Advice on new purchase R-31CB

[Joethechef]

We are purchasing a new RT31CB Luxury package and we have a few questions about add on features.
1. what is the low speed module for and is it worth it?
2. The garminGXM53 weather ant is extra what does it do and is it worth it? We plan on cruising the coast.
3. Are the carpet runners worth getting? My wife is worried it is a trip hazard for her.
4. Best place to get fitted sheets for the cabin beds? we know where to get the expensive ones.
5 does anyone regret not getting the freezer? We are currently planning on not getting one but thought we might ask.
6. Is there anything you wish you had done or would do differently regarding options?

Thank you for helping. We are looking forward to delivery in September! So we still have a chance to add on if needed.

 

[BradOwens]

I will answer some of your questions, and leave others for someone else.

The low speed option is for trolling. In the Pacific Northwest, trolling for salmon is common. I'm not sure what fish species In your area would require low speed trolling.

The carpet runners are nice for keeping sand and grit from scratching the teak and holly decks. We've never had a problem with tripping on them.

We don't have a freezer on our R29, and have never missed having one. We just plan our meals accordingly.

 

[Haifisch]

Hey Joe,

We bought an R31S (2014, but little has changed)

Re. Carpet runners: Absolutely for the salon, not at all a tripping hazard. Really warms things up and protects the flooring. Absolutely not for the cockpit. Even with a full enclosure, it seemed to always be a soggy mess. It ended up in the dumpster. There are better options for the cockpit. Either leave it as is with the non-skid or spend about $1500 getting a closed cell foam option like Raptor Deck installed.

Re. Low speed option. Minimum wake speed is about 2.5 knots which is a little fast for salmon and the option lets you go a little slower. The down riggers mounts needed for trolling are too far forward. The R31 is not as good for this type of fishing as would be a cut water.

Other options:
-I thought I wanted a cockpit helm for docking, but the boat I bought didn’t have that. I don’t think I would use it that much but it might be kind of handy at times.
-Full enclosure is really nice for the winter. We take the sides off in the summer.
-The wine cooler wasn’t much of a fridge. Ours was removed and replaced with a door that added a lot of storage space.

Enjoy the new boat!

 

[SJI Sailor]

We don't have an R31 but a C30, and some of the questions apply. I find that the low speed trolling mode makes docking and marina movements much easier, and more predictable, with less risk of accidentally hitting the throttle too much. So I would definitely get that again, even though we do not fish or troll as such.

Big +1 for full cockpit enclosure, at least in cooler areas such as here in the Pacific Northwest. That makes the boat much nicer year round.

 

[Sweet Peas]

The carpet runners are good and protect the flooring, if it was a trip hazard I would have done it! For the cockpit area we have a Waterhog rug from Lands End and it works great.
For our sheets a sailboat friend said "go to Bed, Bath and Beyond and get the stretchy sheets". If you just go to the store and ask for the stretchy sheets they know what you mean. I did not keep the package. They aren't perfect but they sure work and you can coverup the overflow with a good comforter.

 

[Dubs]

We have the 2018 R31S.

1. Low Speed troll is a must have for trolling. The lowest speed without the L/S option is around 3 knots; with the L/S the speed is half that, which gives the boat better control and is better for targeting most salmon species.
2. Can't answer RE the antenna but the AIS option on the Garmin is a huge safety plus. We have run in fog, so between the AIS and the radar, we can "see" the ferries and other obstacles around us.
3. Ditto to all the ++ comments on the carpet runners. Downside is you don't see the beautiful wood floors, and the carpets collect dog fur, but at least the hardwood is protected!
5. I'd rather have a freezer than (a) the wine cooler or (b) the little outside fridge.

6.1 I went without the aft steering station and still think that was the right call, even for fishing.
6.2 Do you need a dingy? If so, consider an upgraded winch system that allows your dingy motor to stay on the dingy.
6.3 Aft enclosure adds outdoor living space, although we experience water leakage due to the roof/gutter design.
6.4 Adding a second solar panel would be a plus for longer cruising in the shoulder seasons. Whether additional power would add to battery life, not sure. Even being very conservative with power usage, we're having house battery issues after only 2 years.

