Advice on purchasing an R-23

[cdalldorf]

We are looking at purchasing an R-23 and was hoping to get some thoughts about purchasing a new or used vessel.
We live in the San Juan Islands and this will be our first boat. I have a lot of experience on many power vessels as a crewmember and I have been on every model of Ranger Tug doing vessel safety inspections with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The R-23 would completely fit our needs (although there is a big temptation to purchase an R-21 because of fuel economy).

We are looking at vessels now but certainly going to the Seattle Boat Show in January and hoping to purchase in winter of spring 2019.

Thanks for your great forum and all the sharing here. Excited to join the fleet.

Chuck

 

[Hamster]

Chuck - I just got a 2019 R23 and will be based out of Bellingham. When trying to determine whether to buy new or used, Andrew detailed some changes they have in the 2019 versus a 2017. Here is his list:

Regarding our boat, we have made hundreds of changes but here are some of the ones that are big to me.

1. Switch panels all changed to match dash.

2. V-berth door is now a bi-folding door making the filler cushion usable and MUCH easier to get in and out.

3. The dash is now upgraded and has a teak face to it that looks really nice.

4. The vberth cushions went from being two long cushions that were nearly impossible to get out and access storage to a four piece that is much more user friendly.

5. Cabin door has been modified to open and close much better.

6. Added bilge pump to motor pod. The 2017 does not have it.

7. Stereo system is upgraded and now controllable through app on Iphone or Android device.

8. Upholstery has changed and has an upgraded look.

9. Bimini top over the back that is now standard equipment is 12" longer.

10. Swim platform mold has changed where the engine mounts is now lower making the boat easier to get on plane. Also has an integrated well for the kicker should it ever be installed.

11. Depending on how early this is, engine could be mechanical instead of electronic. Display is now a new style for engine and integrated into electronics to view fuel usage and other instrument gauges.

12. Bilge pump brand changed to much more reliable units. Same with shower sump pumps.

13. When diesel heat is added, we added heat to the defrost at the dash which makes a BIG difference in winter time cruising.

14. Cabin door opening catch used to be glued to the door and fell off. We changed the glass and now mechanically bolt them on.

15. Fuel tank upgraded to 78 gallon tank.

 

[oneeyedjackass]

Get the bow thuster. You won't be sorry you did. (thx Andrew!) 🙂

 

[jagizzi]

Hi Chuck,

I would consider Radar a must have, autopilot is almost in that same category.

If you can talk Ranger into cutting a hatch for you under the microwave that is a great upgrade.

If you can talk Ranger into mounting a propane locker on the swim step that would be nice. The small one from a Cutwater.

I would get AIS 600 if I had it to do over again.

Having the Scotty pads and power ports gives you some useful mounting points for stuff.

 

[jagizzi]

My phone only allows posts of a certain length, so I'll continue here ;-)

I am not convinced of the utility of the Solar Panel. It complicates a dinghy, greatly! So far, we have never spent 2 nights on the hook without starting the motor. I could see it happening but if we needed to run the motor to have access to power then so be it.

I am with Mark on the Bow Thruster. Can't imagine the boat without it.

I don't know if Friday Harbor is big enough for two 23's, are you sure you folks don't want to get the 41 and then we can swap as needed ;-)

Have fun with the search and we look forward to boating with you folks next year.

Jim

 

[jagizzi]

One last point about R23 vs R21, if you limit yourself to R21 speeds in the R23 you can get very similar mileage, it's just unlikely that you'll go that slow all the time, but then, that is the 23s advantage, flexibility 🙂

 

[Ernie]

Hi
I bought a new 2018 r23, and of course love it. I got a good boat show price, so I was happy about that. My friend just bought a used 2017 r23 with around 130 hrs on the engine. He got a pretty good price . I think he paid maybe 114k , got a trailer, kicker and solar thrown in. The first 130 hrs shaved probably 20 k + off the new price.
Either way you go, have fun. It’s been in production long enough to have allowed some resales on the market. They can save you money. If you see one jump on it, they sell fast.

