Defiance, Parker or Steiger craft?

?? fisherman · Oct-09-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipjack-20

sorry, not to hijack all the boat builder drama but,

I looked a difiance boats, they are sweet boats for sure, the only problem I have is:

How the hell do you fish with that ginormous protruding bracket and outboards sticking out the back?

I would like to hear all the stories of guys loosing there fish at the boat from hitting a prop, or skeg.

I don't get it, if the bracket makes the boat ride better, then why not make the boat bigger and eliminate that ridiculous bracket?

For me personally, I would rather have a bracketed outboard vs a notched transom outboard. Reasons for me would be the safety factor (enclosed transom, which I personally dig) as well as what I think would also be an improved ride..... just my opinion.

Once you fish a few times on a bracketed outboard, it really doesn't become as much of an issue as you think it would.

The unknown fisherman

skipjack-20 · Oct-09-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ?? fisherman

For me personally, I would rather have a bracketed outboard vs a notched transom outboard. Reasons for me would be the safety factor (enclosed transom, which I personally dig) as well as what I think would also be an improved ride..... just my opinion.

Once you fish a few times on a bracketed outboard, it really doesn't become as much of an issue as you think it would.

The unknown fisherman

I'll take your word for it.

I have a swim step that is as long as the outdrive, so I know if I clear the platform, i'll clear the outdrive. yes the engine box kinda sucks, but it's low enough to easily do a butt slide from one side to the other.

I would like to know the performance benifit from a bracket, IMO it's a cheap way to gain feet on your ride, but sacrifice your stern rail.

?? fisherman · Oct-09-2009, 11:51 PM

Don't take my word for it Marcus, you may actually hate it.

And to be honest, I don't fish a bracketed boat much, although I do know that those I know and have spoken to, don't seem to encounter much problems with them.

If I owned a Bracketed outboard (which I would love to), I would make and carry a push rod on board just in case of that knarly scenario with a trophy fish.

The unknown fisherman

marlyn · Oct-10-2009, 08:56 AM

If I owned a Bracketed outboard (which I would love to), I would make and carry a push rod on board just in case of that knarly scenario with a trophy fish....

exactly! push poles save fish,i use my boat hook as the head is shaped right for it.

JoshuaD · Oct-10-2009, 07:24 PM

Those are three good boats to choose from. The Steiger's are all composite construction and they do offer diesel also with a lifetime hull warranty. They seem like they are finished better than the Defiance. The BAMF boats look awsome also. Take a look at the Blackman 26 outerbanks. Good luck!

Jaydog · Oct-10-2009, 07:31 PM

The bracketed outboard is not even an issue unless you're 3' tall with a 4' stick. I've never ever seen a fish lost due to a bracketed outboard.

AMorgan · Oct-13-2009, 11:37 AM

Palmer Marine went out of business. This is a fact. They left a number of people holding the bag financially. Defiance Boat Works is a new company, with a lot of the same people involved, including Bo Palmer and his father Stan Palmer.

How did they get from the position of owing money to creditors and going out of business to building the same boats, in the same plant, and having no debt? One wonders.

Just saying that Parker is a very similar boat, with a stronger history. This may (may) translate to higher resale value down the road.

Rob doesn't want rumors spread, but then spreads one himself. For the record, Offshore Marine (the largest Defiance dealer) is owned by the Palmers. They are the largest Definace dealer. Wonder why other dealers don't seem to stay a dealer for them for long, and is that why the Palmers started thier own dealership, to have a place to sell product?

Full disclosure- I have a friend who works for a former Palmer dealer, and has numerous contacts in the industry. It has been interesting to hear his stories.

2na · Oct-14-2009, 09:53 PM

Wow...

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMorgan

Rob doesn't want rumors spread, but then spreads one himself. For the record, Offshore Marine (the largest Defiance dealer) is owned by the Palmers. They are the largest Definace dealer. Wonder why other dealers don't seem to stay a dealer for them for long, and is that why the Palmers started thier own dealership, to have a place to sell product?

Full disclosure- I have a friend who works for a former Palmer dealer, and has numerous contacts in the industry. It has been interesting to hear his stories.

watch-n-learn · Oct-14-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaydog

The bracketed outboard is not even an issue unless you're 3' tall with a 4' stick. I've never ever seen a fish lost due to a bracketed outboard.

what he said.

doug dorsey · Nov-06-2009, 02:43 PM

I have a notched transom on my Parker 2120 Pilot House, my buddy Brett and I recently landed a 150 lb swordfish on my boat. We both fought this fish using a Braid harness, if my boat had a transom bracket we would have had lots of trouble as the fish would do big circles under the boat, taking us over the engine at least 10 times. Its not an issue when fishing tuna or bass as you are not connected to the rod/reel and can reach out with the rod to clear the engine. I am sure we would have had MAJOR problems if the motor was on a bracket. Just my 2 cents.

mikeyairtime · Nov-06-2009, 04:52 PM

They're all good boats. Pretty happy with my Defiance 22 NT. It's been all the way to the Cortez. Look at the big flat wide chines on the 22 Defiance. That's what sold me. It's a Pacific boat. Good compromise of up swell performance and down swell surfing. Not primarily made to cut through chop like some East coast designs. They ride really nice on minimum power and with good economy for a boat with as much v as they have and you can run down swell with the auto pilot on. No bracket for me and the safety issue is non existent. Water doesn't come in a notched boat at least any of the 4 I've owned. Fishability on the other hand............? Not going to pay extra for something that's in the way.

full throttle · Nov-09-2009, 07:20 PM

Check out a Cat before you make your purchase there is no other ride like a cat. I looked at a Parker for 6 years but when I went to purchase one at Sundance Marine the salesman would not give me the time of day maybe it was my looks who knows. At the time I had a 26 footer and a 22 footer but I really wanted a paker because of the fishing room. The salesman pissed me off so bad that I went next door and test drove a cat. and I am glad that I did, I ended up buying a 26 foot cat. I have friends that have parker and there is no doubt that it is a good fishing boat but it is a rough ride getting to the tuna grounds.