C-302 Owners - A Few Q’s - Considering Upgrading

B

BaylorU

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
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R-21
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Grace
Hey Nuts!
Considering upgrading my C-26 to a Cutwater 302. For current 302 owners, curious how A) you’ve handled managing/storing a dinghy...I use mine a lot and need to be able to transport it...easy with the C-30, but the outboards on the 302 change things. B ) does the 302 have hydraulic steering or true power steering? C) would love to hear from any of you who trailer it, and how it had been to pull. I have a trailer for the C-26 and it’s a piece of cake to trailer her, but the 302 is a long boat with the outboards. On the same note, anyone trailer their C-30? I’m certainly considering the 30 Sedan also, but like the better fishing platform of the 302.
Thanks!
Ken
 
BaylorU":151pzlas said:
Hey Nuts!
Considering upgrading my C-26 to a Cutwater 302. For current 302 owners, curious how A) you’ve handled managing/storing a dinghy...I use mine a lot and need to be able to transport it...easy with the C-30, but the outboards on the 302 change things. B ) does the 302 have hydraulic steering or true power steering? C) would love to hear from any of you who trailer it, and how it had been to pull. I have a trailer for the C-26 and it’s a piece of cake to trailer her, but the 302 is a long boat with the outboards. On the same note, anyone trailer their C-30? I’m certainly considering the 30 Sedan also, but like the better fishing platform of the 302.
Thanks!
Ken
Click to expand...
I can only answer- B) I did a sea trial on a C302, it does have true power steering. There is a pump for the autopilot and another for the steering. It handles very easily.
I also did sea trial on a C30, the two boats handle/ride differently. I recommend you take as long a sea trial as you can on each, hopefully with a variety of sea conditions.
 
Interesting...curious how did they ride differently?
 
Have you seen the pictures of the new dinghy rack/launch on the C-32 C? It was introduced at the rendezvous with the new model year boats. Dealers were there from all over the country and should have spec.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
BaylorU":8gy9wfsw said:
Interesting...curious how did they ride differently?
Click to expand...
Other than the fact the 302 is about 25 mph faster than the 30. I found the 30 to have a more stable ride, more 'planted'. It seemed to cut thru the water better/smoother. I also found the 30 tended to run bow high with the stern 'digging a hole' in the water when running at fast cruise speeds. Some folks have said the 30 needs more/bigger trim tab to level the boat out better. The 302 seems to have 2 steps to getting on plane and you can feel each one as you are coming on plane. The 30 only has one step to get on plane. If you look at the hulls, it is obvious why. I am presently considering upgrading from our RT-27OB to either of; RT-29CB, C-30CB or the C32CB. SWMBO is set on the C32CB, I am leaning to the RT-29CB. I like the interior on the RT-29 better, SWMBO likes the galley and the OB's on the C32 better.
 
ixlr8":2jzwi7kq said:
BaylorU":2jzwi7kq said:
Interesting...curious how did they ride differently?
Click to expand...
Other than the fact the 302 is about 25 mph faster than the 30. I found the 30 to have a more stable ride, more 'planted'. It seemed to cut thru the water better/smoother. I also found the 30 tended to run bow high with the stern 'digging a hole' in the water when running at fast cruise speeds. Some folks have said the 30 needs more/bigger trim tab to level the boat out better. The 302 seems to have 2 steps to getting on plane and you can feel each one as you are coming on plane. The 30 only has one step to get on plane. If you look at the hulls, it is obvious why. I am presently considering upgrading from our RT-27OB to either of; RT-29CB, C-30CB or the C32CB. SWMBO is set on the C32CB, I am leaning to the RT-29CB. I like the interior on the RT-29 better, SWMBO likes the galley and the OB's on the C32 better.
Click to expand...

Jim: You will pay far more for the CW vs. the RT.

The RT29CB Lux Edition is listed at $310K
The C30CB Lux Edition with 435 HP Diesel and the C32CB Lux Edition w/2x 300HP OBs both list at $345K

That's a big diff of $35K and make sure SWMBO is aware of this. :lol:
 
I put a 16 ft Kaboat on the roof along with 2 SUPs. Its a little awkward getting it up there but I can manage it pretty easy by my self by pulling it up on the bow first. the Kaboat has 3 seats but manages 4 just fine. it is one of the fastest row boats I have ever rowed and we keep a 6 hp yamy on a mount above the swim step that when installed, will push my wife and I about 12 kts.

That crazy looking mont above the motors would not work for us because it would be too much in the way. But I could see it working for some who don't like to fish.

If you like I can send some picture of our 302 configuration. Also I have some fuel consumption numbers if interested. The factory ones are a little optamistic in my experience

Captain Blok
 
I throw this out in defense of the dinghy lift for fishermen. The aluminum lift portion is only 45 lbs and is easily removed with the removal of the two bolts at the pivot point. You can have the best of both worlds and just leave the lift on the dock when you fish.
 
I guess that makes sense. But you still have to decide whether you’re going to fish or Cruise. I suppose you could leave the dinging at a dock or something so it would not get in the way of fishing. How do you deal with it? Does seem like a great idea for ease of getting your tender in the water.
 
ixlr8":av12b2fj said:
BaylorU":av12b2fj said:
Interesting...curious how did they ride differently?
Click to expand...
Other than the fact the 302 is about 25 mph faster than the 30. I found the 30 to have a more stable ride, more 'planted'. It seemed to cut thru the water better/smoother. I also found the 30 tended to run bow high with the stern 'digging a hole' in the water when running at fast cruise speeds. Some folks have said the 30 needs more/bigger trim tab to level the boat out better. The 302 seems to have 2 steps to getting on plane and you can feel each one as you are coming on plane. The 30 only has one step to get on plane. If you look at the hulls, it is obvious why. I am presently considering upgrading from our RT-27OB to either of; RT-29CB, C-30CB or the C32CB. SWMBO is set on the C32CB, I am leaning to the RT-29CB. I like the interior on the RT-29 better, SWMBO likes the galley and the OB's on the C32 better.
Click to expand...

also I think this is why they added the two extra feet of swim step for the C32: its stern buoyancy and has dramatically helped the ride and top speed
 
We took the 302 out and loved it. Then again we came from a 29 ft Cobalt with twin 5.7 Ltr engines so the handling and speed were very comfortable and familiar. We really liked the dry ride, flat turning and speed particularly with the 1 foot wind chop. We had to remember our reason for going with the CW28 was towing flexibility for many of the smaller ramps and waterways we visit.if we ever slow down the trailering frequency that we do the CW 302 (now the 32 ft version) would be our boat. We also would have to blow out the back wall of our boat shed to accommodate it. 😉
 
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