Pilot House Owners

[rogerf]

Hi guys,
Well I've had my new 2320 for about a month now and I am still amazed with the versatility of the boat and the performance is beyond my expectations. I should have listened to you years ago, and purchased one then, I could have saved a boat load of money on inferior brands.
So far I have added a Lowrance HDS 8, the rod holders (6) on the top, and an oscillating fan (on the first 7 hour shakedown/breakin cruise we ran into some rough water and nearly boiled in our own juice when we shut the front windows). Everything else is stock.
For you long time owners : What has been the best modification you have made to your boat?
Thanks in advance,
Roger

 

[Lucky John]

The first addition was my windlass, worth every penny I spent esp when I am fishing white water for bass in the fall.
Second would be my radar, reduces alot of stress esp when leaving in the wee hours to go tuna fishing.

 

[DaleH]

Roger:

Welcome aboard to ClassicParker !

What has been the best modification you have made to your boat?

Since my boat didn't have OEM trim tabs, I'd have to say that the oversize (width) tabs by Bennett have been one of my top 3 BEST additions to my boat!

Ties for #1 include radar and a GPSequipped fuel computer (Northstar) giving instantaneous fuel efficiency readouts in MPG or NmPG.

Other 'must haves' would be a Furuno 50/220Hz depthfinder and I will say having a stereo with remote op panel is cool. Oh, and now triple controls stations is be bomb!

 

[TimC2520]

I feel like every add on I made was the best. That's what is so great about these boats, they are so easy to "trick" out and add things after the fact.

 

[Phil]

The most useful mod on my boat is the autopilot. The best bang for the boating buck is my netbook running 10year old version of Nobeltec chartplotter displaying on a 17" HDTV/PC monitor with MIFI wireless internet. A nice mod to have is a microwave oven so you can have warm food instead of just a sandwich.

 

[Brent]

2 items
A new GPS/Chartplotter/FF. Last year, I bought aGarmin 545S and Homeport software.
Boat stands b/c we use davit lifts and store boat on the hard. We can add wheels later if we ever have the need to "roll it about"

 

[grouperjim]

if she is a little warm for you..........give her the sawzall treatment.

 

[rogerf]

Roger:

Welcome aboard to ClassicParker !

What has been the best modification you have made to your boat?

Since my boat didn't have OEM trim tabs, I'd have to say that the oversize (width) tabs by Bennett have been one of my top 3 BEST additions to my boat!

Ties for #1 include radar and a GPSequipped fuel computer (Northstar) giving instantaneous fuel efficiency readouts in MPG or NmPG.

Other 'must haves' would be a Furuno 50/220Hz depthfinder and I will say having a stereo with remote op panel is cool. Oh, and now triple controls stations is be bomb!

Sorry about the pics Dale, I need to get some taken while shes still shiny and new
Can pics be uploaded directly from your pc or do I need a third party source like Photobucket?

Roger

 

[rogerf]

Thanks for the responses, I thought about radar, but fog generally isnt a problem in my area, and if I add more electronics Im kinda leaning toward a sidescan module and transducer for the Lowrance. I was caught out in the fog one morning (not on this boat) and it is amazing how disoriented you become, I had the feeling that we were running downhill :?: ,very strange.
My tabs seem to do ok
The windlass is a great idea, but I dont have the pulpit. I will be adding an anchor roller (and moving the bow nav lights).
The sawzall treatment looks great , but I may wait a few years till the new wears off . But grouperjim I do like your sunshade and I believe I see a baitwell in the center of your cockpit, that would would be nice.
Striper season is coming (Oct 4 for Va) and I"m thinking about a small heater for the cabin. What do most of you use, an electric or a propane style?
Thanks again, and please keep the suggestions coming. You have all been very helpful,

Roger

 

[B-Faithful]

Windlass - allows me to set up while chumming or liveling more often to ensure I find fish. Before the windlass I would stick out a spot too long because it was too much work to move and reset up.

for you photo buffs

Radar - I can run at night with more confidence so I am at a fishing spot when the sun comes up. I also can fish the channell edge in lower visability without getting run over by a ship

For the photo buffs

Windlass in action and radar in one shot :lol:

 

[dcunniff]

Shore power and battery charger, on '96 2530, it did not have it.

Dana

 

[TheOtherLine]

B -

Photo buffs love photos.

 

[stonebuster]

On my last 25 PH Parker I had radar, GPS, Furuno FF, two radios, paper charts, but no chartplotter and never saw the need for one. That is until I equipped the next boat with a C-80 chartplotter. The best thing I ever did. I don't know how I got along without it.