What Parker is best?

[TimeFlies]

Well, after seeing all of the Parkers down at Harker's Island and the CBBT, I've really been thinking about making a switch to a Parker. I currently have a '92 Mako 221 (it's 22'8") which has been a great boat, but I really like the Parker boats. What would you reccomend for fly fishing - the 23 (SE or other model...)? Based on some of the pics I've seen (Wild Bill, Brandon, etc) most guys don't have any bow storage, T-top or any other clutter. Looks like that maybe the way to go. Starting to work on the wife, but the move might still be a bit away. My only reservation about the Parker are my 3 yound children - fishing boats and seating for kids don't mix too well. Thanks for the help.

[paxfish]

Actually - CC's have been great while raising my boys - they sit up front, fully protected and easy to keep an eye on. Either on the console seat, a cooler or a towable tube. Works great.

I have the 21SE and it's the perfect boat for me. Storage is not an issue. As a fly fisherman, you find yourself taking less and less gear over time, and soon you realize that all that storage was just an enabler. 75% of that crap never gets used.

23SE is nice too, but it's about 700 pounds more, bigger trailer, more fuel etc, and likely you'll want a 3/4 ton or heavy half pu to haul it. If I did more offshore, I'd consider it.

[Chris Newsome]

You may also find the Jones Brothers 23' Cape Fisherman to your liking. Compare it to the Parker SE and see what you think.

Chris

[Wild Bill]

You already have a 23' boat. I would not go backwards in size. I started with an 18' Parker and for the size it felt like a bigger boat, and then got a 21' which gave me a lot more boat. The 21' can fish anywhere the 23' does. The 23' is faster and drier in the same seas. It has a sharper bow entry, more weight and the two foot additional length. Richie Gaines gets a new 23' each year. He told me I would notice as much difference moving from the 21' to 23' as I did from the 18' to 21'. He was right. Many times you get a better ride by giving it some tabs and more power. Richie's 23' is for sale.

The 23' can easily be can be towed with a 1/2 ton truck without any problems. You will not have blistering acceleration but it does just fine. I tow mine about 10,000 miles per year with a half ton Sub.

The 23' Jones is sweet too.

BTW, the bow rail would be in the way for fly fishing. You could still do it. I see some guys fish through what looks like a picket fence on their boats, but it is not ideal. The bow of the 23' is pretty deep and there is little danger of falling over. Guys can fall out the stern of most center consoles, but either they are careless, impaired or the captain applies power too abruptly without warning or looking to see where the guys are.

The only disadvantage I see to the 23' over the 21' is that is costs more.

[Capt. Matt]

I've run a 21 Parker for my business for the last 4.5 yrs. (had an 18 Parker for about 5yrs. prior) and its a great boat, plenty of room and good ride. The 23 is a better choice but down sides are mentioned above and the fact that retail will run you about $10k more than the 21. The Jones brothers as mentioned is a fine choice and they ride exceptionally well, little better than the Parker, only downside from my experiece with them is they draw more water (important if your a shallow water fisherman) and the have a prononced side to side roll when at rest/drifting due to the sharper Vee compared to the Parker and walking side to side you really notice it.

[paxfish]

Here is a nice rail option. It gives your guests something to hold on to, lots of options to tie off an anchor or drift sock, and is out of the way when you're fishing.

[Salmo trutta]

I hate the fact that they don't have any storage, built with wood and did I say they don't have any storage? Can't lock your rods out of the way, can't store your gear properly. No lockers,

I prefer boats like sea pros, mako, whaler, triton, or even bass boats. Gosh those things are made with the fishermen inmind. You won't be taking one offshore too often but when you're fly fishing in little wind, like when we all mostly go out, you're good to go.

[Wild Bill]

ST-

Other than my stripping barrels you will not see anything on the deck of my Parker. The 23' has a huge sport console. You just have to learn how to use all that storage space. Even my drink and food cooler for my stuff and my buds is in the console and easily accessible with the lift of the front lid. The electronics cabinet on the 23' also holds lots of stuff besides electronics.

I personally do not like boats with a lot of built in stuff. It is never the way I want it to be. I once fished on a boat with built in horizontal fly rod holders. In three days we broke five rods in those things.

Parkers are not for everyone. They are very plain Jane boats and I really like that. If you want lots of compartments, gadgets and glitz, there are plenty of boats you can buy. If you want a clear deck big enough to hold a dance, the Parker gives you that.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There are certainly fancier boats but the Parker is elegant from a functional point. I hope not too many guys buy Parkers. It drives up the demand and price.

Fly fishing boats should be clean, lean and mean.



Now if you want a fully enhanced Parker, they offer a model they call the Fly Fishermen's Worst Nightmare Edition

[Salmo trutta]

Hope too many guys don't buy parkers...??!! Too late for that. They are everywhere with the fly fishing world. That Kent Narrows CCA light tackle tournament was ALL parkers it seemed. I'm sure Harkers is too.

I heard 10 years ago before the fly fishing craze set in, parkers were nothing more than watermen's boats and were dirt cheap in comparison. Something happened in the last 10 years to send their prices sky rocketing.

I like them but part of me doesn't. Mostly the money part.

[Wild Bill]

ST-

One plus on the money aspect is resale value. I bought a 21' in 2000 for $27,000, ran it many hours for four years and sold it for $25,000 cash without advertising. Like everything else, they have gone up since 2000. Try that with many other makes of boats.

There is a reason many fly and light tackle guides run Parkers.

Bob Filger runs a boat brokerage business and he tells me that Parkers are one of the boats that really hold their value along with Regulator and a few others.

I first started looking at them in Chrisfield when the were called Souwesters. The 23 and 25 were popular crabbing boats with the comms. Parker realized the comm market was shrinking and made a few changes and started targeting the rec market. It was the right move.

I liked the old Makos. A 19' Classic was my first serious fishing boat in 1970. I sold it in 1973 when career demands precluded me from using it much. I doubt they are of the same quality now that Tracker Marine is making them.

Fortunately there are many makes to choose from today.