Welcome aboard. We are at the launch ramp for the first time today because we have a boat on a trailer — a 2014 Parker 23 SE. A friend was kind enough to lend it to us for the day, and I got to take it out in the harbor and really put it through its paces. Let me walk you through what this center console has to offer.
Exterior Features
Before we dropped the boat in the water, I walked around it on the trailer. Starting at the stern, this Parker runs a 200 horsepower Yamaha with Lenco factory trim tabs that are flush-mounted right into the hull — not bolted on as an afterthought. There is a single exterior transducer, which is a bit of a bummer because I think a 23-footer could have had a through-hull unit. You have scuppers on each side of the outboard, a small swim platform with a flip-out swim ladder, and D-rings on both sides of the transom for securing the boat to the trailer. There are through-holes for bilge pumps and fuel vents on the port side. The boat came from Florida, but we are no longer in Florida.
Up at the bow is a Lumar stainless anchor windlass system with a bowsprit — aftermarket on this particular vessel. The forward nav light was relocated to a Perko system underneath the bowsprit. There is one cleat on the bow for tying off the anchor line, rod holders running the entire length of both sides with a rail you can chase all the way back, and then more cleats at the stern. This thing has probably too many rod holders, but a lot of people will tell you that is not possible.
On Deck
The first thing you notice jumping on this particular boat is that the deck used to have SeaDeck on it that got pulled up, leaving it sticky and ruined. That is not stock, so if you are looking at a Parker 23 the odds of that happening are pretty low. At the stern you have cup holders on each side of the engine, batteries stored under the seats on both sides with the battery switch right there, and a live well bait pump on the port side. The 200 horsepower Yamaha has a Sea Star steering rack system.
Under the center console hatch on the port side there is mostly storage, a portable head, a rack for cleaning supplies, a window on the opposite side, and access to all the helm electronics from below. On the front of the console there is a seat big enough for two people, though on this one it had been removed and was being redone — you can see the discoloration where the backrest is supposed to be. Kicker speakers are mounted two on each side up in the bow and two more at the transom.
The T-Top and Helm
Above the console sits an aluminum T-top with Sunbrella canvas and a life jacket holder that zips open. Forward of the T-top is a Lowrance 3G broadband radar. At the helm you have a compass up top, a windshield that wraps the entire center console, and two helm chairs. The Lowrance screen has autopilot, plus tach, speed, and fuel gauges for the Yamaha. Lenco tab controls sit on the side with a single throttle, and the steering helm is non-adjustable. Lights and 12-volt outlets are down below. Behind the helm seats there are rod holders and a live well for bait.
How It Handles
Out on the water, the Parker handles as if it were a bigger boat. A lot of smaller boats in the 17 to 23-foot range get thrown around because they are so light — you feel every wave and every bit of chop. This one does not do that. I also really liked how the prop walk works on this single outboard. The boat is easily trailerable — the owner was using a 4Runner, and probably any normal truck would do great. The 4Runner, maybe not so much.
The Ratings
Practicality gets four stars — it is everything you need in a center console with the bait well, all the rod holders, and it is easily trailerable. Styling gets four stars because center consoles always look great on the water and this one fits the exact definition of what you picture. Handling gets four stars — it handles like a bigger boat and does not get knocked around in chop. Performance gets four stars with the reliable 200 horsepower Yamaha.
Comfort gets three stars — average for a center console, especially with the front bench seat removed on this one. There is no real place to lay out, and this one is mainly set up for fishing. Tech gets three stars because there is nothing out of the ordinary — the 3G radar is nice, but I would have bumped it to four if it had a through-hull transducer instead of the exterior one. Value gets five stars and is probably the best thing this boat has going for it. Parker makes great boats, but you are not paying as much for the name as you would for a Boston Whaler. I would take a Parker over a Boston Whaler — it is going to cost a little less because it does not have that big name behind it, but it handles excellent and it is a really well-made boat.
Party Boat gets three stars — I would probably give it two if it were not for a certain video of a captain who will remain anonymous driving this Parker through a harbor. Because that video exists, we will bump it to three since the boat can clearly fit a lot of people. Repairability gets four stars because everything is simple. Need a new battery, go buy one. Need a new bait pump, go buy one. If anything happens to the Yamaha, there are tons of people who can service it and they are easy to work on yourself. Fun Factor gets four stars — I like how much room there is to walk around for a boat this size, it has a good beam, and there is plenty of space for friends to jump on and go for a swim or go fishing. That brings the Parker 23 SE to a total of 38 stars, which is a great rating. Browse similar boats on Set Sale Marine. This Parker is highly recommended. Thank you for sailing with us.
If you are shopping for center consoles, another center console walkthrough covers a boat that punches above its weight.