 

[H28]

R29s carpet runner is the opposite of a tripping hazard. think of it as non-skid... a must.
- cockpit carpet: No. PITA. mine is in the basement.
- Low speed: see above.
-aft cockpit steering station: only if fishing.
-cockpit ice maker: love it
-wine cooler: if you like wine.... my cousin has a vineyard, we drink a lot of wine...but I may take it out for the Great Loop trip.....

 

[Joethechef]

Thanks for all whom responded. We have ordered the inside carpet only. The low speed option we found can be put ion easy afdter the delivery so we will hold off on that. we have not decided thew freezer yet but thanks for the input. As for the other options we still haven't decided but we have time. Thanks again and maybe we will see some of you on the water.

joe & Dorothy

 

[ixlr8]

Thanks for all whom responded. We have ordered the inside carpet only. The low speed option we found can be put ion easy afdter the delivery so we will hold off on that. we have not decided thew freezer yet but thanks for the input. As for the other options we still haven't decided but we have time. Thanks again and maybe we will see some of you on the water.

joe & Dorothy

You might want to check on price to add low speed option after delivery vs ordering it with the boat. A friend had the low speed option added after he had the boat. It was easy to add, but he found it stupid expensive.

 

[Burlington]

I can offer some feedback on your questions. Please note that are requirements are somewhat different. We live on our 29S (2018) in PNW 5 months a year. We are based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; left Sidney, BC 6 weeks ago on our boat and now in Broughtons, BC (Central coast of British Columbia). We purchased the boat to meet two needs - boating for 7- 10 days at anchor in BC islands/back to the store for fuel/food/water etc/ back out again. In 2 years we will moving the boat back east and doing the great loop starting in Chicago in the next 2 years.

1. We did not purchase the low speed module. Two reasons - we use the space for storage (you can never have enough storage) and we do not need for trolling.
2. We have the Garmin GMX53. Two reasons - we do not receive any radio signal in most places we travel. We have ongoing access to Sirius radio. We move our subscription from our truck to the boat for 5 months. We also subscribed to Sirius weather last year. Once set-up, it integrates well with our Garmin charts. The issue is - expensive and not reliable in Central BC. We did not renew this summer. We will try again when we move east.
3. We have carpet runners in back and inside. Highly recommend - keeps our feet warm; easy to keep clean - just vacuum; look good! We have in back, but never gets wet - we have full canvas in the back to stay warm and dry.
4. We have a custom 2 fitted bottom sheets; custom mattress topper; custom bedspread from Yacht Bedding - excellent products and service. This is a great choice and could not sleep without it. The top sheets are queen size.
5. We have the inside freezer/fridge and outside freezer. Excellent choice - a must! We need both and the outside freezer can be turned down and used as a fridge.
6. We had installed prior to delivery:
- Second Garmin GPS Map XSV display. Having two displays was a must and we use both displays constantly.
- Xantrex Pro link battery monitor. Excellent visual for overnight anchoring.
- Rocna 15 anchor c/w 135 of chain and 200 rope.
- 350' 3/8' stern tie line
- Magna inferred BBQ
- Diesel furnace. A must in PNW in the morning and night.
- Factory installed generator c/w reverse heat/AC. We use the generator every second day when anchoring. The A/C will be used when we travel back east and south.
- Installed prior to delivery - full canvas c/w strata glass; and 3 bug screen inserts (will use when we travel back east).
- Sea Wise davit system c/w 9.9 outboard/9' inflatable CL290 Hyp Highfield dinghy c/w lockage bow locker - front locked storage for gas. A must. Use it daily. Custom rope bridle
- We installed to bike racks for our mountain bikes - on roof - great exercise; travel to see the towns and backroads.
- Two 11' Advanced Elements DS-XL series inflatable kayaks - sit on roof; fit well; no need to special holders. Use all the time. Very easy to load and off load. (Very best kayak we have ever used - very stable in poor weather; lightweight; excellent tracking; keep inflated for the season; off load in less then 2 minutes and ready to go!

I hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your new boat.

Stoney Lake Explorer
Nicola and Scott Hayzelden
stoneylakeexplorer@gmail.comScott Hayzelden