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I am looking to buy my next walleye boat. I am really struggling with the decision of going with a Hard Top or Open. I really like the Parker Sport Cabin and the Ranger FS621. I'm an outboard guy! I know they are worlds apart but I can not seem to pick one. One day I'm going with the Parker, the next I'm going with the Ranger.
Does anyone have any opinions or knowledge of the two boats pros and cons?
I am sure you'll get several different opinions on this one...but ultimately it's up to you and what fits you the best. My first question is how do plan on using the boat? Will it be a Lk. Erie "only" boat? Or will you be trailering to other lakes? Inland lakes? I've owned several boats and if I asked myself that same question...is it a Lk Erie only boat...and the answer is yes! Then there would NOT be a question for me. Hard Top Parker hands down over a Ranger. Now, if there is any chance it may be used elsewhere...then I could start to lean towards the Ranger.
I am sure there will be several that will disagree with me here but just my opinion and personal experience. I've owned open style walleye boats...not a boat for me on Erie.
I like hard tops, or at least enclosures. It's nice to stay dry when rough water or rain, stay out of the wind when cold in early or late season, a lot of parkers have full enclosure so they can help keep the bugs out of those days too. But I'm sure the enclosure will be warm. One down fall to hardtops can be clearance issue under some bridges.
Hard top make great mounts for rod holders, radar, big board motors or reels, lights, etc
^^^^^ Exactly what he said, and i'd be sure to try to get out in each model, before i committed and pulled the trigger. I love my hard-top, but it stays on Lake Erie, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eriegardless
The only thing the Parker will do better than the 621 is offering you a cabin and a head. The 621 will fish circles around the Parker, but it is a hardcore fishing machine. I usually fish 2-3 people and it is almost effortless in the 621. It is built for one thing, no compromise big water fishing, and it delivers. My wife would have taken the Parker, but she absolutely loves the Ranger now she has fished from it. Mine has IPilot and Lowrance Outboard pilot, all I have to do all day is launch,retrieve and reel. Don’t underestimate the speed, I find myself much more willing to make those lung runs to get to the fish. Never thought I needed 60 mph, but I sure do now. It has an unbelievable dry ride, much better than my Grady White. It isn’t G/W quality, but it is a solid built boat.
Good luck in your search,
Gradyfish
So a 621 will catch more fish? Didn't know the fish had a brand of boat they would rather get caught by. Hahaha
Sorry...had too...lolol
Been fishing Lake Erie for 40 years, hardtop all the way!!
Guess some guys can’t respect an opinion that isn’t the same as theirs. And for the record I never said it would catch more fish, you did.
Sorry but I had too also...Lol
Grady
Wow....it was not a knock at your opinion...it was a joke because your boat will fish circles around most of us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gradyfish
And so you know...just in case you didn't read my first post..."who" acknowledged the fact there will be opinions? "who" even said there will be several that will disagree with my opinion...it isn't a slam at your boat. Your boat is your choice...not mine...not any one else's.
What I meant by “fishing circles around” was its ability to troll, maneuverability around the reefs and humps for jigging, the ability to fish the D river for walleye and musky jigging, the ability to run to Pelee and smallmouth fish. The OP never specified trolling only. These are the reasons multi-species boats are so popular. If all I did was troll the open water than my choice might be different.
I am fine with joking, but implying that I said my boat catches more fish rubbed me wrong. I was also trying to give the OP a honest opinion.
Grady
Relax...it was just a joke. :) Just cutting up some...
And to be honest....we pretty much said the same thing! Like I said....Erie only would be one choice but if fishing multiple areas then I'd lean to Ranger style. It's really about how you'll "think" you'll use it. I know in the past I've made the mistake of "thinking" I'll use the boat one way but never did. Purchasing a walleye style boat but found myself fishing Erie only...thus making the wrong decision for me and how I was using the boat at the time.
Thanks for the comments. I cant believe this decision is so difficult. I only want to buy one more boat in my life and it seems impossible to make up my mind.
It's not an easy decision and you'll happier in the end that you are putting in your homework now.
Tell us how you "think" you'll use it? I say "think" cause I've found that how I thought I was going to use it was not necessarily the case. For me now, it's easier....Erie Only!
