I would not consider this guy nuts at all like most people did. I have the same boat, a 21SE. I have made the crossing to the Bahamas 100s of times, 60 miles. A Parker is like a tank, bathtub or whatever you want to call it. Anyone here ever been in a major storm in a 21 Parker? Ever had the unfortunate 30 mile winds pop up and seen white water all around the boat? If you have you would know that when you hit a wave in this boat the bow just pops up, I have never had a wave come over the bow. There has been the occasional time that the bow did slide down a wave making the boat turn, but to much weight up front caused this. It’s not like anyone plans on the weather changing like it does sometimes. But I have had the joy of watching a 30ft open fishermen with big twins pull up to me near Orange Cay and ask “where can I buy fuel around here?” I had to tell them to drift north over night and then they could make it to the fuel dock. For those who don’t know, there’s no fuel for at least 70 miles in any direction. I know it sounds nutty and all, but growing up out there this just doesn’t seem to bother me. In my older age I must say that it dang sure wears on me though, so I am in the market for a steal on a 2520. I plan on keeping my 21 for my son, reason being it’s a safe boat.
It was just an engine problem. They were able to handle their business. Today more and more I see guys knocking others about not running a larger boat with twin outboards or even triples. Before the GPS and all the electronics most of the people on the water today would not go out of sight of land. And that being said most of them couldn’t make a trip without these electronics, want to show some seamanship? Just use your compass for your next trip to the Islands or wherever your fishing grounds are. Last summer I had some business to do in Nassau so I took my boat. I then told my daughter who was 13 to look a chart over with me then figure out what headings to take. She got it all written down and off we went. She got us there in 5 hours, didn’t miss a beat….