Mid-Size 23 to 25' Pilothouses Including a New Parker Offering - the 2420!!!!

Nothing screams Northeast (and perhaps Pacific Northwest) like the venerable pilothouse. A fishing boat that offers protection from the often harsh elements AND lots of fishability.
In this video, shot in October 2024 at the Tobay Boat Show in Long Island, New York, we look at 5 examples from NorthCoast, Steiger Craft and Parker that slot into that "mid-size" 23 to 25' range
Which would you pick and why?
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Filmed Entirely on a GoPro Hero 12: amzn.to/4gVbyA9

[@ATC235]

Parker did a great job with the new 2420. No wood.

[@blankrobber]

John- another great video! Appreciate the side deck views on a couple of these boats. Bow access is important to me especially if there are hand holds... also seeing anchor roller and hatch size is nice

[@adamdavi8869]

Aw man, I can't believe I missed the Tobay show! One of my favorites. You're correct, it's a great, laid back show.

[@johnk1529]

Great job. Thanks for bringing us looks at all these boats.

[@tg426]

Surprising to see carpeting in the 25' Parker, I know finishing in gelcoat is more expensive, but it's a finishing boat...should be able to be rinsed down everywhere!

[@blankrobber]

So true! I hate mousehair in a boat. It does have insulating properties but gets dirty so easily

[@philOKC]

Like your quicker, side-by-side comparisons with prices. These videos get me on the ball park in putting together a list of candidates I am considering for my first and last off-shore Gulf fishing boat. Thanks

[@jiggingjerks]

@@philOKC glad they help!!!

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

Nice review John! Went through all these last year while looking, including defiance and NC255HT. NC is just to expensive, 250k+. Parker had the doors, step down and monkey fur, Defiance has the doors. Went Steiger 255 w/150’s. Been great so far and fish year round in a t shirt, open windows in heat of summer and great Sun protection. Really nice not getting soray or wind in your face on those long 60mile runs for tuna or stripers at Block. I often find myself on the bow casting :)

[@philOKC]

@@Aroundtheblocksportfishing That is the one that piqued my interest the most in this video. Do you have any complaints on its adequacy for fishing. Without going back and looking at the video, it seems I had a few questions about live wells and kill lockers

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

@ No complaints at all, really no issues the first year. The open cockpit works well for all types of fishing. Live well in the stern holds plenty of bait, fix box in floor is 200qt I think I measured. We had 3 nice 50” tuna in there with room.

[@04NJCobra]

Very thorough video, great job! I wish there was a mid size pilot house with 9’6 beam, flat deck, batteries above deck, some folding benches and a decent cabin. Combine all the ones you showed together lol.

[@Team_Rubio]

Great video. Thanks

[@Darth-Betta]

The floor storage and the large bilge access in the new 2420 is very nice. My buddy with the 2320 always mentions he wishes he had those when he fishes my Contender 23 open. 👍

[@richdewitt760]

I prefer the not tabled DEFIANCE pilot houses---pure gold, my silver medal goes to Steiger, Parker ONLY if on deep discount gets the bronze medal. Rich

[@DaDuddaMan64]

I been looking I'm about to retire the defiance line looks real good

[@707SLAYER]

STEIGER CRAFT BECAUSE I OWN A 23DV MIAMI AND YES I LOVE IT ...

[@Dannny_Mac]

Thank you 🙏❤️

[@robertrusso2122]

My pick would be the Parker 2520, I like the dead rise and the wider beam. Thank John great job

[@Longislandfishingcharters]

North coast looks perfect

[@tg426]

With the step down cabin/house, that Parker would look good with a small flybridge, like the sedan fishermans from the 1970's.

[@jiggingjerks]

Yes!!!!!

[@tg426]

The Northcoast represents a good value, while I am. Steiger fan (and Boston Whaler owner) I could see myself in a Northcoast.

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

Steiger open house coming in a few weeks- do a vid on that, would be nice to see

[@robertcelebre7247]

The stagger craft 23 all the way

[@michaelbartyzal1306]

You do great videos!

[@jiggingjerks]

@@michaelbartyzal1306 very kind of you to say Michael!

[@sapelesteve]

Interesting video John! Personally, I am not a fan of Pilothouse boats. I prefer Walk Arounds, but that's just me. Hope that all is well! 👍👍

[@gregzis981]

I personally would pick the Parker 2520

[@Tommy.OrginalvideosPhilly]

Parker 2520 is A BEAST! Wide is an understatement. But yeah, soon as I saw them batteries in the bilge I said 😮 wtf... WHY? Just WHY? ruined the whole boat for me. Was about to convert me to Parker from Steiger 😂

[@Steve-Jody]

and the poly hat hatch covers. It should be finished better. But you’re right about the batteries, ughhhhh.

