We traded our 2014 R25SC for a new R31 Sedan last fall and now have 63 hours on the new boat. We operate on the Columbia River where current is a given, sometimes over 3 knots through our slip. Fortunately we head directly into it as we enter the slip.
We had the R25 in the same slip and took her the full length of the Snake and most of the Columbia – Clarkston to Portland, 6 locks, about 5 weeks.
We also were concerned about handling the additional length – needlessly. Yes, you have to remember where the stern is swinging, but that is true of any boat. The visibility out the rear of the cabin is much improved over the 25 (and presumably the 27) because the head is forward rather than in the galley. In fact there are so many windows, it is hard to find a spot to hang anything on the salon walls.
The 31 is a little beamer and a bit heavier. This improves the handling in two ways. First, the increased size makes her more sea-kindly as weather picks up. The additional weight makes it easier to control at slow speeds, as when approaching a berth.
That seemed counterintuitive when we asked other owners about it while deciding to get the larger boat. The R25 was very responsive to the throttle and it could be easily moved 6 feet at a time. The increased momentum of the R31 requires some forethought – but any boat should. The increased inertia means that it can be easily moved 6 inches at a time. We can give a little throttle when we need water passing the rudder without gaining headway. As far as stopping, there is plenty of power available. We even backed it three boat lengths alongside a pier into the current. Not something that would be fun on a daily basis, but we wanted to know we could. We haven’t taken the 31 through a lock yet, but we are sure it is going to be much simpler than the 25.
We keep close track of fuel economy and were pleasantly surprised that at reasonable speeds (say up to about 15 mph) we are getting the same miles per gallon as we did on the 25. We can get up to 20 to 23 miles per hour (statute miles on inland rivers) on the Willamette. That is a better test than the Columbia because the current is less. We don’t run at that speed long enough to have good fuel data. We bought the boat primarily for river travel and running above 15 mph invites unfriendly visits from snags, deadheads, etc. About 12 mph seems to be a good compromise for speed, fuel economy, engine load, and reasonable arrival times.
We are romantics interested in traditional tugs and workboats. We loved the diesel 25; she was our first power boat and we learned a lot from her. One of the things we learned is that we would rather be on a larger boat when cruising for weeks at a time. We intend to start the Great Loop this year and are glad we made the change.
