18 SE vs 1801 cc

[babuluspiscans]

I'm a new Parker owner. I had the option of ordering a new 18se or taking a 2023 1801 cc. I was skeptical of the new liner construction used in the 18se. I went with the 1801. Fishing is my number 1 priority.

Anyone have a sense of where the company is headed? Are they going to be another Key West? I chose Parker because they are supposed to be rugged, no nonsense fishing boats. Are things changing?

 

[moklodge01]

They're still staying pretty no nonsense. New 18SE switched to no-wood, new hull with two strakes (hoping it's dryer now), inner liner, deeper gunwales, larger storage box in the bow and a higher console. It's less roomy now but a lot of improvements otherwise.

 

[pelagic2530]

I think you made the right choice.

Everything I’ve seen with the new two-piece Parker models has been a disappointment. I’ve yet to see any improvement over the old models with the new ones. You may end up with one of the most valuable 1801s that exists; the last ones before they were turned into garbage production boats.

 

[moklodge01]

Or the opposite. As a fan of the 1801, I don't see the new boat as Parker's demise. You're a bit dramatic.

 

[Efx]

I was on some new Parker’s at the west palm beach boat show. They have changed. From my first impression and a detailed walk through, they didn’t seem to have the robust construction of the past. Are they as durable as past model? Only time will tell. My gut and many years of working in boats inclines me to say the areas of the boats which take the most use and abuse will not last as long.

 

[Mr. Speeder]

Switching from 3 piece to 2 piece is a huge deal... I think you made the right choice.

 

[Longislandfish]

I was on some new Parker’s at the west palm beach boat show. They have changed. From my first impression and a detailed walk through, they didn’t seem to have the robust construction of the past. Are they as durable as past model? Only time will tell. My gut and many years of working in boats inclines me to say the areas of the boats which take the most use and abuse will not last as long.

Liner hull are inferior in every way, repairs are harder and space is reduced. Any top boat manufacturer who makes a well build hull isn’t doing so with a 2 pc design. Yes they can vacuum bag and use composite materials but the overall strength and quality imo comes from a flat deck with cap and grid stringer system with heavy glass schedule.

Parker’s manufactured now are for lack of a better word “garbage” keep your classic Parker it will be well regarded and cherished just as the seacrafts of the 70s. Reducing costs and maximizing profits never produces a better product. I’d rather rebuild a classic hull than buy into the “new” design and upgraded Parker’s. Anyone who understands boats and quality will appreciate a 3 piece boat with HD layup. I’d take a commercially finished boat any day of the week over a fancy interior of a liner hull. I’m partial but most will agree the new SE is junk

 

[babuluspiscans]

I've been very pleased with my 1801 so far. I've had her out in some nasty weather (just to see how she'd do) and I've had her out on some calm days. I have no complaints about how she does when it's rough. I'm surprised at how little water she drafts on calm days. She drafts like a light freshwater boat.

Installing the trolling motor and running the wires was pretty painless. I felt like I had easy access to most of the boat with the 2 piece construction. Maybe it won't be so easy for future SE owners.

But more than anything else, the dog likes it. He's been searching for the stripers. Sorry bud, they're not here quite yet. Any day now!