[pboettinger]

Just returned from the Baltimore Boat Show and have interest in three boats. The Parker 2510 XLD Walkaround, the May-Craft 2700 Pilot XL, and the Judge 27 Chesapeake. I run out of the Severn am looking for a boat that can serve my fishing needs, trips across (and up and down the bay) in typical chop and an occasional overnight trip. I want something that can get me out of the weather, bcasue I like to fish early and late in the season, and my current center console does not meet my needs. Do not plan to trailer any of these boats as we have a slip in Saltworks Creek. I would like to get a pair of Yamahas, but see Judge does not offer this as an option. In your opinion, which of these three boats is the best best value, is the most durable and provides the smoothest ride in our bays chop? Thanks for your input! Any other recommendations are also welcome...

Pete

 

[smellslikefish]

All are fine boats but if I where staying in the bay, I would not go with twins.......Might take some time, but you can bet gas will be on the rise in the future.

 

[Baldzilla 2.0]

3 seconds before B Faithful chimes in with Judge...3...2....

Seriously though, I have been looking for what seems like 9 years now even though it is only a few months and at first I started looking at all 3...I ruled parker out a few months ago due to the fact that personally, I like the open design of the Judge and the Maycraft. I do not want the closed off pilot house. The feel of a walk around (which I have had for 10 years) with the comfort of the Pilot House.

Judge is local to here, which is nice, May Craft is Local to where I'm from...Judge has no wood which is a selling feature to me and a lot of people. I toured the maycraft facility and am completely confident in their construction though so wood should not be a concern if you properly maintain it. Maycraft will also work with you and make a semi custom boat also. The quote I have on the 2550 is with many personalized options that I liked in the Judge that Maycraft did not offer but will put in for me.

The Judge 27 is only a little bigger than the maycraft 2550, but is finished 100 times nicer. The Maycraft 27 is a larger boat than the Judge 27 but you cannot get it without Twins that I have ever seen... Plus the Judge 27 is a good $15K or more cheaper with the same options than the 27. The correct comparison would be to compare the 2550 Pilot house to the 27 Chesapeake.

Also, Granpafish Jr just bout a 27 foot maycraft and I'm sure he'll have some good insight. It is a beautiful boat and if I could find one like he found used, that would be my boat.

Right now, if I had my druthers and could sell my boat, My vote is for Judge, but you may see me toolling around in a 2550 Maycraft soon if I can't sell my boat because I am just too damn impatient to wait and Judge cannot do trades which my Maycraft dealer will! That being said, I'll be very happy with either, and I bet you will too...

Greg owned both and I have no doubt he will post, if he has not already while I am typing this, but he ultimately went with the Judge too. Good luck with the decision and let us know what you decide! I have done a TON of research, have ridden multiple times on both boats, and if you want any more info let me know
Mark
PS Pete, enable your PMs

 

[MIKE BURGESS]

Here we go

 

[wmorgan]

Just like Staples says- "That was Easy".

Parker

I bet $2000 Alex that B-Faithful's answer is longer than mine!

 

[Tawn]

Talking with Ron from Tri-State yesterday at the Baltimore show about the Pilot House Parkers - he told me you can get any Parker pilothouse model without the aft bulkhead on the pilothose - It would come with full canvas/Isingglass across the back which is removable of course during the summer months.

 

[JFP123]

Just like Staples says- "That was Easy".

Parker

:thumbup:

Also did I read correctly a 27 Judge is 15K less than a 27 MC? How can that be?

 

[joebass3]

:thumbup:

Also did I read correctly a 27 Judge is 15K less than a 27 MC? How can that be?

The 27 Maycraft is a bigger boat. A full 27 ft. long and 9 1/2 ft. wide. Plus it has twins.

 

[Lone Ranger]

Just like Staples says- "That was Easy".

Parker

I bet $2000 Alex that B-Faithful's answer is longer than mine!

I'm with Wayne,Parker!!Just get the New 34 ,It has twins.

 

[iFishMD]

Easy one hereowned Maycraft and fished several parkers)

Judge

1. No wood/made of the best materials
2. Best looking
3. Factory direct and locally made
4. Most fuel efficient
5. Best options and built to your wants
6. Best resale (look for used ones)
7. Best layout (extended top, level deck to helm, open back)
8. Easily trailered so you aren't locked in the annapolis area and aren't marina dependent for service.

