On 12/12/10 8:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:45:29 -0500,
wrote:

I'd prefer a straight shaft, 350 hp diesel

Yes.

Maintenance on outdrives is problematic, especially for boats stored
in the water. And the appendage behind the transom gives it an
unusual appearance to say the least. It will be interesting to see
how it does in the marketplace, certainly not a Florida boat, maybe
the North East, Great Lakes or PNW.


I can see a northern boat, with some sort of heat exchanger to heat the
cabin while the engine is running, *if* you can bite the bullet for an I/O.

Parker did produce one 28-footer with a cockpit mounted diesel hooked
through a long extension to a stern drive. i got a ride in the boat one
really rough day when the boat was making the rounds of dealers. The
fairly forward weight of that diesel helped give the boat a terrific
ride in the rough stuff. This was just before I bought my 25' Parker. I
would have bought a 28-footer with diesel instead *if* it had been a
straight shaft, non I/O drive.