Few vessels are as familiar to Chesapeake Bay anglers as Parker boats, and unless you’ve been blocking all things boat-related, you’ve almost certainly heard that new Parkers have undergone some changes in the past few years. Lots and lots of changes. So many, in fact, that part of their center console lineup is now being tagged with a new model name: Fathom. And when it comes to fishing on Bay waters the 274 Fathom is going to pique the interest of countless Chesapeake casters.
The 274 Fathom looks and acts like the old 2600 CC, but you’ll immediately note an improved attitude when running through the seas thanks to the addition of a standard vessel attitude control system, the Seakeeper 450 Ride. Again we say: unless you’ve been blocking all things boat-related you’ve almost certainly heard about it. A set of rotary blades on the transom which can make up to 100 adjustments per second are controlled by a computo-brain, which is taking in up to 1000 measurements per second. The blades zip up and down to counteract the effect of waves as the boat cruises through the seas, and the net result is a massive reduction in motion.
Some other departures from the Parkers of yesteryear: the helm is protected by a full three-sided enclosure framed by powder-coated D-channel aluminum (and sports four rocket launchers, an electronics box, integrated speakers, integrated spreader and courtesy lights); the bow features through-stem anchoring; trolling motor pre-wiring is included; there’s flanking seating with removable forward-facing backrests; and a Garmin GPSMAP 8612 xsv sits at the helm while a GT12M transducer sits in the hull.
You say one MFD just isn’t enough? We agree, so it’s a good thing you can opt instead to have a pair of 8612s or even a pair of 8616s. Parker includes a VHF 115 radio in the package so when you add on a xHD radar and a GMX54 SiriusXM weather receiver, you’ll have a complete electronics package worthy of any rigged-to-the-teeth fishing machine.
Parker 274 Fathom Fishing Features
Speaking of fishing machines: the 274 Fathom boasts a 40-gallon livewell in the transom and a 30-gallon well in the leaning post, which also sports tackle stowage and more rocket launchers. There’s a monster 67.5-gallon fishbox in the transom, a pair of 50-gallon boxes in the deck, and another 37.5-gallon box in the foredeck. The rodholder count is exceptionally strong with eight in the gunwales and five in the transom, and you can opt to have another half-dozen added on.
Another evident change is the inclusion of plenty of comfort-adding features, something older Parkers were most certainly not known for. In addition to the bow seating the boat has a monster forward console lounger with fold-down arm rests and stowage underneath. More seating can be found at the transom, in the form of a flip-down bench seat that folds flush and out of the way when fishing. And the leaning post has flip-up bolsters and flip-down arm rests. Additional unexpected perks include a console pad armed with wireless charging for your cell phone, a six-speaker Wet Sounds stereo system, a freshwater shower, and a console head compartment with 5’5” of headroom.
Parker 274 Fathom Speed and Performance
Stock power for the 274 Fathom is a pair of Yamaha F200 outboards on the engine bracket, which deliver a cruising speed in the mid- to upper-30s while spinning 4500 rpm and a top-end over the 50-mph mark. Note that if you can force yourself to slow down to speeds in the upper 20s the boat can get 2.5 mpg, which is pretty darn sweet for a center console in this size range. You say there’s no slowing down when a hot bite awaits? We can’t argue with you, and in that case, you might want to upgrade to a pair of F250s.
Like many of you, I can remember running around the Bay on old-school Parkers. Well, it’s time to erase those old memories and make some new ones—because the 274 Fathom is ready to take you casting out on the Chesapeake in comfort. Fathom that!
Parker 274 Fathom Specifications
- LOA – 27’5” (including bracket, excluding motors)
- Beam – 9’7”
- Draft (min.) – 1’8”
- Displacement – 6800 lbs.
- Transom Deadrise – 19 degrees
- Fuel Capacity – 157 gal.
- Max. Power – 500 hp
For more information visit the Parker Boats website, or FishTalk supporters Legasea Marine, in Yorktown, VA (757) 898-3000; and Tri-State Marine, in Deale and Annapolis, MD (410) 867-1447.