Center Console thoughts

[B-Faithful]

The last two seasons my wife and daughters have bearly boated with me. (maybe 4 trips the last two summers) This year we moved to a home that has a beach down the street so having a boat isnt even necessary for them swimming in the bay. Since the boat is only being used for fishingI have been thinking about getting center console. At this point I have only been kicking around the idea but it has been gaining some interest as I have exchanged some emails with Bill Judge regarding having a semi custom 24 built at a phenominal price. (Bill is slow and looking to fill time for the fall build). I would also consider loading up a 23se but Bill could build it the way I want. (level deck all the way to the bow, in console head for storage/potti, 30" transom, etc. ). I am alos sure I could power it the way I want to as well. Bill mainly does Honda but is flexible.

My question for you guys is do those of you who fish CC's in the winter in the NJ, MD, DE, VA area really regret their style boat come December or in the early spring when the big bass are really running. I know a CC would be great for the chumming I do in the late spring and drift fishing/jigging/casting in the summer and early fall but really dont want to give up the CBBT run in the winter or Late fall DE bay possibilities. Bill does claim his 24 to be very dry riding.

Of course I am just stil kicking it around as I have a house to sell but am working on that.

Here are photos of the 24: http://www.judgeyachts.com/24centerconsole/photos.htm

 

[Megabyte]

Well... for the cold early spring and late fall, you could do a t-top with a 3-sided enclosure, or do something like Jamie (Jumbo1) and Walleye Pete did.
Jamies 21SE and Walleye Petes both had (have) bimini's with a full 4-sided enclosure. Jamies new 23SE has the Parker factory 3-sided enclosure...

Not quite as cool as his pilothouses, but Bill does build good CC boats.
With 12 degrees at the transom, get some big tabs to get that 45 degree bow down. :wink:

 

[Outta Here]

The Parker 21DVCC will (IMO) outfish, outride, and out re-sale a Judge. My choice for you would be a 23DVCC. Last boat you'll ever buy. Take off the 250-4 Yamaha, should be an easy motor to sale. Put on a 300 Stroker and you'll be the class of the Chesapeake.

You'll be able to fish from Maine to Venice Louisanna 8) .

re: your post "Holy Smokes"...just saw it. Look further down, '90 25 Grady w/2 strokes worth same as '95 Judge 27 footer w/diesel????

Weather advisery "Get The Parker" :wink:

 

[CCparker]

B-Faithful-
I had a 21SE for 6 years and have run my current 23SE for the last 2 years out of Manasquan Inlet, NJ. My boat goes in the water around the end of March and comes out sometime mid December. I do not mind fishing the early spring and late winter on the center console. There are still plenty of nice days during those periods, and on the cold days, well I just dress warmer. (Then again, I also go out duck hunting in January when its single digits and I'm breaking ice in my garvey, so cold doesn't really bother me). If it gets real cold, sometimes someone will lie down up front under a blanket and get out of the wind for a while. That little warm up feels nice sometimes.

I have seen some real nice enclosures that some put on their CC's for the cooler seasons. I do not have one on mine, but am considering one. So, as far as "regrets" that you mention, no, I do not have any.

Not sure if this will help get your wife and daughter on the boat more often, but my wife and kids prefer the CC in the summer time. It gives them more room to walk around and they like having the breeze in their face. Just a few thoughts to kick around.

 

[dave-j]

I have the 23DVCC with canvas front and side curtains as well as the "bat wings". I fish nroth of Boston, and in October the mornings can be, shall we say, brisk. The bat wings are the best idea ever for a CC when making a long run. Take them off for fishing mobility.

That said, a cuddy cabin and full windscreen will be much better in the cold months. However, a CC can't be beat for fishability and just plain fun in the warmer months. Everything on a boat is a compromise and you need to take a very hard look at your priorities.

As for the Judge, they are really well built, basic boats (pretty much Easterns built in MD). That is one small 24! The 23 DV or SE will be a bigger boat. I would go with the DV just because you will be able to handle anything the bay throws at you and laugh.