[@panamacitybeachbum]

The 2420 will ride much better than the 2550 as both share a 21 degree deadrise.. BUT the 2420 has a better length to width ratio.

[@biviac1237]

id gladly take any! but the northcoast 255ht (I know you didn't show it) would be my choice

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

That NC 255 is 250k+, way too much

[@biviac1237]

@@Aroundtheblocksportfishingyeah it’s a little more money, but it looks to me like a higher end boat. That being said, for the money, that 2420 and 23 Miami are in the running. All awesome boats!

[@petermont1]

Make sure u put your TV on tomorrow...5:08 pm. Any new shows coming up?

[@jiggingjerks]

Mets? Next fishing show for me will be Stuart Florida in January

[@petermont1]

fish talk?

[@jiggingjerks]

@@petermont1 yes, this Thursday for opening of tog

[@petermont1]

see you then...looking fwd for the blackfish

[@derekalexander4030]

Great review of the nice sized pilot houses. I would probably go with the Parker 2520 for the size and included in the price was a second station for docking and 2 motors for easy maneuverability. Thanks for taking us along to Tobay.

[@tsawyer5000]

That carpet🤕

[@ATC235]

The northcoast I feel messed up with those steps where the battery goes. You take away that fishing spot. If ur trying to get 3 people on a side - you are losing that area. Not a fan of it. Maybe on a 28ft lol

[@dalehawk6865]

I have the Parker 2320 paired with the Yamaha 300. Hitting your head on the doorway while stepping down sucks.

[@cycole9690]

I think the prices are an absolute joke. When the economy crashes at the end of the year, they'll be giving those things away next year

[@Darth-Betta]

lol Don't get your hopes up.

[@tg426]

Unfortunately boats are a luxury item and MSRP will never go down, the prices might stabilize and be flat for a few years but they’ll wait for the economy to catch up. Used prices should drop a little, usually the best way to buy…after some depreciation.

[@axscdvfb]

Used prices are definitely dropping. If you can find old new stock on a lot you may be able to negotiate as well. For ordering a brand new boat from the factory, I doubt you can get a discount because of the high manufacturing cost. The builder isn’t going to build you a boat at a loss.

[@panamacitybeachbum]

Don't hold your breathe, Chicken Little.

[@Steve-Jody]

You mean like the stock market RECORDS each day that was suppose to crash 4 years ago? GTFOH

[@robertwestrom6878]

I want the protection but I don't want to ride so far forward

[@DaveBrown-t7w]

No bow pulpit

[@ATC235]

The 2420 has no wood. Wish you could get this without the wall like the other brands

[@duffmeister6480]

Where’s the Osprey and Shamrocks ? Your the banker how much does it cost a month to finance one of these boats ? Thanks.

[@jiggingjerks]

Not at the show unfortunately and no idea! I did Compliance stuff

[@duffmeister6480]

80% of $175k =140 @ 7.8% for 5-10 years = app $1800 @ month. That’s a lot of $$$ by the time it’s paid off, used rate is 1% more. Considering how often the average boater/fisherman gets to use it ? I’d go with one of your Roadside Boats.

[@georgedoolittle9015]

Not really a fan of putting the bulk of controls inside the pilot house as is the Industry norm tho but yes failure to put any top deck access and controls remains a major failing as so much livable space ruined by having to have all those controls so would definitely take the Parker 25 with the exterior control station if forced to choose for the price though these are very weak offerings one and all far too austere and definitely not made for any fishing i am familiar with anyways. Verdict: even a 13 foot whaler is a rip off😊😊

[@axscdvfb]

That Parker can do more than 3.0mpg? Seems hard to believe.

[@jiggingjerks]

No chance.

[@axscdvfb]

@@jiggingjerks how many MPG do you get on your Eastward on flat clam water?

[@jiggingjerks]

@@axscdvfb 2.1 to 2.3 is the best I’ll see. With a heavy load I’ll see 1.9

[@axscdvfb]

@@jiggingjerks That makes me feel much better about my diesel 🙂I am getting about 2.5mpg at 27mph on my 26ft pilot house boat with a full load. I was so bummed when I saw the Parker claiming better mpg than me with a gas outboard! By the way, look up Farallon 2600 I think you will find my boat. It's very popular in California but I think only very few make it to the east coast.

[@Steve-Jody]

I hope no one is financing these boats at these interest rates…. 7% 20% down age 60 you’ll be in a nursing home before that boat is paid for. Hire a guide folks , you be glad you did in the end.

[@jkgkjgkijk]

No electronics for 180k is a joke

[@cheapme1850]

Pretty sad to see every last one of these very expensive boats running foreign engines. Maybe they’re actually manufactured in the USA?

[@jiggingjerks]

I believe only Merc is made here

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

Steiger 255, best value & layout. Made for fishing.

[@mickmouse92]

Sorry, not sorry. Yamaha earned it.