 

[cdalldorf]

Thank you all for taking the time and your detailed thoughts and comments.

This is a very helpful discussion and very generous in your time and sharing of experiences.

Cheers and see you on the water soon.

Chuck

 

[crowleykirk]

Those are all big changes to the new R23. So glad Ranger is listening to it's customers and making changes as needed even though the 23 is still very new.

Happy Holidays🙂

 

[ixlr8]

Thank you all for taking the time and your detailed thoughts and comments.

This is a very helpful discussion and very generous in your time and sharing of experiences.

Cheers and see you on the water soon.

Chuck

The options you get on the boat will depend on how your are going to use the boat. For example, if you are just going to take day trips, or be at a dock every night where you can "plug in", there is not much reason to get a solar panel. If you are going to spend a bit of time, "on the hook", then a solar panel would be nice to have. We have a solar panel on our boat, haven't spent much time on the hook yet, but we don't plug into shore power. We rely on the solar panels to keep batteries charged and after a season our zinc's look brand new. I know some folks who are plugged into shore power 98% of the time and change their zincs twice a season. We have a bow thruster on our 27OB, wouldn't be without it, but do wish it was more powerful. The wind and tidal flows here can easily over power it. Adding one after the fact would be a bit expensive.
Good luck in your search.

 

[jagizzi]

Hey Chuck, you could always get back on the boat, at least this week, if you had any questions. Let me know.

Jim

 

[Squid]

I have an early R23 and we love it. All the changes listed for 2019 would make our boat better.

Agree with previous comments that the bow thruster is a necessity. The boat doesn’t turn as readily at very slow speeds as you might think a boat of this length would.

I’d also opt for a 250 upgrade to the Yamaha. A little extra push would be welcome getting out of the hole.

The described upgrades to the swim grid sound awesome and I wish our boat had these design features.

Also would be great to have the forced air to the windshield. We can typically clear the condensation by cracking the windows open a tad when it’s cold.

Overall, happy with the boat, but all the revisions for 2019 sound good. Nice to see the factory working to optimize the design.

Unrelated photo of our cruise yesterday, cracking through a bit of surface ice.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gwbru]

My wife and I just purchased a new 2019 R23 and are anxiously awaiting spring here in New Jersey. I really appreciate all of the improvements that are mentioned. Unfortunately, my V-berth door is still one solid piece, not a bi-fold, must have missed the the changeover.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jagizzi]

Congrats on your boat purchase Gwbru! You'll love it!

Cutting the bifold door is very straightforward. I wrote up the project, along with a few other R23 mods at www.nwesterly.com.

Good luck with the wait for the boat and weather to use it, it will be tough 🙂

Jim

 

[MACHAYA21]

Hi Mr Gwbru,
Please check your personal message on your profile page.

 

[joelcop]

I am also considering purchase of an R23. I have two questions for other owners:
How practical is it to use the forward shower? Does the curtain work to keep the whole area from flooding?
How uncomfortable is the boat in something like 4 foot seas?

Joel

 

[Champ]

I am also considering purchase of an R23. I have two questions for other owners:
How practical is it to use the forward shower? Does the curtain work to keep the whole area from flooding?
How uncomfortable is the boat in something like 4 foot seas?

Joel

Not practical for us but everyone has different expectations.

Never in 4 foot seas but 1.5/2 not fun. I don't think it would be fun in a 31'?

 

[Salish Seaker]

We bought Island Time a little more than a year ago. It's a beautiful boat and handles chop very well, much smoother than our previous boat. Four footers on most boats would be uncomfortable.

Having a shower on board feels like a luxury and the shower curtain and the overhead cover works well. I love it. A little tight but doable.

I would love the new improvements, but like most things these days, you just can't keep up with the all of the upgrades. Oh well...

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Ernie]

Same as Salish seeker
The shower isn’t used much, but I find it more appealing than some marina showers. Pretty nice treat at anchor
Comfort is so relative. An R23 gets up and flys on flat water, but in 4’ seas at 8 to 10 mph the ride is not what I call uncomfortable. I won’t go faster than 15 mph when it’s too choppy to be comfortable.