Parker Monaco, the last frontier of outboard motors

Parker Monaco is a well-built cruiser, with large outdoor and indoor spaces. The surprise is astern: two mighty Mercury outboards.

Outboard motors are widening their range of use, this is a fact. So far though, when it was the case for big boats, they were limited to sporty models. This Parker Monaco is an exception. On one hand, the space and the architecture are those of a family boat, on the other hand, the transom hosts two Mercury V8 units for a total of 600 hp. Add a competitive price, and you have all the reasons to keep an eye on this boat. We put it to test.

Parker Monaco: the test

If you ever thought of tParker Monaco as a displacing, river boat like many beautiful ones from North and Eastern Europe, you are wrong. We are in Cannes, on a rough sea (the photos have not been shot that day), and our test proves how this boat behaves well in these condition. Many boaters would remain in port, but Parker Monaco is safe, faces the waves from any direction with little thuds and a prompt and soft response. Only the sliding roof is noisy when open.

Parker Monaco is pushed by two, new V8 Mercury engines, 300 hp each, with 17” props: the top speed is 35 knots, but with quieter sea and 19” propellers the yard has reached 40 knots. In our opinion this option is preferable, as it allows for a faster acceleration with wavy sea and works better when the boat is at full load for a cruise. The new Mercury units are generous, and they match very well with the boat. Still, the builder leaves a margin, allowing to use up to 350 hp motors.

We get into planing in just 5” and to 30 knots in 16”. It’s not that easy to find a good speed for slow cruising, as at 20 knots the fuel consumption says already 100 lph, while at the minimum planing pace (14 knots, 3700 rpm) the readings say 67 lph.

Parker Monaco: on board

Space is another plus of this boat, along with a good quality of construction granted by the modern industrial facilities of the Polih yard. The cockpit is protected by the overhang of the superstructure, but a soft top can be opened to let sunlight flood in.
The sunpad/bench cabinet can slide forward to let the outboards be trimmed up and the propellers to exit the water. Two accesses lead from the side swim platforms to the passageways (the handrail is short), and to the foredeck with a solarium and a recessed locker for the anchor winch.

The layout inside is functional: a dinette to port faced by a hiding kitchenette, and the hlem station abow. A large opening roof turns the Monaco in a sort of open boat, while a side door is useful to the captain when he’s maneuvering.

As customary for Parker boats, the joinery and materials are functional for an industrial production and for a good value for money.
The same can be said for the lower deck: two cabins host for people, with the master to aft and the guest to starboard with double/twin sliding beds.
We agree with the choice of having just one heads, large and featuring a separate shower box.
So, you have space, comfort, seaworthiness at an affordable price: it’s tough to ask more to Parker Monaco.

The numbers of Parker Monaco

Length overall ……………………………… 11.03 m
Length LH ………………………… 9.98 m
Beam …………………………… 3.63 m
Draft ………………………………… 0.50 m
Displacement, no engines ……… 5.900 Kg
Max output …………………… 2×350 hp OB
Fuel reserve …………………… 700 l
Fresh water reserve ………………… 200 l
Cabins ……………………………………… 2
Berths ………………………………… 4 + 1
Heads ………………………………………… 1
CE design category …………………………… B
Passengers …………………… 10

Performance

rpm knots mph lph nm/l dB
600 2,5 2,9 6 0,42 52
1000 3,6 4,1 10 0,36 58
1500 5,8 6,7 15 0,39 62
2000 7,5 8,6 22 0,34 64
2500 8,7 10,0 30 0,29 66
3000 9,8 11,3 45 0,22 68
3500 12,0 13,8 65 0,18 76
4000 16,0 18,4 78 0,21 78
4500 20,0 23,0 95 0,21 79
5000 27,0 31,1 129 0,21 79
5500 33,0 38,0 174 0,19 79
6000 35,0 40,3 1 84 0,19 80