Open or Hard Top

[ebijack]

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.

[Reel_Deal]

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.

[Capt Eric]

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!

[wajski]

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

[j4gash]

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.

[Eriegardless]

Congrats!! Enjoy!!