When most people hear the name Parker Boats, they likely picture a 20-foot-plus Sport Cabin with its cabin set well forward and a large cockpit built for hauling fish. For more than 50 years, those distinctive Sport Cabin models have been what many anglers associate with Parker. But alongside those iconic boats, Parker has quietly produced center consoles for decades—craft that until recently were seen as rugged, straightforward, budget-friendly fishing platforms rather than lifestyle or family-oriented day boats.
Family-owned until Correct Craft acquired the company in 2019, Parker built its reputation on simple, durable boats prized for their stability and utility. Their conservative design choices—such as a relatively flat running surface optimized for drift fishing and a forward-set helm on the Sport Cabin models—meant older Parkers didn’t always deliver the kind of seakeeping or ride comfort buyers expect today. Since the change in ownership, however, Parker has been updating its approach, adding amenities, modern construction techniques, and a renewed focus on ride quality.
At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last fall, Parker unveiled the 2200CC, the first of a new series of offshore-capable center consoles built on deep-V hulls. Those boats were intended to bridge the gap between hardcore fishing boats and family day boats, combining tournament-friendly features with comfortable seating and practical conveniences. The follow-up model, the Parker 2400CC, arrived for the Miami International Boat Show in 2022 and showcased how far the brand has moved toward a more versatile, refined center-console market.
On the Miami dock, Parker’s Sales and Marketing Director Jeff Donahue walked me through hull number 1, fresh from the North Carolina factory. The 2400CC’s layout focuses on fishing functionality while offering comfortable spaces for family cruising: bow seating with cushions and insulated storage beneath, a forward lounge seat over a fishbox ahead of the console, and dedicated port and starboard cockpit jump seats. LED lighting under the gunwales and a head are standard, and buyers can choose amenities such as a fiberglass leaning post with an integrated livewell and tackle and rod storage instead of the standard powder-coated aluminum version.
The helm is roomy enough to accommodate large electronics; Donahue pointed out the single 12-inch Garmin unit installed on the show boat but emphasized the console can take two 16-inch displays. There’s also dedicated space for an optional Fusion stereo. The helm bench features flip-up bolsters and armrests for more comfortable standing or seated driving, and the cockpit jump seats on either side of the motor well remove easily for fishing or to open up cockpit space. Although there isn’t a specific locker to stow the jump seats when not in use, the boat offers ample storage pockets for gear and seats alike.
At the stern, the 2400CC has swim platforms flanking the outboard—wide enough for boarding from a dock or returning from the water—with a ladder stowed beneath the port platform. Standard power on the model is a 250-hp Yamaha, while the show boat sported an optional 300-hp Yamaha. Small details like cup holders built into the motor well’s edge and a convertible bow table that converts to a casting platform or sun pad underscore the dual-purpose nature of the design.
One notable technical update is the shift away from traditional wooden stringers. Historically, Parker used 2-inch solid wood stringers wrapped in multiple layers of fiberglass; the new center consoles use hollow fiberglass stringers that are 4 inches thick and foam-filled for flotation. That modern construction eliminates rot-prone materials while increasing stiffness and longevity. Parker plans to use the same stringer and hull construction across all upcoming center-console models, with two more center consoles scheduled for release this year—one in the summer and another in the fall.
To evaluate the new hull’s performance, we took the 2400CC out of Sea Isle Marina toward Fishermans Channel in Miami. Heavy easterly wind and choppy inlet conditions meant our boat review ride remained inside the port, where commercial traffic and mixed wakes produced a realistic test of seakeeping. With 2- to 3-foot waves and occasional larger wakes, the boat behaved confidently. When we hit a 4-foot wake with the throttle open, the 5,600-pound hull sliced through cleanly, the bow did not climb excessively, and the ride stayed composed—my knees didn’t turn into shock absorbers. The boat remained mostly dry, too, aside from spray from another vessel that passed too close.
On the return run, with an opposing tide and limited room to trim, I managed 44 mph under full throttle. In calmer, properly trimmed conditions the 2400CC should approach its advertised top speed near 50 mph. More importantly for many buyers, the boat delivered a comfortable, soft ride in the chop—an improvement that signals Parker’s evolution from basic utility boats to more capable offshore-minded center consoles.
“We’re known for not being fancy,” Donahue said, “but we’re getting more fancy.” The 2400CC proves that statement: it retains Parker’s reputation for toughness and practicality while adding modern comforts, construction, and improved seakeeping. This new center console is a clear departure from the older Parkers—offering anglers and families a more refined, versatile ride without losing the brand’s core strengths.
Specifications
LOA: 27’8”
Beam: 8’6”
Draft (engine up): 11”
Displacement: 5,600 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 97 gals.
Power (standard): (1) 250-hp Yamaha
Price (base): $113,078
This article was originally published in the May 2022 issue.