dave-j
Well-known member
All,
I finally got tired of bouncing around in my Eastern 22 and started researching for a replacement. I wanted three things. A drier ride for the kids' sake, an ability to handle heavier seas to go further offshore to chase tuna and look at whales, and still have a balance between full-on fishing machine and a family beach boat.
All of the above assumed a simple, no-nonsense center console platform that required minimum maintenance on cosmetic features. Oh, also, I'm "frugal", so the value had to be there.
The search came down to three boats. Jone Brothers 23 (not family friendly enough), a North Coast 23, and Parker 2300.
After looking at all three new boats, it was immediately clear that the Parker was the best of the best. I started searching for a used one and found one in North Carolina. Bought it sight unseen (except for pictures), had a mechanic check out the engine, and had it shipped up to Massachusetts.
I've now had it for a few weeks and love it! Dale emailed me during my search and used the term "beast" to describe the 23DVCC. It was an absolutely accurate description. The thing plows through waves that I would be soaked in my Eastern. I would describe my Eastern as a sports car and the Parker as an SUV.
Finding this forum was a huge help in my pre-purchase reasearch process.
Will post pictures as soon as I can!
Dave
I finally got tired of bouncing around in my Eastern 22 and started researching for a replacement. I wanted three things. A drier ride for the kids' sake, an ability to handle heavier seas to go further offshore to chase tuna and look at whales, and still have a balance between full-on fishing machine and a family beach boat.
All of the above assumed a simple, no-nonsense center console platform that required minimum maintenance on cosmetic features. Oh, also, I'm "frugal", so the value had to be there.
The search came down to three boats. Jone Brothers 23 (not family friendly enough), a North Coast 23, and Parker 2300.
After looking at all three new boats, it was immediately clear that the Parker was the best of the best. I started searching for a used one and found one in North Carolina. Bought it sight unseen (except for pictures), had a mechanic check out the engine, and had it shipped up to Massachusetts.
I've now had it for a few weeks and love it! Dale emailed me during my search and used the term "beast" to describe the 23DVCC. It was an absolutely accurate description. The thing plows through waves that I would be soaked in my Eastern. I would describe my Eastern as a sports car and the Parker as an SUV.
Finding this forum was a huge help in my pre-purchase reasearch process.
Will post pictures as soon as I can!
Dave