 

[B-Faithful]

Thanks for all the comments. I am probably going to sit tight for a while and see how the fall fishing goes. Also used boat sales are slow and I still have to sell my old house. (two mortgages isnt fun)

Judge actually uses his own molds now. I beleive he lost the 27 mold in a plant fire he had and the 24 he said is just a shortened 27. His 24 is a big 24 at 24'4" and 8'6" wide.

 

[Porkchunker]

I tied up next to my next boat today at the Parker Rendezvous---Capt. John Deering's Parker 23 CC. He has a nice canvas T-Top with outriggers, and a great layout, including kicker motor for moving around the structure. Now I just have to get the Admiral approval to "downsize."

Anyone interested in a nicely outfitted 2510?

 

[Themis]

Many of you know that I have been mullin around downsizing for a spell. And My boat has been for sale with what I would say limited bites. Hopefull she is sold this week; I won't bet on it as I have had two in the bag deals go by the wayside.

Regarding the downsizing, I am looking also at smaller center consoles. Atop my list is my old 19' Whaler, and Parker 21 SE's. A trailerable boat means about $4k/year in savings from where I am sitting.

I ilke the SE layout a lot. I have seen only used though, and the seller wants within 10% what he paid new.

 

[Megabyte]

Sal, CP member Timbo was tied up to me at the Rendezvous yesterday, and we discussed that very same thing.

We came to the conclusion that in order to buy a used Parker in good condition, you almost have to come by it by word of mouth, or know the owner personally. That is how Tim came by his 21SE. 8)

 

[Outta Here]

Norfork Marine Center (Va) has a new 2006 23SE w/200-4 Yamaha for sale. Note the year, 2006. You can deal on this boat. Found on Boat Trader.

Parker seems to allow dealers to heavily discount year old models. Ad mentions "Sale Price"

By the way, we center console owners consider it an upgrade to trade your cabins for CC's, NOT a downgrade! exp. To trade a 25 cabin for an 18 cc is an UPGRADE!

 

[Porkchunker]

...By the way, we center console owners consider it an upgrade to trade your cabins for CC's, NOT a downgrade! exp. To trade a 25 cabin for an 18 cc is an UPGRADE!

Bite me.

 

[Marek]

What does a decked out 23 se go for ?

 

[Outta Here]

...By the way, we center console owners consider it an upgrade to trade your cabins for CC's, NOT a downgrade! exp. To trade a 25 cabin for an 18 cc is an UPGRADE!

Bite me.

:? "...keyboarding behind a pseudo name gives one a boldness to say things they wouldn't say to a man's face." Mr. Porkchunker, May 29, '07 :wink:

 

[Megabyte]

:lol:

 

[Timbo]

What does a decked out 23 se go for ?

A new 2007 23SE "decked out" with trailer would go for around 40k + or -

 

[FishPimp]

I am ascared to tally the total cost of my "new to me" 23SE. After my upgrades.
Intereseted to see how much a new one costs tricked out with the bells and whistles.

 

[Themis]

Parker 21 SE with F150, Livewell, leaning post with integrated launcher, no trailer is $38k if I deal with the dealer I am supposed to deal with. That is his best price. I would consider it reasonable if for that price the trailer was included.

 

[Outta Here]

Parker 21 SE with F150, Livewell, leaning post with integrated launcher, no trailer is $38k if I deal with the dealer I am supposed to deal with. That is his best price. I would consider it reasonable if for that price the trailer was included.

:shock: :shock: :shock: WOW...I thought an 18 w/4-s and trailer was around $24,000. Is 21 $14,000 more (plus trailer) or am I that far off? Does the $38k include a T-Top? I would guess a 23SE w/T-Top and trailer, 4-s would be $40,000.

As you can tell, I haven't shopped in 4 years.

 

[B-Faithful]

I called for pricing

21se with top, tabs, live well, f150, washdown, trailer 39k

23se with 225 and same stuff ~49k

Personally if I do do anything, i would probably go for the Judge 24 with a 225 Honda well loaded for under 50k. I probably wont even kick it around seriously until next fall though.

 

[Marek]

Does anyone have a 23 se with the 225 ? Would like to know some fuel burn numbers. I need to jump on something soon. The in water show should be our best bet, unless someone knows of a better deal.