This will most likely be an Erie only boat. I still plan on trailering it home every time, and I like to have the option of going somewhere else if I decide. Either boat will trailer fine, but not sure how the parker would do on smaller bodies of water if I rarely decide to go.
Oh...thats tough. Now I feel your struggle. I've been there...exactly there.
In the past I thought that I may use it somewhere else but never really did. I trailered it like you are thinking. Now I just leave the boat at Erie year round and love it.
You'll really need to figure out how you really will use it. That should lead you to your answer.
Have you fished Erie before?
Oh yea, I fish Erie like a mad man! Mostly west of the islands, around the cans, & just west of sister. I also fish Erie in PA too, but that is a trailer day.
A couple things I did not see anyone mention. Towing a hardtop uses ALOT more gas. You have to be more aware of bridge heights/low hanging trees etc if you plan on towing to inland/other waters.
Most, troll with the wind. Which in bad weather a HT helps the driver/front seat passenger most times. But everyone else is still in the "sh*t when trolling. And if you are fishing, you are going to get wet in nasty weather. And once the cabin gets full of bugs. The bugs don't blow out like only having a windshield.
IMO, long runs in a Ranger are more comfortable than in a larger/longer HT boat.
I will say loading a 621 on the trailer is one of the hardest multispecies boats I have ever had to load at some ramps. Comparing similar length/rigged boats. A 23ft HT Sportcraft is a tad easier to load. Most ramps are not bad. Use a steep ramp like Elizabeth park on the Detroit river. You best know what you need to do to get one on the trailer.
BUT, a HT you typically get a bathroom. That can be the biggest plus to some if you know what I mean. Using a livewell/baitwell doesn't cut it for alot of folks.
The OP didn't mention/compare using a bimini top.
So do you require a bathroom. Question answered for most.
i really enjoy my 23 excel! it has the best of both worlds. open top if i would like it be (which i don't i always have the bimini top up because that sun will crush your soul some days!) and i get a cabin for storage and has a head. it's mostly a fishing boat but has a few amenities that i like. i can trailer anywhere without worrying about height or crushing a lot of gas. maybe you should think about getting a "hybrid" boat. you can find some that have the best of both worlds. something to chew on maybe.
Good points have been brought up, my wife had some of the same concerns. So I addressed her concerns. Plus ain’t no one dropping one in my livewell. No need to overthink these things, IMO!
If I needed to make sure my wife and daughter had a place to go potty to make it so they could and would go out fishing with me I would make sure it happened.
Nothing like family time out on the waters of lake Erie pulling in eyes, perch, or anything else that comes along. Those are good times and memories right there. I would gladly give up some of the pluses on boat might to make that happen
The Parker is a great boat had a 2320 the pilot house is cool on hot days (open all windows and rear door) it's a shallow draft boat easy to tow. I had a kicker with wireless steering trolled reefs real easy, on wet cold days the cabin was the bomb. I don't have experience with walleye style boats (Ranger ect) I did own a CC with a hard top never again I can only speak for the Parker . I would recommend a 225hp min on a 23' sea trialed a 23' with 200hp not enough for me. So many choices so little time lol
I used to have a Tracker 20' and now have a 25' Sportscraft. I fish Lake Erie Only and have it docked at a marina vs trailering it home after each trip. For me, I like the HT better. I start fishing in March and don't pull it out until freeze up so with the HT i can get out of the wind, rain, and sun so fishing is more comfortable. If I were fishing different areas then the Ranger would be better, much easier to haul from ramp to ramp.
Well everyone. I made my decision. Thanks for everyone's input. Attachment 4994
NICE....Good luck and enjoy it !Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
Nice choice, looks bad azz. Is that the 350? Outta be a rocket ship.
Gradyfish
Yup 350 Verado
Congrats!! Enjoy!!
Looks I'm late to this party!!! But I was just gonna say, I know a guy with a 23' Parker..... he's trolled walleyes in that boat in 6+ footers, water that I'd even question going out in, but that Parker eats it up. But for an open boat - you're not gonna beat that Ranger. That's as good as it gets there!
Good luck out there!