We have a deposit on a new C-302 Coupe through our local dealer (Pocket Yachts in Jensen Beach). We are trying to do as much due diligence as possible. I have read some negative comments about the Cutwater’s build quality, reliability and resale value. However, I realize that online posts are not always accurate. Does anyone have any thoughts on the build quality, reliability and resale value of the Cutwaters in general or the C-302 Coupe in particular?
Cutwater’s build quality, reliability and resale value
- Thread starter Heaaron
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Eric R
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I love our 2017 Cutwater 28 (also purchased through Pocket Yacht). I don’t really have anything negative to say about it, but there are some areas I wish had better attention to detail from the factory. Nothing major. Some areas of nonskid look like they didn’t pull out of the mold clean, some fasteners needed tightened, and the u-bolt for the tow strap wasn’t tightened down all the way. That’s the one that bugs me the most and has me almost afraid to have it hauled again. When Pocket Yacht hauled me out to touch up some bottom paint the bolt started pulling out of the hull, bending the bolt and metal plate. The tech was able to get the bolt tightened down and mostly pull things back into place, but it isn’t perfect. The factory was contacted and we were told they would send a new plate and bolt “when they came across one”. That was last July and I haven’t heard anything since. Other than that, great boat for us so far! Pocket Yacht has been great to us. Glad to be part of the family and I’m sure you will love it as well!
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Eric R
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To be honest I haven’t raised the issue yet, but plan to once this season gets underway. It’s honestly one of those things that might not be worth worrying about, and trying to “fix” it might end up making it worse. Basically if you look at some small patches of the non-skid area it looks like the raised bumps are deteriorated. As a result those couple small areas are not as white as everything else, which is actually how it got my attention in the first place.
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scross
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A really good gel coat person can not only do a amazing color match but also fair the new gel coat into the old in a way that’s pretty hard to detect - even if you know exactly where he/she did the work. Had some serious hull scratches (up to 1/2” wide by 6’ long) on my former Monterey 242Cruiser repaired in Corpus Christi at the time of purchase. After the work was done (1 day) it was like it never even happened.
Boatagain
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Heaaron":3f5539fz said:
I’ve had two Fluid Motion boats, a 2014 Ranger Tug 25SC and my current 2016 Cutwater 30LE. Both were bought new from Pocket Yachts in Maryland. Both were of excellent quality, not perfect (what is?), but beautifully made with high quality components and attention to detail. After the sale customer service has been spectacular and, IMO, greatly adds to the value of the purchase.
May I respectfully ask, where did you read the negative comments that caused you concern and what did they say?
Cutwater28GG
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I dont know of any boat anywhere in the world that comes out of the factory perfect. Boats are limited run complex hand made items. Every new boat has teething issues from every manufacturer.
What matters is the post sale support from the factory and dealer which Fluid motion is great at.
What matters is the post sale support from the factory and dealer which Fluid motion is great at.
Boatagain":3lp4mkmt said:
Sorry for my delay in responding. Some of the most negative comments were posted on TheHullTruth site at https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-fo ... boats.html
jkhiser
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There is no information on what is wrong in that link, just general statements.
Let me look at this the other way, if Ranger / Cutwater quality was not good, how would you get this community of people that are so enthusiastic about their boats, who repeatedly trade up or down through the range of boats, who help each other, who get together for rendezvous.
A boat is not like a car. Car production volume allows automation, near complete lock down of build quality, and more importantly supplier control. Even the best designed boat is hand built by artisans, the builder is just another customer to many suppliers, and you will always find something that can be corrected. Yes, you will find some heat shrink that did not get their heat, a missing bolt here or there.
Here are a few things that show the Ranger / Cutwater design and build quality:
- wiring runs are very neat, every wire labeled at both ends (compare this to the squirrels nests / gorgons knots you sometimes see in other boats)
- solid fiberglass build, no wood core (number one killer of old boats - I have owned an old Egg Harbor, and have spent my time trying to get water out of the core)
- Standardizing the electronics and options install, helping minimize new owner surprises, and extending the wiring quality to the electronics.
My one argument would be the over reliance on screws into the solid fiberglass for fastening. It does simplify build.
One design tradeoff is the number of systems vs amount of space. But there is a way to access everything. I can get the forward engine room bulkhead down in a few minutes, much easier than trying to work blind on the front end of the engine.
