hello I am new to this site ,, My wife and I are looking at the tugs and have agreed that the price jump from the 25 to the 29 is just a little to much for us to justify, however I have serious concerns that it is some thing i might regret. Any opinions on the size of the 25 for 2 people.
25 or 29
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bbrh842
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If you are thinking about spending more than 24 hours on a R-25, you better REALLY like each other.
If you are thinking about spending more than 24 hours on a R-29, you better REALLY like each other.
Other than that, they are about the same, except for the price.
If you are thinking about spending more than 24 hours on a R-29, you better REALLY like each other.
Other than that, they are about the same, except for the price.
I really like my wife, how she feels about me? you'll have to ask her. In all seriousness, isn't that the same for any type of boat, 24 - 29. I really want to stay trailerable.
Besides if my wife and I get to the point where we don't like each other , I have no problem going fishing and cruising alone.
Besides if my wife and I get to the point where we don't like each other , I have no problem going fishing and cruising alone.
sportner
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You could go to a 27' Ranger, they are 8.5' wide and go into production late next month. Base boat price is just under 150K. Contact Jeff Messmer at Ranger Tugs for more information.
tim&kim
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We purchased our R25 last June. We cruised extensively on it for overnight trips, big water crossings etc. While it was very seaworthy and comfortable we moved up to an R29 in Feb of this year and there is no comparison....we found that the difference in size is well worth it and VERY significant to the entire "on the water experience".
Best of luck with your decision.
Tim and Kim-Gibsons, B.C.
Best of luck with your decision.
Tim and Kim-Gibsons, B.C.
bbrh842
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The R-29 is not only longer, but wider and deeper. It literally has almost TWICE the interior volume of the R-25. We got the R-25 mainly because of the poverty. So far we have made four one week expeditions on the R-25, with no problem. So I know it can be done. But the extra space in the R-29 would be nice. Poverty is a terrible thing.
terraplane
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My Ranger 25 is my eighth or ninth boat. Some of the previous boats have been Chesapeake deadrises, 40 ft long, with very ample accommodation.
It is a cliche but all boats are compromises. We (two of us) have cruised on the 25 for sometimes two weeks at a time with no complaint...the simplicity of the boat, the inexpensive operation, and the clever layout has made it the right compromise.
I feel the 29, at the price, offers little more than the additional space...fine if you can afford it, but....
Of course, know that in my earlier years i went all over the bay on an 18 ft. bateau with a kerosend stove and a blue tarp...and a 9hp Briggs and Stratton air cooled motor..so the R25 feels like QE2.
tfm
It is a cliche but all boats are compromises. We (two of us) have cruised on the 25 for sometimes two weeks at a time with no complaint...the simplicity of the boat, the inexpensive operation, and the clever layout has made it the right compromise.
I feel the 29, at the price, offers little more than the additional space...fine if you can afford it, but....
Of course, know that in my earlier years i went all over the bay on an 18 ft. bateau with a kerosend stove and a blue tarp...and a 9hp Briggs and Stratton air cooled motor..so the R25 feels like QE2.
tfm
Texas Steve
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We currently own the R21EC and are having the same dilemma. I finally made the 6 hour drive down to look at the two side my side and decided we could be very happy with the R25 as a couple. However, having said that, I couldn't imagine having more than the two of us overnight on the R25. The spacious second cabin on the R29 would make quite a bit of difference if you had a second couple aboard. The only problem I saw with the R29 is the entry to the only head is through the Vberth which would make night time visits kind of friendly. As someone else stated earlier, the other factor is that the R29 is a hugely different vessel. When you see the engine and generator size side by side with the R25, there is a massive difference which would have to show up in fuel and insurance costs of operation. The aforementioned R27 might be a very nice compromise for many folks.
Texas Steve
Texas Steve
commander bill
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If your new boat will stay in water most of the time the R29 has more room. However, if trailering is important I would look closer before you decide. The R29 will involve more driving stress & some exposure to state permits. The R25 requires no permit. Either boat can be pulled with a HD truck (F25/350).
I bought the R25 2 years ago & my wife & I have made several 1-2 week trips. We have been out for the day with 8-11 people a few times. For my purposes I am not interested in upgrading to a R29 since I trailer my boat to both Tennessee & Florida a couple of times each year. The R25 is large enough & I do not consider the extra price worth the size change.
I bought the R25 2 years ago & my wife & I have made several 1-2 week trips. We have been out for the day with 8-11 people a few times. For my purposes I am not interested in upgrading to a R29 since I trailer my boat to both Tennessee & Florida a couple of times each year. The R25 is large enough & I do not consider the extra price worth the size change.
doke01
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25 for two people works great! It is quite comfortable and very easy for two people to handle. We spend long weekends and 2-3 week vacation trips each year on it. Last year we cruised from NJ to Lake Champlain and back and spent 3 weeks doing it. The year before it was from NJ to Newport, RI. We take several smaller trips also.
Check out the 27 that is coming out. It has the same cabin as a 25 and the cockpit of a 25SC (or so I hear).
Check out the 27 that is coming out. It has the same cabin as a 25 and the cockpit of a 25SC (or so I hear).
j&lgray
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John and Dave Livingston, Jeff, and the whole factory team really has to love this thread: the debate of which of their boats is better. Now, that has to be one of the sure signs of a great product and business model! No wonder there have been a host of boat manufacturers who have gone under.
