Parker dry weight -vs- Steiger hull weight

[Charlieroc]

I have been comparing the Parker 2120 Pilot house with the Steiger Craft 21 Deep Vee Miami/Chesapeake. There is 1,450 pounds difference in stated weight. Any idea where the extra weight is? Tough choice between the two otherwise. Thanks.

 

[Ranger Tim]

Which is heavier? :wink:

 

[Charlieroc]

Steiger is heavier

 

[DaleH]

There is 1,450 pounds difference in stated weight.

You could be comparing DRY weight to a semi-WET weight of the hull, i.e., as when typically equipped with everything but the motor and user electronics or added options.

Parker's listed DRY WEIGHT of 3250-pounds could just be the weight of the frp hull as she comes out of the mold.

Steiger's listed WEIGHT of 4700-pounds could include everything BUT the motor of choice, to include things like batteries, battery switch, motor instruments, hydraulic helm & cables, cleats, SS rails, SS hawse pipes, all SS hardware, rocket launcher, pulpit, trim tabs & actuators, lights, switches, electrical panels, controls & cables, steering wheel, DC cabling and wiring, ... meaning EVERYTHING needed to make the typical config boat "as sold" run, less the engine HP of choice.

I would not be surprised if Steiger lists their weight as a semi-WET weight, meaning less motor and fuel, and then any customization by the buyer. A good friend has a Steiger CC and while a comparable boat, using both websites' specs, there's NO WAY my friend's CC is almost 1K heavier than the Parker! In fact, I'd opine Parker's are heavier, as all panels and bulkheads are thicker, but that's the CC comparison.

To give you a better idea of boat weight, my '92 mod-V SC has a listed DRY weight of 3500-pounds. But when I rebuilt her (she had been vandalized and was a bare glass hull), I easily added at least 1,000-pounds of systems and needed equipment (see list above) just to float her, LESS the motor. My hit-the-water-weight with motor (450-lbs), full fuel, and all other boating/fishing gear is a rocking 6,100-pounds :shock: , less crew, ice, and food and/or beverages! See here for more info that'll shock you as to how much the gear on a boat adds to the true ready-to-run WET weight!

 

[Tjay]

Both very nice boats.
I like the fish lockers on the Steiger. Wish my 2120 had some.

 

[Hugs Tug]

You can simply call Al Steiger at the factory for the explanation.
My boat was listed much higher than the comparable Parker also.
As Dale stated the weight is more tna likely loaded weight less engine of choice.
Both are good choices.
Tom

 

[Charlieroc]

Dale,
Those were my suspicions; however, I thought someone might know for certain. Thanks everyone.

 

[2320 pilothouse]

grab the pilothouse on the steiger and shake the house back and forth,that was my deciding factor

 

[Ranger Tim]

I like the Steiger 21 foot PH. It has pleasing lines and is nicely appointed. However, there is considerable bias in my mind that the Parker 2120 is a better made boat. Probably 75% of this is due to the fact that I own one! There are a few reasons I can think of to substantiate my preference.

1) When at a boat show I stuck my head under a Steiger gunnel and found unfinished plywood where the second helm pump had been mounted staring back at me. The hole edges had not been sealed. I received a response from Steiger about this in my emailbox that this could not have been, but I stand by what I saw. Perhaps this was an anomaly.

2) I like the step down cabin of the 2120. It enables me to see over the cabin (I'm 6-4) and it would not catch as much wind as the Steiger. Yes, you bump your head at first but not for long. Makes the rocket launchers easy to reach too. Even my wife can reach a rod, and we all want that.

3) The Parker's cabin roof is very substantial - strong enough for me to hop on when I want to make a perfect cast off the front of the boat. And I'm 260 lbs.

4) Take a close look at the wiring and the bilge compartments. There are subtle differences in quality control. For that matter, check Parker against any other manufacturer. You may be surprised at what you find in those hard-to-reach places.

Perhaps the reason I bought Parker was the overall positive feeling I had with the brand. Steiger makes a great boat, but it was not the one that really excited me. YMMV!

 

[Megabyte]

You can simply call Al Steiger at the factory for the explanation.

Good advice. :wink:

I like the Steiger design and was semi-looking for one when I found my Parker.
After 6 years with my Parker 2520, I'm very happy with my choice.

 

[Interloper]

Two features that might contribute to the higher weight of a Steiger Craft compared to a Parker are:

1. The interior surfaces of the cabin on a Steiger Craft are gel-coated fiberglass, not carpet.

2. Since 1996, the cockpit deck of a Steiger Craft is solid fiberglass, not wood cored.

I have been very impressed by the solid construction of a Steiger Craft, but I have to admit that I am biased as I own one. I truly am an interloper on this forum.

 

[Interloper]

I was intrigued enough by this issue to actually do some snooping around the Parker and Steiger Craft websites. The Parker website provides numbers for "Dry Weight". The Steiger Craft website provides numbers for "Hull Weight". I'll make the assumption that the numbers refer to the basic boat without motor and fuel.

