Center consoles are great in good weather, but their biggest downside is undeniable: during the colder months of the season you’ll need to layer up in a big way. You’ll still freeze your keister off when running, rain can be a trip-killer, and if there are kids aboard there’s a good chance you’ll make them miserable. For charging onto the Chesapeake from October through May cabin boats have a serious leg up. And one of the newest offerings to hit the water is the Parker 2420SC, which we checked out up close and in person this spring.
You may have noticed a change through the Parker lineup in recent years, as the newer models boast an enhanced level of finish, comfort, and family-friendliness. This certainly holds true with the 2420SC. Beyond offering full weather protection at the helm, the cabin boasts an unusually large berth. The helm station doesn’t go all the way down to deck level but instead is open underneath, adding a third more space for stretching out. And Parker adds foam decking pads to the cabinsides so it’s comfortable to lean up against them. Naturally there’s a spot for a portable MSD, and comfort during the warmer months of the year gets a boost thanks to an opening windshield and side windows. Your comfort as captain gets a big boost, too, if you opt for the Seaspension active suspension seat pedestal, which was rigged on the boat we were on.
Additional seating can also be found in the cockpit, where our boat had a doublewide fold-away lounge seat. What you’re more likely to be interested in back here, however, is the wide-open acreage. Parkers have always been focused on delivering maximum fishing space and the 2420SC is no exception. From the cabin bulkhead to the transom it’s wide-open casting territory, and trollers will want to note the availability of a second helm station in the cockpit. You’ll also want to opt for the six-rod rocket launcher rack. Four gunwale holders come stock, as do two in-deck fishboxes plus a fishbox in the transom alongside the livewell and a raw water washdown. Note that the fishbox in the transom is monstrous, and yes, I did climb inside and close the hatch to prove the point while we were filming our video of the boat.
What about the loss of all that bow fishing space? Parker snatches much of it right back. While walking forward we had a deep appreciation for the hardtop grabrail, cabin side grabrail, and tall bowrail they added on. You can walk forward with a firm grip each and every step of the way. And when you get up front you’ll find a flat bowdeck with plenty of level standing room for a pair of anglers to stand from while casting.
Another big change you’ll see in the 2420SC versus old-school Parkers: performance. The boat’s available with a single 300 or twin 150s or 200s, and with a pair of Yamaha F200s on the transom top-end gets into the upper 50s. Yes you read that right, a Parker cabin boat can now travel at highway speeds. And set at a reasonable 4500 rpm cruise, it will clip along in the low- to mid-40s.
We need to note that along with design and performance upgrades Parker has also upped the ante when it comes to fit and finish. Inspect a 2420SC and you’ll find it’s a big jump up from old-school Parkers in every way — it simply looks like it’s been brought into the modern era of boatbuilding. Niceties like a four-speaker Wet Sounds stereo system, LED lighting, drink holders, and pop-up cleats have been added on. And while you’ll notice the boost in overall comfort level the moment you step aboard, it will really hit home the first time you push down the throttle on a rainy 40-degree day.
Parker 2420SC Specifications
- LOA – 24’2”
- Beam – 8’8”
- Displacement – 4,880 lbs.
- Draft (min.) – 1’4”
- Transom Deadrise – 21 degrees
- Fuel Capacity – 140 gal.
- Max. Power – 400 hp
- Area Dealers – Tri-State Marine, Deale and Annapolis, MD (410) 867-1447; Legasea Marine, Yorktown, VA (757) 898-3000.