Advice requested - moving to the dark side

[Pajarito]

I confess as a sail boat owner, there is either no wind, too much wind or wind on the nose! So, I'm moving to the dark side; sold the sail boat, want to buy a tug. I have two questions for any R29 owners that would help me tremendously in selecting a tug:
1) Does anyone know the approximate cost of a trailer suitable for hauling the R29 cross country? Even a ball park estimate would be much appreciated, or point me in the right direction...?
2) I've crossed oceans in my Cabo Rico 40 and Island Packet 45 yacht. There's nothing like a 14,000lb lead keel to keep you stable! But I'm completely ignorant about power boats. So, forgive my ignorance, but is the R29 suitable (safe and/or rated for) near shore ocean passages, such as from Seattle to San Francisco, or Miami to Bahamas? It seems most owners are located in inland waters and appear not to venture on the ocean. Am I wrong?

I may have a bunch more questions better suited to an e-mail chat, but any input in the above would be welcomed. Or, if these topics have appeared previously, please point me at them! Thanks!

 

[ixlr8]

1) Does anyone know the approximate cost of a trailer suitable for hauling the R29 cross country? Even a ball park estimate would be much appreciated, or point me in the right direction...?

If you go to the Ranger Tugs web site and look up the R29, under "more options" you will see a trailer listed for $13,600. This is one all setup from the factory. There are better cheaper options available with a bit of research and work.

 

[Scottfree]

1) Does anyone know the approximate cost of a trailer suitable for hauling the R29 cross country? Even a ball park estimate would be much appreciated, or point me in the right direction...?

I hauled my R29 Classis on a triple axle trailer from Vancouver Island to the Great Lakes. No issue. It's lighter than a Fifth wheel and the trailer tracks nicely. It's over standard width and requires permits depending on where you are towing. Any truck bigger than a half ton should pull it, just read the manufacturers towing specifications for the truck.

2) I've crossed oceans in my Cabo Rico 40 and Island Packet 45 yacht. There's nothing like a 14,000lb lead keel to keep you stable! But I'm completely ignorant about power boats. So, forgive my ignorance, but is the R29 suitable (safe and/or rated for) near shore ocean passages, such as from Seattle to San Francisco, or Miami to Bahamas? It seems most owners are located in inland waters and appear not to venture on the ocean. Am I wrong?

These boats are not sailboats. The near flat bottom and light weight all above the water line makes them stable in light seas. In anything heavy they follow the water. You must head into the waves or quarter them. Beam sea is terribly uncomfortable. That being said the boat stayed afloat. I would not consider more than a day crossing (weather window) in open water. We boat in the protected islands of the PNW in Canada but have made some poor decisions and had very rough days on the water. We did the Great Loop last year and got caught in bad weather in the Gulf of Mexico and again crossing Andrews Bay on the east Coast. The boat will take more than the occupants but it does get tossed around in rough water.

I may have a bunch more questions better suited to an e-mail chat, but any input in the above would be welcomed. Or, if these topics have appeared previously, please point me at them! Thanks![/quote]

Message me anytime, good luck on your choice of boat.

Leon

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Sold my Catalina 380 last year and bought a classic R29 in Dec 2018. For us, the thing we had to adjust to the most was the reduction in general storage space. We love the boat.

 

[Pajarito]

Thanks to all who weighed in. Found the information on trailers - I think this is the most attractive aspect of a smaller power boat. Certainly makes getting from the East to the West coast easier!

Also appreciate the input from the Catalina owner - I was wondering about storage space, especially for clothes and (dare I say it) the Admiral's shoe collection.

I'm going to fly to Seattle and have a look at the R29 and R31. I seem to be a serial boat buyer!

Terry

 

[H28]

went from sail to rt29. the quarter berth or "cave" as we call it in tugnuts land is what we use for storage. we did two weeks in the british columbia with me, my wife and son very comfortably. I think you could easily provision for a solid month for two. maybe longer.. we are still learning what we really need, what we don't need. a friend has a thule car box on their tug. in short, I think it has plenty of storage relative to the range.....