Parker 2120 SL Sport Cabin: 3250 lbs
Steiger Craft 21 Deep Vee Chesapeake/Miami: 4700 lbs

Parker 2310 DV Walkaround: 4288 lbs
Steiger Craft Block Island 23: 4800 lbs

Parker 2320 SL Sport Cabin: 4100 lbs
Steiger Craft Chesapeake 23: 5000 lbs

Parker 2510 XLD Walkaround: 5500 lbs
Steiger Craft 255DV Block Island: 5600 lbs

Parker 2520 XLD Sport Cabin: 5800 lbs
Steiger Craft 255DV Chesapeake/Miami: 5900 lbs

There are some anomalies in the Parker numbers. The weight jump between the 2120 SL Sport Cabin and the 2320 SL Sport Cabin seems rather large. Also, I am perplexed as to why the 2310 DV Walkaround would be heavier than the 2320 SL Sport Cabin.

Regarding the Steiger Craft weights, I suspect that my Block Island 23 was built heavier than the naval architect intended. The cockpit scuppers seem rather close to the waterline. The boat was originally intended to have a wood core deck. The construction was switched to solid fiberglass in 1996, the year my boat was built.

 

[Megabyte]

Parker 2120 SL Sport Cabin: 3250 lbs
Steiger Craft 21 Deep Vee Chesapeake/Miami: 4700 lbs

Parker 2310 DV Walkaround: 4288 lbs
Steiger Craft Block Island 23: 4800 lbs

Parker 2320 SL Sport Cabin: 4100 lbs
Steiger Craft Chesapeake 23: 5000 lbs

Parker 2510 XLD Walkaround: 5500 lbs
Steiger Craft 255DV Block Island: 5600 lbs

Parker 2520 XLD Sport Cabin: 5800 lbs
Steiger Craft 255DV Chesapeake/Miami: 5900 lbs

The 25's are close, but the smaller boats have wildly different numbers.
Likely the only way to tell for sure is to put em on a scale.

Still, with the 25 Parkers being a 9'6" beam, you would expect them to be quite a bit heavier.
The smaller boats with an 8'6" beam should be closer.

Maybe published weights are like published lengths.

 

[nedbaker]

I've owned a Steiger 21 Block Island and a now own a Parker 2120 PH and the Parker is much better in handling and ruggedness. If you are out in sloppy weather, the Parker handles the the rolls much better. Just go over every inch and you will see the differences in quality.

 

[B-Faithful]

I wish NMMA would establish standards on listing specs for a boat. Weight, length, etc can be anything. You never know what is included in the measurments listed.

 

[Megabyte]

I wish NMMA would establish standards on listing specs for a boat. Weight, length, etc can be anything. You never know what is included in the measurments listed.

Very true, but that would throw a lot of marketing departments into a tizzy. :shock:

How many times has the GW Sailfish 'increased' in length from a 25 to a 28?
And your Gortons Fisherman buddy... remember the published specs there? Accurate?
How about the 23' boats in the SKA? We all know they aren't 23's...

I'm not so sure you'd get some companies to 'shorten' their boats after 'stretching' them.

Companies like Parker who measure the hull from stem to stern are the best indicators of actual size, and there are other companies who do as well.
There are also a lot of companies who don't.

It's all a matter of 'buyer beware' by asking all of the proper questions, before making their decision.
This isn't an "us -vs- them" discussion... but it is a matter of not everyone using the same yardstick, because no 'standard' yardstick exists when it comes to marketing boats.
Potential buyers just need to understand that.

 

[DaleH]

This isn't an "us -vs- them" discussion ...

Both are good boats, but it appears they may be weighed quite differently. Let's not bash each other's brand of choice .

... it is a matter of not everyone using the same yardstick, because no 'standard' yardstick exists when it comes to marketing boats. Potential buyers just need to understand that.

Well said Capt!

 

[DaleH]

Further definition is hard. Take beam, for example. How would one compare a 3 piece Parker beam to a 2 piece ( ) brand "S" ?

Shouldn't beam be taken at the widest point of the hull? Even with boats with lots of Carolina flare, typically the widest part is still well aft of this point, or roughly somewhere forward of the mid-line sheer.

 

[Capt. Ronnie]

So to the question that really matters...........
WHICH ONE GIVES THE BETTER RIDE ???????

As many here know I have a 2320 sport cabin, but bought a new 28ft BHM downeast early last year.
I have 1/2 hearted had my Parker for sale since then.
I put the Parker in the water a few weeks ago because I had a potential buyer and just to get some use out of it (sitting for 2 years isn't doing it any good)
I took it out with my 2 sons last weekend. It was blowing a bit and had ABOUT A 2 ft chop.
It was nice to go 35kts, but
MAN, I DON'T MISS THAT POUNDING RIDE !!!!!!!!!!!! :wink:
I have a friend who has the 21 Steiger and he says it rides much better than the Parker !
Non question, Parker makes a much better (fit & finish) boat ,
But the ride ????????????????????????????

 

[Capt. Ronnie]

Yer comparing the ride of a 23' boat that runs 45 mph to the ride of a 28' boat that might run 25 ?

I would imagine a Corvette would ride somewhat rougher that a minivan. :wink:

As I said, I have a friend who has a 21 Steiger and he says it rides much better than my Parker ( he has been on my Parker many times and knows the ride) I've never been on the Steiger though