Sport Cabin?

[KG]

I would like some feed back on the closed cabins vs. the open backs w/ canvas doors? Someone menchioned that the cabin door could have a vibration/noise issue?

 

[pelagic2530]

it depends on 3 things. personal preference, where youre going to be storing your boat, and whats going to be stored inside it. we have the open back. from the standpoint of using the boat, its awesome. you can open up the whole back when out on the troll, which makes access much easier plus eliminates the "shut in" feeling of whoevers at the helm as well as giving better vis towards the back of the boat. i fish on my buddy's XLD with a closed back door and hate it. if it gets nasty, roll down the curtains, works the same as a door. also, theres no dealing with the door swinging around, banging into stuff, or just generally getting in the way, as his does. now, from a security standpoint, it sucks, namely because anyone can undo a zipper and get into your boat. we were broken into once a few years ago, but very little of value is left onboard, so nothing was taken (walked right past the electronics... whew!) basically, all a door is going to do is make your boat a little harder to get into, so maybe theyll go to someone elses. if you dont keep anything expensive aboard, or dock in a very secure location, i would say definitely go for the open back

 

[Bryan 2530]

I never have any vibration from my door, but as pelagic said, they both have their pro's and cons. I sleep on mine alot so its nice to close the door and put the heat on in the spring and fall. Other than that an open back would be nice to open things up a little but I'm not breaking out the sawzall ala Grouperjim yet.

 

[MaxOut]

I fish allot in the spring and fall and prefer a cabin. I had canvas and isinglass on other boats and HATE IT. I have a propane heater that heats the cabin nice and cozy and when it’s icy or raining I can clean my window and see out without damaging it. I never understood this separation issue spoke of with the cabin? :? There are three windows and you can leave the door open if you feel left out.
The main reasons I prefer a cabin-
• I travel allot with my boat and lock gear in cabin. I have nearly as much money invested in electronics and fishing gear as the boat costs. I feel better with a locking door verses a zipper. I know a lock can be overcome but it may slow them down long enough for me to load another clip.

• When the weather gets rough I like fiberglass over canvas to stop the wind, rain, ice etc...My door never leaks wind or water: D and with Rain-X I can always see nice and clear.

• Occasionally I sleep on the boat and also like the security of having a door to keep bad guys out (ammo is getting expensive and hard to find I don’t want to waste it) 8)

• The port rear cabin wall is convenient for someone to lean back on when sitting in the bench seat and the starboard wall has my heater hanging on it when needed.

• Last but not least canvas is expensive and usually only lasts for 5 years or so before you replace it. Plastic windows SUCK and I have enough things to worry about without having to add zipper and snap lubing to my list.

I know it is a matter of preference and I do like canvas back boats just not for me and my application. I probably would be more likely to consider if I lived closer to the equator and didn't travel to colder climates to fish. OK canvas back guys I know i'm asking for it so fire away :wink:

 

[BradV]

If you want a door get the pilothouse if you want an open back get the walk around. Not positive but im assuming the open back pilothouse would have a step down into the cabin area which even with a door and knowing it you will hit your head a few times. With the walkaround the deck is the same level all the way up to the berth. Its nice with the door to be able to lock up stuff or just leave it where it is instead of having to put it in the berth. also not sure what the seating configuration is but the standard cabin with the door has higher up seats that face each other not sure you could use those seats if there wasnt a wall to hold someone up. Never had an issue with the door rattling.

 

[Megabyte]

I think it's the best no-cost option that Parker offers, tho I'm a little biased.

 

[Bryan 2530]

The open backs naturally have cleaner bilges too.

 

[pelagic2530]

If you want a door get the pilothouse if you want an open back get the walk around. Not positive but im assuming the open back pilothouse would have a step down into the cabin area which even with a door and knowing it you will hit your head a few times.

thats actually the best part! the way the canvas rolls up, its IMPOSSIBLE to hit your head on the top of the cabin, unless you take it off. the ONLY time i have ever hit my head on a Parker was on my buddies boat, which has a door :wink:

[qoute="BradV"] also not sure what the seating configuration is but the standard cabin with the door has higher up seats that face each other not sure you could use those seats if there wasnt a wall to hold someone up. [/quote]

im not sure either, but theres a small lip on the outside edge that the snaps attach to that serves perfectly as a leaning point.

I had canvas and isinglass on other boats and HATE IT

i know its personal preference, but have you had it on a pilothouse? i agree, it sucks on walkarounds, inhibits vis when whet, cold, etc, etc. but on the pilothouse, where the majority of the weather is coming from the bow, you have the same windshield and forward house as everyone. i also run a heater in the fall, with the canvas down works like a charm, i actually have to turn it off sometimes :lol:

I never understood this separation issue spoke of with the cabin? There are three windows and you can leave the door open if you feel left out.

its really something you dont notice until youve done it bothways. again, personal preference, but the ability to open up the boat not only airs out the pilothouse better without having to open up windows, windshield etc, it also gives a totally unobstructed view of whats going on in the pit. an added advantage is, if youre trolling and say theres 4 guys in the pilothouse, helm, copilots, and two aft chairs, when a rod goes off the three guys not driving can all instantly dive through the back of the house, not wait for each other to go through the door

When the weather gets rough I like fiberglass over canvas to stop the wind, rain, ice etc...My door never leaks wind or water: D and with Rain-X I can always see nice and clear.

never had that issue at all. if the weather sucks, button down the canvas and its as tight as a drum.

