Upgrade Ideas to make Cockpit "More Comfortable"

[SeaEsUU]

Please bear with me. I am a complete newbie to this forum and a little background will give some insight as to where I am coming from. My wife and I are looking for a nice boat that we can do weekends on as well as meet up amnd anchor with friends in various coves along the south shore of Long Island NY. i have always been in love with the lines of the Ranger tugs and we are actively searching. However last weekend while looking at a R-27 the Mrs was put off by the lack of "loungability" of the cockpit on the vessel which has soured her on the Ranger Tug, much to my dissapointment. I am looking for ideas. Do any of you have ideas or upgrades that you may done to your vessel to make the cockpit a more comfortable and inviting lounge area? I am in desperate measure as the boats that she has pivoted towards remind me of a pregnant guppy and I don't think I could bring myself to settle for such a boat. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Red Raven]

We use a camping hammock strung diagonally across the cockpit from a cleat to a hand rail. Works great!

 

[Brian John]

The boats are well laid out for their size and practical use. Lounges come with wider and longer boats. We typically leave the table down Molly our Yorkie lays in her bed there and we use this setup much like a couch.

 

[Mastercraft]

Unless you are set on an outbd R27, checkout a diesel R29 after 2016

 

[Full_O_Fish]

We love our inflatable ottoman, it's just the right height for stretching out and can also be used as a seat for a person or two if needed. Best part is you can just deflate it and stow it away till you get where you need to be. The stock cheap fabric cover lasted about a season of moderate use, but I had a new one made from Sunbrella canvas to match the boat and now it's going on 3 years of moderate/heavy use and looks brand new.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Our C30 was extremely loungeable in the cockpit with the table in place and two additions: cockpit enclosure (greatly extended the comfort, dryness, and seasonal usage) and West Marine (or even better Yeti) folding chairs. Many fantastic afternoons and evenings there on docks or anchored! The 27 is a bit smaller in the beam but I would expect the same.

 

[summer wind]

I haven't checked the numbers, but I had the impression that the Cutwater cockpits are larger than those on the Tugs, of comparable size boats.

 

[SeaEsUU]

I haven't checked the numbers, but I had the impression that the Cutwater cockpits are larger than those on the Tugs, of comparable size boats.

It does look like the beam is wider.

 

[SKing]

Beanbag chair. Most comfortable seat on the boat.

 

[watson1987]

It does look like the beam is wider.

C28 is 10 feet and R27 is 8.6

Above and below those two should be the same.

 

[S. Todd]

C28 beam is only 8' 6" just like the R27 Outboard (that is one reason we ordered our R29). The newer model C288 has a 10-foot beam.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Cut28 cockpit - we use a foldable lounger for 1 person also have a camping chair that has a good angle of recline.

The same lounger can also fit across the bow over the anchor locker

 

[Ataman]

We use a camping hammock strung diagonally across the cockpit from a cleat to a hand rail. Works great!

+1 on this and in the case of R27OB you can use the ski pole to hang two hammocks in the cockpit!

 

[William Sanborn]

We have a RT 27 diesel, and nice large cockpit with bench seat at the rear and we have added a couple of GCI Rocking chairs, that can be folded up out of the way or if at a dock can be set out.

 

[William Sanborn]

We have a RT 27 diesel, and nice large cockpit with bench seat at the rear and we have added a couple of GCI Rocking chairs, that can be folded up out of the way or if at a dock can be set out.

 

[SeaEsUU]

It does look like the diesel options have a much larger cockpit. We are bound to the outboard option as a large part of our boating will be going into more shallow coves in the Great South Bay of Long Island and need the added clearance of an outboard that can be raised.

 

[DDean]

We love our R27OB but the R29 is definately more lounge-able. The extra beam is significant and you will be better able to fit beanbags and inflatables….but you want an OB because the 30inch draft of an R29 is too much? R27 draft is 34 inches motor down and you’re saying that you will need to lift the motor to navigate the waters you need?

Seems like a bit of an extreme situation. Perhaps a completely different type of boat is what’s needed if you have such little depth to play with?

 

[SKing]

You can always look at the sister product Cutwater. We looked at both and because of small differences chose to cut water. Although we chose the diesel not the outboard.

 

[SeaEsUU]

You can always look at the sister product Cutwater. We looked at both and because of small differences chose to cut water. Although we chose the diesel not the outboard.

Sound advice indeed. The Mrs has taken a liking to the Solara 250 Coupe. Looking to hit a dealer to get on board several different candidates to hopefully help us come to a consensus.