Tampa Bay Newbie - considering a Parker

[Reel Irie]

Hey everyone -- my name is Jason, I found my way over here from a post on The Hull Truth (see post below) looking for feedback or even a chance to check out someones Parker Sport Cabin in the Tampa Bay area

(my post copied from THT)
I have always been intrigued by the Pilot house type boats (Parker - Steiger Craft) for the type of fishing, diving, boating we do. With the addition of a baby girl this year (8 months old) the ability to have shade and a place for her to lay down has become important.

Most everything I read says the ride is not that great, but how bad is it? Boat will be used 50/50 for offshore trips and island days. Offshore trips usually will be 4 guys, 8 tanks, and 98% bottom fishing. Only interested in open back models like a Parker 2520 XLD or Steiger Craft 26DV Miami.

any experience or feedback is appreciated....

 

[Brent]

I have a 94 2320 and it rides smooth and dry but not a go fast guy unless it is flat and don't boat in bad weather and caught in it we feel safe and go slower

 

[MarkA]

I have a 2013 2320 and my wife would tell you it rides horrible. I don't think it's that bad, but then driving is different than riding. I does pound quite a bit in a short chop, but I think most boats under 25' will. I'm no speed demon either, I try to cruise at the most efficient rpm range which is 4100 and between 25 and 30mph in optimal conditions with a 2.8 to 3.0 gph burn. I've found that anything less than 8 seconds with 3' will be an uncomfortable ride and only allow me to run about 19-21mph dropping the burn to 1.4 - 1.9. That is in the open ocean and makes for a long ride if you are heading to a spot 30 miles out. In the sound, it will pound in a short chop when the wind is up or there is a lot of traffic.
All that said, I love the boat and would not give it up. The cabin is great and keeps me warm and dry no matter the conditions and the room in the cockpit make it a great fishing platform.

 

[Brent]

Does she need a new seat with a suspension?

 

[MarkA]

Does she need a new seat with a suspension?

That would probably help me out, the admiral, not so much. I had made the comment in another post that after running the boat for a couple years, I'd rather have another captains chair instead of the bench. I don't think that is an option though. That is part of the problem for the wife, that bench is not that comfortable and sitting sideways looking front is awkward. My regular buddy will sit facing front with his feet on berth cushions or just stand.

 

[Brent]

I have been married for over 35 years and still together. Just saying I would maket it happen in a heart beat and
Either replace the bench or other mod

 

[Brunot]

I have a 2014 2320 with a Yamaha 250 and love it. I have the captain seat with the suspension and it is great. I too wish that I did not have a bench seat but had another captains chair with the suspension.

I have a rear seat and my wife prefers to ride there.

Have had numerous boats in my time but totaly love the Parker.

Wish I lived closer ( live in Calif ) I would take you and your wife out for a test ride.

Bruno Tonin

 

[Megabyte]

I have a 1996, 2520 MVSC open-back with the (now discontinued) 14 degree hull and a single 225hp OX66 outboard.
Top speed in flat water is 34 knots at 5100 rpm. But... I rarely travel at WOT in my boat.

The 2520's now only come in two dead rise configurations, 16 degree (in the XL), or a 21 degree DV hull.
How the boat rides is always subject to a particular owners taste, how it is set up, and how fast you try to drive it in anything other than a flat sea.

I replaced the stock 12x12 tabs with a set of 24x9 Bennetts, and that made a huge difference in tuning my ride.
The Chesapeake Bay is subject to sharp short chop due to wind, tide, and water depth, but in the past 13 years of ownership I cannot complain about the ride. I adjust my speed to the conditions presented to me.

If you find that the boat is 'pounding', adjust your trim and/or your speed.
I have had occasion to have to transit some shallow open water directly into a 25 knot wind, and although it was a slow ride, I was able to keep the boat moving on plane at 9 knots using those tabs and motor trim.
It was a wet ride (thank goodness for the protection of the pilothouse), and it was slow, but I did not 'pound'.
If you are pounding, you are not doing the boat or your crew any favors.

These are wide beam, pilothouse fishing boats. They are not a deep-vee go-fast boat like a Regulator or a Contender.
If you want to go fast, a Parker isn't for you.
If you want to be protected from the elements, and enjoy a wide beam boat with lots of cockpit room, this might be your boat.

As always, your mileage may vary. :wink:

 

[THEGAME]

Hey guys I replace my bench seat long ago and it was the best thing the wife, nor the crew likes to sit side ways It was a good change.

 

[MarkA]

Phil - I'd love to hear some details on how you went about replacing that bench. What did you do with the storage under the bench, rip it all out?

 

[THEGAME]

mark i had the bench seat it was screwed in with some ss wood screws and i removed i put the helm seat in line with the captains seat and put a tackle center behind the port side helm seat