't mind taking the time, youll get there and back.

As far as comparing to the 21 SeaCraft, my good friend has one, and I have fished on it alot. It does not have near the amount of room as the 21SE. That Parker bow area is second to none. I got my new 23 without the high bow rails, and that makes it so much nicer for fishing up there, anchoring, docking, etc.

Sure, the SeaCraft is going to ride thru the chop better and faster with its deadrise, but there have been many times when I have felt uneasy on that boat while drift fishing in some pretty nasty swells. It does whip and rock alot more that the Parker. Heck, the first time I jumped on the boat I almost fell over as it really pitched, and I'm so used to jumping on my parker and it not even moving. I have no experience with MayCrafts

I would second sea1skiff's opinion about looking at the 23 parker for not alot more money. I'm into my second year on the 23, and it really is a big, big difference in the ride over the 21.

 

[B-Faithful]

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I think he is looking at the 21s due to ease of trailering himself.

I know the boats are quite a bit different. The parker is beamy and stable with open bow, the maycraft has dry storage/head in the helm and can be had with a bracket, the sea craft will eat a chop for lunch.

 

[sea1skiff]

The 23 is a breeze to trailer. I just cant see the 23 being more difficult than the 21.

I have heard that the Maycraft 23 will not self bail with anything over a 150 on her, havent verified that personally but was told that by a dealer.

The walk in console is a nice feature but IMO the overall storage space is just as much in the 23 console as that one, and I have never spoken with anyone who has actually used one as a crapper.

Lastly be sure to consider the freeboard on that Maycraft versus the Parker, to me it was significantly different in favor of the parker

 

[Outta Here]

If the large sportfishing console off the 23's are available, that's the way to go. Be sure to leave out the worthless foreward "cooler seat" option. Lifting the seat cushion allows great access to console storage. Five five gallon buckets are not a problem. I'm 6'5" and can wiggle my torso inside the console for rigging.

If the electronics cabinet is not standard, be sure to opt for it. As with all Parker center consoles, it has its' own floor with 2 small drain holes in back corners. Believe it or not, it is very dry, I usually clean up only once a year and a very small amount of mildew is around.

As far as being "dry", can't beat a Parker, IMO. I've had the 18, 23, and 23DV and never had (or wanted) curtains.

Why not compare the 21DV Parker with a SeaCraft? 21DV Parker could easily come out on top, especially considering build quality.

Of course, as with all Parkers, your co-worker will be gettin' first class Yamaha power. :lol: