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Random Quote: I can't undo what GOD has done( one of my teachers)
Well guys, I finally did it. It's official. I went over to Don's Marine in Tiverton today and gave them my $6K deposit for a new 2005 Parker 2310WA. Here's the poop:
F250 (still not out to the public - I'm a little worried)
Full transom
Hardtop
Enclosure
Windlass
Raw water wash
Fresh water wash
2 wipers
2 spreaders
Cockpit coaming pads
No galley pak (may use Coleman propane stove on the transom for the dogs and burgers)
No rocket launcher (may use the CE Smith clamp ons)
No Armstrong dive ladder (prefer the telescoping type ladder like on Grady White platform)
A few nits. Parker has packaged the front, side, and rear curtain into a take all or nothing package. I didn't want their rear curtain because it zippers up the middle instead of having a center panel of about 30" width and a zipper on each side. That way you can roll up just the middle section and leave the 2 corner sections in place. I was planning on not opting for the rear curtain as last year it was priced separately. That way, I'd have the rear curtain custom made exactly as I wanted it. Oh well....
The other nit is the location of the trim tab switches and the windlass switch. Absolutely
backwards. Normal driving is with your left hand on the wheel and right hand on the throttle. Now, when underway, you are always playing with the tabs. So with your left hand on the wheel, the natural place for the trim tab switches would be to the right of the wheel next to the throttle. But alas, Parker puts the trim switches on the left side of the wheel, and the windlass switch on the right side of the wheel. I'll try and swap their
locations after I get the boat.
Otherwise, that's it. I won't take delivery until April 1, 2005. I guess Parker is going to start charging a surcharge for the increase in the cost of gelcoat on boats ordered after
the end of this year.
Parker will mount the Yamaha 704 control 1" to the right of their standard location. Don's Marine will mount the Yammy digi tach and speed one over the other just to the left of the
binnacle. And they will mount the compass on the right side of the top ledge just over the Yammy gages. That will leave me some respectable room for the displays. Planning
on a Ray C-120 for radar and GPS chart on the top where the compass is usually mounted. A Ray L770D 7" FF will fit nicely just above the wheel and to the left. I'm holding out room for possible Ray 4.5" x 4.5" SmartPilot display to the right of the FF.
I want overlay so I'd need either a heading sensor or fluxgate. I believe that the fluxgate comes with the SmartPilot, so for a few hundred $$$ more, I get to dial in the course and watch my toy respond. For the VHF, it will probably be a Standard Horizon Quantum with Shakespear 8' Galaxy. Also considering the EPIRB, and my sons want a life raft package on top of the hardtop. Uggg, $$$$$$$.
The radar will be the 4KW dome package. No open array. If somebody wants to find birds, I'll give them a set of binoculars. Would love to try a pr. of those image stabilized
binos. And a question here. On the mounting of the radome on top of the hardtop, should I buy one of those mounts that is like a 12" pedestal mount? Or mount it directly to the hardtop? Added height helps any electronic transmission and reception. I guess bridge clearance would be a concern both on the water and when trailering.
That's about it. I'll bet that my boat gets one of the first F250s. 8^( 8^( Not much I could do. I even asked Robin if they would put a Zuke DF250 on it. You know what the answer was..... I do want a 4-stroke. We do a lot of slow trolling and drift fishing.
And the F225 just seemed like it was working hard getting on plane - plus once you add
the hardtop and curtains and bottom paint, 4 - 200# people, and 150 gal of fuel, they take their cumulative toll on the speeds.
Thanks Capt. I've checked it out and like the 5" forward leaning Power Tower Plus.
The Plus model has the light mount to the rear and above the radome. Steiger uses something like these a lot on his pilothouses. I also have seen that the GPS can be mounted on the same bracket as the light, but I don't see this here. They mention a 'V' bracket, but Steiger doesn't use a 'V' bracket, but instead has the GPS just mounted on the light bracket in back and above the radome. Cleaner installation and you don't have to mount the GPS on the hardtop at some other location.
All the best, custom designing the boat the want you want it, with the toys you want in it is half the fun. By the way, I totaly agree re you comments visa vie the trim tab switch position it is not only inconvieniant but potentially bloody dangerous in tough conditions.
I would get the factory to swap it over at there cost prior to delivery, one of the the reasons you use the trim tab is to correct the bow angle to stop the boat from slamming and at that precise moment they expect you to let go of the steering wheel.
I told the salsman at Don's Marine - Tom Grimes, (great people at Don's Marine) that the tab location was a safety issue. Here you are in rough water keeping the boat in control with the steering, and you have to get the tabs down to make the boat more stable, and you have to cross over the wheel with your right hand to get the tabs on the left side. Either that or switch hands on the wheel. The Parker pilothouses also have the tabs on the left side of the wheel. I sent e-mail to Robin and told her my 'disappointment' in the situations that I described above. The Parkers are a well built boat. I will feel very safe and comfortable in it with my family. But there are some things that they can and should do to make a great boat better. Tom told me that he would bring up the issue with engineers at the upcomming dealers meeting in NC. Like I said, the folks at Don's Marine are great. I trust them and I trust the Parker boats. Remember, everything in life is a compromise. If some of us had waited for what we imagined was the perfect wife, we might never have gotten marrried. But this Parker 2310 is as close to being what I wanted as I could find over a period of a couple of years. The things that are not exactly right, I can probably re-do myself when I get the boat.
hey stan. I went with the Ray RL70crc & RL70c both working off a 2kw dome on a 5" scanstrut.
