Panther is a Commuter 325 which is the most recent creation of master designer and boat builder Ruel Parker. Panther is purposely designed as a shallow draft cruiser, so she can be easily managed by a single individual or a couple in search of cruising adventures and/or day excursions in waters not readily available to most cruising boats of her size. She is of cold mold construction using the highest quality marine wood and latest composites. She is light, strong and efficient. She was launched in early 2023 and has already traveled from Northern Maine to Key West and back by land and sea. Most recently, she completed the entire Great Loop, mostly single handed, in 2025. Her simple systems and Yamaha outboard require almost no maintenance. She can cruise efficiently at 7 knots @ 6MPG or or step up the pace to a fast trawler cruising at 14 knots @3.25MPG.
She provides the essential comforts for cruising including a very large built in refrigerator/freezer, hot and cold running water, a shower and a proper electric marine head. She can self-power with her solar panels 90 HP Yamaha and 460 AH lithium battery bank while providing 120V power from her 2000 W invertor. Panther’s cabin includes a large and comfortable V-berth with reading lights and a fan, two settees, a wall mounted 27” flat screen TV,, plentiful storage with 7 drawers with mahogany fronts, storage under the larger settee and under the v-berth, open storage space under the microwave and a large cabinet under the galley sink. The convection microwave oven and one burner induction stove make quick work of meals on board and you can choose to eat in the open cockpit or at the handmade mahogany galley table that is an exemplar of Mr. Parker’s craftmanship. The cockpit includes a comfortable helm station with a cell phone dock as well as a tablet dock, cupholder space and co-captain’s chair. There is custom storage under both seats as well as in the cockpit; the cockpit storage bins can be removed for a short day trip aboard if desired.
Panther is the ultimate pocket cruiser that can easily be single handed on the water and hauled by a mid-sized SUV on her custom-built trailer.