Making our Parker just a little bit better.

[Russell Wilson]

This is our 2006 Parker 2520XL we have fished the Frying Pan Shoals, Tower and beyond extensively. cruised for Va. to Fl. and created more memories than you could ever imagine. Our Chart Plotter has logged over 14,000 miles and counting. Its nice to read about your adventures and learning along the way.
I though we should share some of ours.

 

[Classic P]

Welcome. Great photo.

 

[Ozdogg]

Welcome to the CP family!

 

[Andy]

View attachment 32117

Hey Russell, Welcome to CP!... This is the first time I've seen a hard cockpit cover like this. Please tell us more; Who makes it? Is it a one-off custom? How much does it weigh? Is it fiberglass? roughly how much $$?...

 

[Ozdogg]

View attachment 32117

It looks very sturdy. Can you stand on top of it?

 

[Russell Wilson]

Information on our hardtop construction has been moved to Projects
Sorry for the confusion I'm New at this!

 

[Russell Wilson]

It looks very sturdy. Can you stand on top of it?

Solid as a rock.

 

[Russell Wilson]

Hey Russell, Welcome to CP!... This is the first time I've seen a hard cockpit cover like this. Please tell us more; Who makes it? Is it a one-off custom? How much does it weigh? Is it fiberglass? roughly how much $$?...

Very Pleased Less than 200#s See Below

 

[Swatski]

That looks great! Should be a factory option if you ask me, lol.

 

[Cman60]

Interesting idea to turn a Parker into a cruiser. You typically think of them as hardcore fishing boats. It seems like that top takes fishing off the table at least casting. So I assume you’re not worried about resale or you will remove it to sell. Either way cool way to customize a boat for your needs.

 

[Russell Wilson]

Interesting idea to turn a Parker into a cruiser. You typically think of them as hardcore fishing boats. It seems like that top takes fishing off the table at least casting. So I assume you’re not worried about resale or you will remove it to sell. Either way cool way to customize a boat for your needs.

 

[Russell Wilson]

I have a couple of Shimano 50s with 5' boat rods for trolling and sometimes you have to make tradeoffs.
You just have to fish with less rods. I think the top might just improve resale and like you said it can easily come off.

 

[fisher]

Shade is great !
Here is one I made with vinyl so water doesn't come thru like on a bimini.
this is the second one i did for myself. other was for a 25 this boat is 23.
I would never take it off.
my pic isn't near as striking ! but you get the idea

 

[fisher]

My boats are for fishing, pretty hard core bottom fishing.
we fish up to 6 people, but i prefer 4
In the fla panhandle this type of top is common on parkers.
its unusual to see one without a top similar to this.
some are short and only attach to the cabin, others go to the transom

 

[Russell Wilson]

Shade is great !
Here is one I made with vinyl so water doesn't come thru like on a bimini.
this is the second one i did for myself. other was for a 25 this boat is 23.
I would never take it off.
my pic isn't near as striking ! but you get the idea

Very Nice

 

[Russell Wilson]

Shade is great !
Here is one I made with vinyl so water doesn't come thru like on a bimini.
this is the second one i did for myself. other was for a 25 this boat is 23.
I would never take it off.
my pic isn't near as striking ! but you get the idea

I really like your baitwell water supply receptacle. I removed the parker deck installed baitwell and use one on the bracket when needed with a hose over the transom (which always seems to be in the way).

 

[Andy]

In the 1970's- 1980's a lot of 'cruising' boaters started buying hard-core fishing boats to cruise on, simply because the fishing boats were stronger, faster, better built, and with hull-forms that could take rough seas much better than the cruising boats of the era. That was true back then, and often still holds true today. Bertram, Hatteras and Viking 'convertibles' were the go-to boats for this....
If Parker made a 'convertible' 28- 30 footer, I would likely trade up. It seems Parker tried this with the 2530 series. (was there a 2830 too?).... These extended pilothouse/cabin Parkers are the hardest to find (not many made), and sell fast; they're gone as soon as they hit the market...

 

[Swatski]

In the 1970's- 1980's a lot of 'cruising' boaters started buying hard-core fishing boats to cruise on, simply because the fishing boats were stronger, faster, better built, and with hull-forms that could take rough seas much better than the cruising boats of the era. That was true back then, and often still holds true today. Bertram, Hatteras and Viking 'convertibles' were the go-to boats for this....
If Parker made a 'convertible' 28- 30 footer, I would likely trade up. It seems Parker tried this with the 2530 series. (was there a 2830 too?).... These extended pilothouse/cabin Parkers are the hardest to find (not many made), and sell fast; they're gone as soon as they hit the market...

AMEN!

Very well said!
--

 

[plumsal]

Well done!

 

[Brent]

Awesome

I would add solar panels