Last but not least canvas is expensive and usually only lasts for 5 years or so before you replace it. Plastic windows SUCK and I have enough things to worry about without having to add zipper and snap lubing to my list.

our canvas is original with the boat (1995 vintage :shock: ) and has not needed to be replaced yet. we did replace the windows about 5 years ago, and they need to be replaced again, but its a fairly inexpensive job, or even something you can do yourself if youre handy with a sewing machine. but other than a small hole that we burnt into it with a generator the canvas is totally fine and will be for awhile

OK canvas back guys I know i'm asking for it so fire away

well, you did ask for it :lol:
[/quote]

 

[Dan Duda]

Greetings:
If you are going to keep and use the boat in Florida or other warm-to-hot climate areas, the open back will give you a lot more ventilation in the summer and will keep you comfortable with the drop-down curtain during the winter months. I've got a 2520 with twin 150s and the open back; I've been using it for 10 years in the Gulf and have been very satisfied with the open back.

Regards,

Dan

 

[B-Faithful]

we have both in my family. My father has the closed back and I have an open back cabin in another brand. I personally much prefer the open back with drop curtain (and level deck). It really gives the boat an "open" feel when the weather is fair and the drop curtains are rolled up (I actually leave them off through the summer and early fall). The closed cabin does give a bit of a feeling of seperation to those on the boat even with the door open. I also tend to get sick more in the enclosed back cabin. During the very cold weather, I actually think the canvas works better when fishing. I too have a propane heater and can leave all drop curtains down and it will get toasty in the wheelhouse area. The advantage to the curtains is that you can get in and out through a zipper being undone instead of leaving the door open during those sub freezing mornings or opening a door and locking to the back of the bulkhead when a fish is on while trolling. The open back does seem noticably cooler in the summer time too allowing more of a breeze. It would be like leaving two of my panels down in the summer in the closed back. I find with the open back and front and side windows open that there is no cooler place on the boat than in the shade of the wheelhouse.

Only downsides to the open back are having to replace and maintain canvas. To me it is a small price to pay and my canvas should last a long time given that it usually up only in the colder months. The other downside is that I do take my electronics display down and lock it in my v-berth. To me this is a non issue as it takes a second and I still have lockable storage in the vberth.

Personally the big thing is the ability to make the boat feel more "open". I personally prefer the open back. Of course that is why there is chocolate and vanilla.

Good luck with your decision.

in the cold

in the summer:

 

[MaxOut]

If I go open back this is it... :lol:

 

[greatcir]

On my 2120 pilothouse I wish there was a simple way to open the rear windows to get more breeze. Any one taken a shot at that?..........Pete

 

[Bryan 2530]

Rear opening windows would be nice.

 

[B-Faithful]

Steiger had a hybrid option of a hard back with drop windows:

http://www.steigercraft.com/main/pictur ... %20019.jpg

http://www.steigercraft.com/main/pictur ... %20027.jpg

Pretty cool layout too. I personally prefer what I have (hense my buying it) but thought it may be an easy modification to some of the parkers.

 

[Megabyte]

Greg, the links are broken.

 

[MaxOut]

A tiltout window like in full size van back doors would be nice. Maybe a couple of tinted ones?

 

[B-Faithful]

I fixed the links...

 

[Megabyte]

I fixed the links...

Hey... I like that design. 8)
If those hatches under the aft facing seats held plano boxes... bonus!

 

[tara11]

I love the door, I agree with Maxout, in the winter I am warm, and in the summer, we open all the windows and this summer we even opened the front windshields, and I love to have that padlock on the door, one of the main reasons for us to get the Pilot house, was the whole inside and out of the cold thing

 

[MaxOut]

Quote: MaxOut
I never understood this separation issue spoke of with the cabin? There are three windows and you can leave the door open if you feel left out.

Pelagic 2530
its really something you dont notice until youve done it bothways. again, personal preference, but the ability to open up the boat not only airs out the pilothouse better without having to open up windows, windshield etc, it also gives a totally unobstructed view of whats going on in the pit. an added advantage is, if youre trolling and say theres 4 guys in the pilothouse, helm, copilots, and two aft chairs, when a rod goes off the three guys not driving can all instantly dive through the back of the house, not wait for each other to go through the door

Maxout-
Try that when it's 10 degrees out and 3 guys fighting to get a frozen zipper or snap open as the fish is peeling line off and they tear through the canvas. :shock: Been there done that on the fly bridge of my Coastal Barracuda. One man’s sugar is another man’s salt. That what makes the world go round. :wink: Even if the canvas lasts for more than 5 years generally the windows start to look like crap and the stitching will rot. I have a pet peeve about dirty or obstructed views and isinglass drives me crazy. My parker is strictly my fishing machine and my theory is to Keep It Simple. No snags, No permanent obstructions in the cockpit, No bracket, No high maintenance items (canvas), No motor mods...Just a basic fisherman friendly boat as Parker designed it to be. Sure Parkers are great for touring around, skiing and other water related activities but for me it’s a fishing machine/tool.