Ranger R23 vs Cutwater C24

Hello All
The chief and I have been checking out the Ranger R23 and Cutwater C24. We've been onboard both boats and have been leaning towards the R23 mainly due to the slightly better light/room in the wheel house.
My question. The boats have drastically different hull shapes, how are the different hulls going to behave at sea?
thx,mark

My R-23 rides like a dream. I looked at both boats and glad to have waited for the Ranger.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Since no one else chimed in on the comparison I guess I'll give a generic answer based on generic hull shapes for what it is worth. I have not been in either boat and I don't have access to the hull spec details. This is just based on what I have studied about hull designs.

The R23 appears to maintain much of the larger tugs hull design. It leans more towards the semi-displacement hull than the C-24. This means it has a slightly flatter bottom at the stern requiring less horse power to climb to a "semi" plane but limits it's rough water capability at higher speeds. It also has a more vertical stem giving it a relatively longer waterline length to its overall length. This may give it a slightly higher hull speed and thus improved efficiency and tracking at displacement speeds. The waterline length also increases the available volume inside. In short, it should be more efficient for the volume, cost and weight but has a reduced top speed and handling at that speed. It also is designed this way to look more like a tug.

The C24 hull is shifted more toward a deep V planing hull. This should provide better rough water performance at higher speeds at the expense of more horsepower to get up on a plane. The raked stem should give it better handling at higher speeds as well but trades off the performance at displacement speeds and volume inside the boat. In short, it is focused at higher speeds and handling at those speeds but needs more HP and a bit less volume (relative to overall length) to do it. This form also gives it a different look (not a tug look).

The bottom line is a matter of speed, HP required, style, and volume in the boat. Both are great boats but are focused on different priorities.

Hope this helps.

Nice explanation about the impact of hull design. This would explain why both boats achieve 40 mph at WOT, with the R23 having a 200 hp outboard and the C24 having a 300 hp outboard.

Jim

I have not seen any sea trials showing the R23 going 40mph at WOT. 30kts or 35 mph mph is the data I have read. In any case, I suspect it was pretty calm conditions. Someone with an R23 can chime in here on rough water handling at those speeds. Probably a rough ride but it depends in what you consider rough water! :shock:

In any case, in my understanding, the deeper the V the smoother the ride in rough water but the more HP required and the less volume and weight carried. It's all a trade off. There is no magic bullet. The good news is you can pick which you prefer based on intended usage.

Curt,
I took a 23 (inboard 170 hp diesel) out three months ago when the dealer in Salem, Ma had “demo days”. Seeing how I had ordered one I wanted to see how it compared to the 2011 R27 I was trading in. An afternoon wind had picked up and there was a 1-2 foot chop in the bay, I was thrilled. I have had the 27 in some snotty weather and was always happy with the way she took the waves. The 23 did not disappoint. I have had the 27 up to 22 + mph so I brought the 23 up to about 25 mph and she banged through the waves the same as the 27. With both boats having an 8 ½ foot beam that may have been the reason the rides were similar. On a side note, I had some fun doing figure eights and was impressed with the tight turning ability.
I'm taking delivery on the 23 (outboard 200 hp) tomorrow and try to fit a lost summer into what is left of the sunny and hot weather we have been having in the northeast. More to come. There is also a previous post with a link of a 23 at WOT you may want to look at.
John

Great explanation Red Raven. I believe you are right on track. From my observation of videos, Looks like the R-23 really gets up on plane compared to the semi-displacement R-25s and above. Much less of the bow up angle of the other models at speed. I would guess this means the R-23 performs more like a deep V hull in the sense that it might not run very well (efficiently) when run in between the displacement speeds and on plane speeds.

Video of 23 going 40mph

https://www.facebook.com/pocketyachts/videos

Yeah, that's amazing fast!

I do think the flatter bottom of the R23 is likely the reason it can achieve these speeds with less HP than the C24. However, at high speed as the waves get bigger you'll start to feel the waves sooner in the R23 than the deeper V hull of the C24 and likely back off the the throttle a bit sooner.

Notice also in photos of the R23 at speed the verticle stem is still fully out of the water. Less than the larger tugs but still clear of the water. The boat is riding only on the lower part of the hull which is shaped to handle these speeds. The videos and photos are also in calm seas. In large seas the R23 verticle bow stem will eventually come into play and contact the waves at a more abrupt angle than the C24's raked stem. Under these conditions the handling of the C24 should be somewhat superior. Again you'd likely back off on the throttle under these conditions with the R23 first. Our R27 does really well at 18mph up until it gets to about 2 foot seas, then I need to start backing off the throttle and get the bow up. Especially in following seas. I suspect similar handling with the R23 to the R27 as described by John (sleepy boat).

Note that the R23 is actually spec'd at 100lbs heavier than the C24. It is not a smaller boat in any way other than overall length. The C24's added length is due to the more raked stem. The water line lengths are likely similar.

I am not advocating the C24 over the R23, only pointing out the likely differences in handling the original poster asked about. I love everything about our R27 and would likely choose the R23 over the C24 if I were in the market as I like the Tug look more and value the roominess and efficiency. Sure, I'd love to have the efficiency of the R23 with the handling of the C24 and the room and systems of the R27 but it ain't gonna happen. 😀

Sure, I'd love to have the efficiency of the R23 with the handling of the C24 and the room and systems of the R27 but it ain't gonna happen.

Click to expand...

Ha Ha yep the old no such thing as a perfect boat. thanks for all the info everybody. talked w Andrew from factory and gave me a rundown on how the boats differ. Basically, C24 a little faster and the R23 more stable/comfortable. The bonus is that the R23 feels more open. Andrew also talked highly of diesel option.
mark

One thing to keep in mind with the diesel in the R23/C24 is that it is a sterndrive (inboard/outboard), unlike the diesels in other tugs/cutwaters. While sterndrives are very common in 20 - 30 foot boats, not everyone likes this type of engine. On the other hand, not everyone likes outboards either (although this would be my personal choice in a R23).

Jim