Great job you guys! The next best thread will be a debate about who got the best customer service from the factory. Wow, you have to love it.
To chime in on this, I borrow a phrase from the Skipper Bob, the author of many great cruising guides, who essentially said,Buy the smallest boat that you can comfortably be on rather than the biggest one that you can afford; you will use it more, enjoy it more, and go to all the same places that the mega-bucks go.
Great job you guys! The next best thread will be a debate about who got the best customer service from the factory. Wow, you have to love it.
To chime in on this, I borrow a phrase from the Skipper Bob, the author of many great cruising guides, who essentially said,Buy the smallest boat that you can comfortably be on rather than the biggest one that you can afford; you will use it more, enjoy it more, and go to all the same places that the mega-bucks go.
Levitation
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go small, go cheap, go now
I went with the biggest boat I can trailer without getting into permits...
I went with the R25 because I got one for barely more than a Venture 25 - which was about as cheap (meaning uncomfortable) as the Admiral would do without getting moody...
I am trying to go NOW - but Murphy is hanging around, smoking those evil smelling cheroots, drinking rotgut whiskey, and cackling insanely as I hit each snag that he keeps dropping in my way...
I went with the biggest boat I can trailer without getting into permits...
I went with the R25 because I got one for barely more than a Venture 25 - which was about as cheap (meaning uncomfortable) as the Admiral would do without getting moody...
I am trying to go NOW - but Murphy is hanging around, smoking those evil smelling cheroots, drinking rotgut whiskey, and cackling insanely as I hit each snag that he keeps dropping in my way...
Stella Maris
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As with Tim and Kim, Maureen and I have now owned both the R-25 and the R-29. We spent up to a week at a time as well as most weekends on our R-25 and loved it. Having said that and moved up to the R-29, we really love it. With a hundred nights aboard since November, it has been great.
The interior volume of the boat is wonderful in the PNW climate. The master stateroom with the walk around bed.... Love the fact that it is more like home.
Do we miss our R-25? Yes. The fuel economy was great. With the R-29, we burn 4 GPH at an average speed of 8 knots. The R-25 burns 1 GPH at 6 knots. Big difference! Towing would not be very pleasant with the R-29. It can be done, it would just be a lot.
If you can afford the R-29 and are going to leave it in the water for long periods, go for it. If you are planning to trailer, go with the R-25.
As a side note, I would still love to have the R-21. All are great boats!
The interior volume of the boat is wonderful in the PNW climate. The master stateroom with the walk around bed.... Love the fact that it is more like home.
Do we miss our R-25? Yes. The fuel economy was great. With the R-29, we burn 4 GPH at an average speed of 8 knots. The R-25 burns 1 GPH at 6 knots. Big difference! Towing would not be very pleasant with the R-29. It can be done, it would just be a lot.
If you can afford the R-29 and are going to leave it in the water for long periods, go for it. If you are planning to trailer, go with the R-25.
As a side note, I would still love to have the R-21. All are great boats!
Spirit of Gratitude
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I would like to comment on the towing the 29 part. I have a new 29 and have towed it 1500 miles so far. Towing the 29 was not a big deal at all. Yes it is a bit wider and heavier but I really want to stress again it was no big deal. I will tow my 29 anywhere.
Getting the permits was as easy as can be. It cost just over $100.00 to go through four states.
So I would not let the towing part make your decision for you because once you do it you to will see that it is not what some people are making it out to be.
It really comes down to what do you choose to afford? It will cost more to own and operate the 29. But for us it is worth every penny for the 29 is so much more boat. We will use our boat for the next 20 years or more. My wife and I are working people and had to look to the long run when it came to buying the new boat. I know we will be so glad down the road that we made the decision to go with the bigger boat. It really is the last boat we will ever need. We can now take our second home wherever we want and do it in style and comfort.
We also like the 29 because we boat in some rough seas at times and the 29 is very stable because of the extra beam. It is common for us to have a 60 mile crossing with 8 to 12 foot swells at 17 sec and a 3 to 5 chop on top. you will have a better ride in the 29 over the 25 in such conditions.
The 25 is a great boat but when we looked close at both boats we knew for us that it was going to be the 29 if we were going to be really happy.
The truth of the matter is you most likely already know what you want, It just comes down to wrapping your mind around it.
Good luck with your choice,
Stuart
Getting the permits was as easy as can be. It cost just over $100.00 to go through four states.
So I would not let the towing part make your decision for you because once you do it you to will see that it is not what some people are making it out to be.
It really comes down to what do you choose to afford? It will cost more to own and operate the 29. But for us it is worth every penny for the 29 is so much more boat. We will use our boat for the next 20 years or more. My wife and I are working people and had to look to the long run when it came to buying the new boat. I know we will be so glad down the road that we made the decision to go with the bigger boat. It really is the last boat we will ever need. We can now take our second home wherever we want and do it in style and comfort.
We also like the 29 because we boat in some rough seas at times and the 29 is very stable because of the extra beam. It is common for us to have a 60 mile crossing with 8 to 12 foot swells at 17 sec and a 3 to 5 chop on top. you will have a better ride in the 29 over the 25 in such conditions.
The 25 is a great boat but when we looked close at both boats we knew for us that it was going to be the 29 if we were going to be really happy.
The truth of the matter is you most likely already know what you want, It just comes down to wrapping your mind around it.
Good luck with your choice,
Stuart