I also take delivery of my boat April 1st. Might put it off till the 2nd. You know, that April Fool thing.
Also went for the TR-1 auto and a Furuno GP-32(backup gps) I went ICOM 502 for my VHF.
Congrats on the new boat. I'll let you know how mine turns out.
Congrats - it will seem like April will never get here!
Since the dealer installed my tabs, I got to say where the switch went - I put it just above the binnacle control and the factory put the windlass control just above the key switch.
Can you request that the tab switch not be installed at the factory and let Don's install it where you want it - just like with the Yam gauges?
Stanooch, congratulations on the new Parker!! As a former Parker owner, I know you'll love her. The 23 fishes like a much bigger boat. Enjoy.
The trim tab switch has been on the left side of the wheel on every boat I've ever owned. With today's hydraulic steering and throttle controls, you can actually let go of either one and they will stay there, at least for a little while. If the throttle is adjusted properly, it will or should stay put when you let go of it. The wheel will hold a straight course for at least 20-30 seconds, even with the singe motor. When I'm trolling, I usually let go of the wheel, walk up front, get a drink, look around, whatever, and the hydraulic steering stays almost exactly as I left it. Running at speed is a different story obviously, but it won't or shouldn't be a problem for you to switch hands. Then you just let go of the throttle, put your right hand on the wheel and adjust the tabs with your left hand. Just like anything else that is new to us, in time it will become second nature.
__________________
2006 Pursuit 3480 Drummond Island Sportfish
F250 Yamaha's
Thanks guys. None of these things are show stoppers. The Parker had all of the really important criteria that I wanted. These other things are things that I can well deal with at some point. Parker-at-the-bar even made a good point.
In the meantime, before April 1st - or 2nd, my wife and I will move out of the house we have lived in for 35 years and into the new house in southern RI. So we have lots to do
while Parker is buiding our retirement boat.
Nooch, congrats on a great boat - I'm looking at that model myself. Any pics? Also, if I could be so bold, how much was the buy in for the basic package?
I got my Striper at Don's, and have been very happy with their service. Trim tab switch is also on the left on mine. Got used to it, and it hasn't been a problem.
Nooch & I have conversed quite a bit prior to & since his purchase. It's really a great, no frills multi purpose boat.* It does many things very well.*
The definition of "basic package" varies, but you are likely looking at mid $50's, depending upon options, etc.
There are several used ones listed on Yachtworld.com that you may want to look at as well - even if you want a new boat, you can see how others have rigged thiers.*
The tabs are on the right in my 2120, and I didn't say a thing to them about it beforehand. They left the entire left side of my helm open for me and it made it a breeze for radio, ff, etc. I was pleased with the layout. Wonder why they have such varied layouts?
Congratulations...every bad weather day I wish I had the 23w/a. Consider letting Parker keep the Lencos, and install Bennett 12x24's. You'll get free planing surface which this heavy boat needs, much more responsive, and the controls where you need them.
Congratulations on the new Parker! Waiting for spring is going to be difficult...
I'd love to hear about your impression of that F250 once you get to use her a bit.
I know that the helm area is different between the WA and the SC, but you can see in this photo that my trim tab switches are to the right of my wheel near the binnicle.
I'll second the suggestion on the switch to larger trim tabs. I removed the 12x12 BoatLevelers that came on my boat, and replaced them with 24x9 Bennetts on my MVSC. Its one of the best things I've done to it!
Congratulations and good luck!
__________________ .
Capt. Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~><((((*>
I have no problem with my right throttle left tabs.
Remember that you are not flying a high performance jet in a dogfight. Your main concern is to to get the boat trimmed nicely then stop fiddling with it and steer a straight line. Once you have compensated for the sea state and load, quit fiddling with your trim. Besides, the main nose up nose down adjustments you will be making are on the engine trim anyway which is mounted on the throttle.
Think engine trim when controlling pitch, Trim tabs for roll #1, pitch#2. Obviously they complement each other but for minute, on the fly, pitch adjustments, I use my thumb on the throttle.
One more note on Hydraulic tabs if you have not used them...The response is not "instant." Quick touch - observe response. Another quick touch. Again. My Dad was impatient and heavy handed when he first started getting the feel for the tabs and he had the boat listing all over till he got used to it.
Oh yeah, and once you have the boat trimmed perfect, tell your fat brother in law to stop wandering around! That can drive you CRAZY!
Congrats on the new Parker. As you can see from my signature, I have the 2510. Parker puts the 12"x12" Lenco tabs on the 25' hull also. I agree with Kevin--tell Parker to drop the tabs, and put on larger Bennetts.
I have a Raymarine 4kw dome mounted directly to the front-center of the hardtop. Works great. I put my Raymarine GPS antenna on a 24" fiberglass extension rod to get it up and out of the way of the radar beam. Supposedly, GPS receivers, don't like to be painted with the radar pulse over a long period of time--causes them to fail.
Pulled the trigger today - finally 
