Cutwater 26 or 28

[jgjhhi]

We have been looking to move up to a larger boat ever since we fell in love with boating when we purchased a new 19 foot cc last summer for our 30th anniversary. We came across Cutwater as my husband really likes the Downeast style boat. We live in Hilton Head ,SC and are Massachusetts transplants for 20 years. We are looking for a boat that we can still take out on our local waterways ( we have shallow creeks and rivers along with the Inter Coastal and Atlantic) for a couple of hours at a time and also take long weekend trips up or down the Intercosatal (FL- NC or beyond). We would also like to trailer the boat down to Jupiter or Ft Pierce and take it down to the Abacos (Elbow Cay) and use own there.

Our home marina has both slips and dry storage. We would like to use both.

What are the main differences between the 26 and 28? which is better fuel efficient? Are there main differences the way it handles in both calm or Atlantic chop? What is the worst wave/wind conditions each boat 26 and 28) can comfortably handle?

Any suggestions would be great as we are also considering twin engine outboard boats such as Pursuit, Edgewater, Scout and Robalo so our grown children can wake skate, tube and occasionally fish.

 

[rt11002003]

Can't help with the Cutwaters. However, I'd suggest looking at the Ranger R27 Tug. Another boat to look at is the Rosborough RF-246. Both are shallow draft, a shade over 2 ft., which is handy for your waters. Either vessel should satisfy your stated requirements.

gene

 

[GulfSailor]

We have been looking to move up to a larger boat ever since we fell in love with boating when we purchased a new 19 foot cc last summer for our 30th anniversary. We came across Cutwater as my husband really likes the Downeast style boat.............What are the main differences between the 26 and 28?

The short answer is 2 feet 😛 .
Seriously though, the cabin is virtually the same in both, the difference being the area on the port side of the 'v'-berth that on the C28 houses a sink, second microwave, and coffee maker, whereas on the C26 it's devoted to seating.

The cockpit is a different matter. That's where the two feet come in, and for such a small measurement the difference it actually makes is huge.

I suggest you go to the Cutwater site: http://www.cutwaterboats.com and study the 'Virtual Tour' for both boats to see for yourself.

As well as a major reduction in storage and engine access, in the C26 you also lose the ability to specify a second steering station, which also houses a sink/cockpit shower and additional storage.

The C26 uses a smaller engine than the C28 but I don't have its performance figures handy.
Our C28 maxes out at just under 30 knots with the two of us on board, and cruises comfortably on the plane between 18-25 knots, and it idles along very happily on our local Florida waterways at 3 knots.

For the small percentage in extra cost compared to the C26, I believe the C28 offers a much better value for money, but as always these things come down to an individual and personal decision.

Check out the aforementioned website and see what you think. 😉

 

[GulfSailor]

Here's the official list of differences between the two which has just come into my possession. 😉