I live by Sandy point st park and don't winterize my boat. Come for a ride and see the boat.

 

[florioflatulance]

No Way. I just logged on to post this exact same thread. My concern is that Parker only offered a $2500 discount while a better deal can be struck on the Maycraft. I have seen all the positive posts on Judge but am really not aware of their pricing. Please keep your posts coming!! All seem to be nice boats but what about ride quality???

That 24 Osprey was nice.

 

[iFishMD]

The 27 Judge is less money than the balt boat show specials for both the 24 Osprey and Parker 2520XL

Judge is having an open house soon and I am sure they will offer specials on their pricing there. See here for info http://www.judgeyachts.com

If you want to see a dirty but well loaded 27 Judge, shoot me an email or pm. It is in my driveway awaiting a day above freezing when I am around to wash it.

 

[SommerTime]

I have a Parker 2520XL and have twin 150 Yamahas. I love the twin engines since I can turn off one of the engines when trolling and that allows me to get my trolling speed down to where I want it and it is then only taking gas through a straw. I love the twin engines and highly recommend getting twins. However, the downfall is that the maintenance will be for two engines.

Regardless of which hull you get, I recommend twin engines.

 

[Coan Ranger]

Selection of the power plant(s) will prove to be the most critical factor to your future enjoyment. I have a Volvo diesel in my Evans 25 purchased new in 2005. This is a semi-custom boat built in Chrisfield. Fuel consumption is incredibly low. Six GPH at cruise 24 knots and less than two GPH trolling. Top speed 30 knots. No maintenance problems in 3+ years heavy use. Unless you are dealing from a bottomless pit of money, fuel cost and maintenance will be factors in future enjoyment of your boat. I've had boats for 45 years and the diesel has proven to be the best alternative for me. Pick which best suits your needs.

 

[JimRockfish]

Selection of the power plant(s) will prove to be the most critical factor to your future enjoyment. I have a Volvo diesel in my Evans 25 purchased new in 2005. This is a semi-custom boat built in Chrisfield. Fuel consumption is incredibly low. Six GPH at cruise 24 knots and less than two GPH trolling. Top speed 30 knots. No maintenance problems in 3+ years heavy use. Unless you are dealing from a bottomless pit of money, fuel cost and maintenance will be factors in future enjoyment of your boat. I've had boats for 45 years and the diesel has proven to be the best alternative for me. Pick which best suits your needs.

Does anyone know if Judge, Parker or Maycraft offer diesel power?

 

[Widgeon]

On the judge website it looks like you can get twins or a diesel.

 

[ray22]

Judge offers diesel power, and will put Yamys on the back. I was at the Judge factory last week and they are offering boats with huge discounts to fill production slots. They were selling 2 27's when I was there.

As for twins, IMO, bay fishing, that style of boat, waste of money.

Ray

 

[TerpHeels]

Simple, whichever 1 was built in Carolina.

 

[Ida Mae]

you can get a 25 Maycraft from Eds Marina in Ashburn Va for 48,000....and you cant beat his price .....can you Bad Habit:thumbup:Its all personnal preference and how deep your wallet can go....I love my Maycraft:yes:

 

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Another issue to look at is what options you want on it. By the time you get the maycraft 2550 up to speed with all the same options as the Judge, the price difference is not all that much. Believe me, I have had quotes from nearly every dealer on the east coast, priced the boat the exact same with all options, and for me it always comes back to the Judge. Judge offers many more options standard and most of the Maycraft dealers nickel and dime you to add options. Judge options are all high end,, the best of the best. And as Greg also said, the finish is a lot nicer than the Maycraft but either boat is great.

I love both boats and will be happy with which ever one I get, but if I can work a deal out on selling my boat before my ADD gets the best of me, I'll own a Judge. If not, I'll own a maycraft, and you will not hear a complaint out of me either way. To add Parker in the Mix, I cant say a bad word about them. They are awesome boats but for me, the enclosed pilot house is a deal breaker. That is solely personal preference. I have many friends with Parkers and love fishing on them, and when I'm not the Captain, I love the enclosed PH, it is just when it is my boat to run I didnt want to have it.

Good luck and let us all know what you decide.
Mark

PS The best and most in dept review of either boat I've read is on thehulltruth.com by our own Greg, B-Faithful. Go over there and do a search and read it, he put a lot of time into it and it had good info you are looking for.