We ran across the Parker 2900CC at the Miami International Boat Show this winter, where it was on display at Yamaha’s dock sporting a pair of F300s. And it’s no wonder Yamaha wanted the boat there. Parkers have never been known as performance boats, but with the 600 Yamarabian stallions on its bracket the 2900CC can hit a hat-stripping 60 mph. Dial back to a comfortable 4500 rpm cruise, and you’ll be trotting across the Bay at speeds in the mid-40s. You couldn’t so much as hope for speeds like that from an old-school Parker. But before we look any deeper, let's check out that video:
Along with stellar performance the boat delivers another surprise in the comfort department. Remember how the old-school Parkers were rough and rugged? This boat sports a double-wide lounger in front of the console. There’s a fold-down transom bench seat that’s anything but bench-like, flip-down bolster seats on the leaning post, and an aft-facing seat behind the leaning post. Additional luxury perks include a six-speaker Wet Sounds stereo system, a head in the console compartment, six stainless-steel cupholders, USB charging ports, and LED under-gunwale lighting.
Despite making the major shift to emphasizing comfort along with fishability, Parker maintained its fishing-first attitude and rigs the 2900CC for serious angling. There’s a 25-gallon livewell and tackle stowage in the leaning post, a 40-gallon livewell and a 67.5-gallon fishbox in the transom, two 137.5-gallons split between three in-deck fishboxes with macerators, six gunwale rodholders, and a raw water washdown. Stock. We also need to note that the new T-top design incorporates a three-sided enclosure with D-channel pipework, and integrated spreader lights, courtesy lights, speaker pods, an electronics box, and four rocket launchers.
Wait a sec — when going in this new direction, did Parker dumb-down their reputationally rugged construction? Heck no. This boat is still through-bolted at the hull-to-deck joint, stringers are fiberglass, hardware is stainless-steel, and the hull is backed by Parker’s 10-year limited warranty.
Parker has been building boats since the 1960s, and if you’re an angler, you already know that in that time they’ve maintained a reputation for building rock-solid no-frills fishing machines. The 2900CC proves that they’re still as rugged as they come, but today’s models have a pinch of performance and a dash of family-friendliness that’s new for this builder — and will be appreciated by hardcore anglers and family fishermen alike.
Parker 2900CC Specifications
- LOA – 28’3” (30’4” w/bracket)
- Beam – 9’6”
- Displacement – 8682 lbs.
- Draft (hull) – 1’5”
- Transom Deadrise – 21 degrees
- Fuel Capacity – 191 gal.
- Max. Power – 600 hp
- Area Dealer – Tri-State Marine, Deale MD, (410) 867-1447.