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Need to get the heat factor regarding the closed Pilot House Boat. Down here in South Florida like the idea of the pilot house however I'm concerned that it may be to hot cruising. If you keep all windows open and door open how hot does it get inside, does anyone use AC, please let me know what type and installation procedures. Friend with Walk Around has warned me that the Pilot will be to hot. Comments regarding this issue most welcome.
i toyed over the same thing...if it gets too hot on a W/A you can take the curtains off or role them up...if it gets too cold, you can enclose the walkaround. I do more fishing in the summer than winter so it made sense for me to have a W/A.
Not firshand experience, but I have been looking at Parkers for a while now for me. Your friend is probably on to something regarding the pilot house being hot in Florida; they are hot in NJ! That's probably why Steigercraft came out with their "Miami" . But you can order the Parker Pilot House boats with an open back/ canvas. I plan on doing that if I am lucky enought to buy a new Parker.
I don't know if its true but the dealer by me told me that the Walkarounds were more expensive than the pilot house versions due to the fact that Parker doesn't make the hard tops, which are "expensive." I kind of had the feeling the dealer didn't have any walkarounds on order, and that is why he told me that.
If you like the pilot house look/functionality better (I do), order it with the open back.
I was worried about the pilothouse being hot in the summer, but its no worse than a walkaround. On a rather hot humid day I was rafted up with a host of other boats including my brother's walkaround. I went on his boat assuming it would be cooler, but the shade of the pilothouse was definitely cooler than cooking in the sun. We would also hang a towel on the sunny side of the windows, and that together with keeping the windows open left the pilothouse cooler than the walkaround.
When the boat was sitting at the dock with all windows and doors closed, the heat would blast out upon opening the door the first time, similar to a car sitting in the sun, but out on the water, using a towel to increase the shade and keeping the windows open left me cooler than stting under the bimini on my brother's boat.
RE: 25' Parker pilot house or 25' walk arounrd Parker
I have very pleased with my 2320SL I have been in 95 degrees on Lake Murray outside Columbia SC. I had a 21 ProLine w/a up until the Parker and no doubt the Pilot house is cooler. If you get one make sure both front windows open.
You know there is a lot to say regarding high volume rotating fans. I think the main issue for having a pilot house is for dry conditions, not getting splashed in windy or harder days. The Pilot house you will enjoy going and coming from in a huge way. The lady's like it a lot and there is something to say about camping out on a wet boat or damp boat or having a nice comfortable bed to sleep on!!
JMO Good luck I am sure you will love either choice
Open the side windows, open the front window(s), open the Bowmar hatch, open the v-berth portholes, and open the rear canvas, and you'll have more ventillation than you can stand.
The models with the bulkhead and door should be no warmer than mine, but my access to the helm area from the cockpit is a little easier.
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Capt. Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~><((((*>
Get opening front and side windows and you will be set. It is much cooler in the shade than in the sun. I went with an extended hardtop pilot house for just that reason. An open back model ensures that you will have a cool breeze flowing through.
Heat in the summer on a pilot house for me has been a nonissue, the white fiberglass top reflects light and insulates better than a canvas top, especially a dark one. It's always cooler at the helm, crack open the widows and roll up the canvas or open the door whatever the case may be and let the breeze flow.
Seagull, sent you a PM,,,,,I have heard both arguements, I ended up with a 2310 WA for a variety of reasons,,,,,I am sure I would have been as happy with 2320, but I do like the versatility with the canvas. Keeps me warm and dry in NE early season in April and cool with breeze now in August. I really like Mega's boat above. If I had the $ and was going to do pilot house, that is how I woudl do it. My .02
I have a 2004 2520XL and have been out on several hot days. If the boat is sitting for an extended period with the windows closed, it is (as mentioned) similar to a car and hot when you open the door. But once the windows are open and the pilot house is aired out, it is always hotter in the cockpit than the pilot house. Usually, people will gravitate to the pilot house on a hot day. One very important suggestion given above is that you opt for both front windows to open. Opening all the windows, front hatch and the back door gives very adequate ventilation. The pilot house also gives you nice protection from the sun - which can be quite strong in South Florida. If the heat is particularly oppressive, all the ventilation you can muster will not be enough. Only an air conditioner will change that - which may even require a closed space.
My Osprey has an opening center window, two large opening side windows, a back window, and a rear door. Running with these open, the pilothouse feels relatively cool, and, as in drvan's comment above, passengers tend to come in out of the sun. I don't run with the forward hatch open -- too much of a chance of spray at speed in Chesapeake Bay -- but I open it when we're still. Having the boat move...even at a 2 knot troll...makes a difference, too.
I looked for a pilothouse when I was shopping around, but ended up with the WA. I'm very happy with it, you don't have a step down to deal with and you can easily get to the helm from the cockpit - meaning you don't need the remote steering station.
Of course, I live in NE, not FLA, so we don't have the heat you guys have, but we do have our weeks in the 90's. Opening the curtains really cools things off. And closing them on chilly days leaves you comfortable with just sweaters.
It's a different layout though, and you may not have as much cabin space. When the weather gets nasty, it's a squeeze to get everyone under cover in my boat - I don't think the pilot houses have that issue.
Six of one, half dozen of the other, either way you will love it.
RE: 25' Parker pilot house or 25' walk arounrd Parker
I live in Texas, so I know about the heat you have in Florida. I have a 2520 with the pilot house; I can tell you that you don't have to worry about it being hot. It will be the coolest place on the boat, and as mentioned above you will find that most people will migrate into the cabin when it gets hot. Don't worry about the hot, because it's not. Base your decision on which fits your needs best, either way you will be getting a great boat.
I bought the 2510 because of those exact concerns. But the open back/drop curtain looks to be a sweet set up.
I can tell you that when it is "africa hot" and you roll up the front curtains the 2510 is great. If you are cruising with the curtains open and under the shade of the hard top it can get chilly on the hottest of days.
I'm on my 7th season with my 2510 DV and I'm very pleased with it. We also fis into november 35miles off Maine. The front and side curtains make the ride pleasant in 30 degree weather.
RE: 25' Parker pilot house or 25' walk arounrd Parker
I'm from north florida and mostly fish the big bend. I have a friend that has a 25 pilot house that he keeps at his place on the Stenhatchee river. I have been on the boat and it is incredibly stable and roomy. It is very hot in the pilot house in the summer. He does not have the tip out front windows which he wishes he did. It is a great boat in the winter and in storms however. He has a cantilevered top from the back of the cabin over part of the cockpit which makes for a very nice place to fish and/or stay out of the rain/sun. This is a very popular option in the Steinhatchee/big bend area.
i only have a few hours on a 2320 enclosed ph. until you get it opened it will be hot, but once she is open and your moving. its like the biggest fan in the world.
25' Parker pilot house or 25' walk arounrd Parker 