I bought a five year old C-28, which seems to have been maintenance challenged. Just posting my observations on Tugnuts, I have had the factory reach out to me with assistance. And five years in, to restock maintenance supplies, just send a spread sheet to the factory. Find either of these with another brand.
With fundamental quality built in, the killer of resale value is lack of maintenance, or maintenance poorly done, poor install of new systems, and not pursuing leaks aggressively.
— Do not let Kalamity Kenny install your AIS system, or use his 48 volt power drill to reinstall screwed panels. If you can tell the mess of new wires over the neat factory work, get someone to redo the work correctly.
— If you do not do your own maintenance, be involved, and find someone who has pride in their work. My first engine tech on my Egg Harbor always left the engine room looking like a hurricane passed. Tired of cleaning up after him, I slowly took over and learned the 454s. I am slower, but I am neater and more thorough doing my own maintenance.
— Look in all compartments frequently, spend time on the boat in the rain. Keep after the inevitable leaks.
Water, wind, sun, and Kalamity Kenny will eventually win — we just try to hold them at bay for a while.
Let me look at this the other way, if Ranger / Cutwater quality was not good, how would you get this community of people that are so enthusiastic about their boats, who repeatedly trade up or down through the range of boats, who help each other, who get together for rendezvous.
A boat is not like a car. Car production volume allows automation, near complete lock down of build quality, and more importantly supplier control. Even the best designed boat is hand built by artisans, the builder is just another customer to many suppliers, and you will always find something that can be corrected. Yes, you will find some heat shrink that did not get their heat, a missing bolt here or there.
Here are a few things that show the Ranger / Cutwater design and build quality:
- wiring runs are very neat, every wire labeled at both ends (compare this to the squirrels nests / gorgons knots you sometimes see in other boats)
- solid fiberglass build, no wood core (number one killer of old boats - I have owned an old Egg Harbor, and have spent my time trying to get water out of the core)
- Standardizing the electronics and options install, helping minimize new owner surprises, and extending the wiring quality to the electronics.
My one argument would be the over reliance on screws into the solid fiberglass for fastening. It does simplify build.
One design tradeoff is the number of systems vs amount of space. But there is a way to access everything. I can get the forward engine room bulkhead down in a few minutes, much easier than trying to work blind on the front end of the engine.
I bought a five year old C-28, which seems to have been maintenance challenged. Just posting my observations on Tugnuts, I have had the factory reach out to me with assistance. And five years in, to restock maintenance supplies, just send a spread sheet to the factory. Find either of these with another brand.
With fundamental quality built in, the killer of resale value is lack of maintenance, or maintenance poorly done, poor install of new systems, and not pursuing leaks aggressively.
— Do not let Kalamity Kenny install your AIS system, or use his 48 volt power drill to reinstall screwed panels. If you can tell the mess of new wires over the neat factory work, get someone to redo the work correctly.
— If you do not do your own maintenance, be involved, and find someone who has pride in their work. My first engine tech on my Egg Harbor always left the engine room looking like a hurricane passed. Tired of cleaning up after him, I slowly took over and learned the 454s. I am slower, but I am neater and more thorough doing my own maintenance.
— Look in all compartments frequently, spend time on the boat in the rain. Keep after the inevitable leaks.
Water, wind, sun, and Kalamity Kenny will eventually win — we just try to hold them at bay for a while.
eric9603":3nacoqrt said:
Hey There Eric!
Email me some photos of the damage to the stainless and the u-bolt and I'll find out why the parts haven't arrived yet. Cutwater recently streamlined their parts ordering and things have been getting out to customers very quick lately!
Thanks,
Tony Schulstad
Pocket Yacht Company
A few follow-up questions for those of you that have a 30 footer . . .
1. Frig. Are you able to fully open the freezer door? Also, we you able to empty the freezer drip pan without spilling it? On the 302 we looked at the frog/freezer seemed to be installed in a manner that prevented the frig door from opening fully. As a result, it seemed that it was not possible to fully open the freezer door or to remove the drain pan without spilling it.
2. Head A/C. Is there an air conditioning vent in the head. I did not see one.
3. Head towel bar. Has anyone found a way to hang two damp bath towels in the head? On the boat we looke at the towel bar seems too small for two bath towels. Of course, if there is no A/C, I’m not sure how the towels would ever dry (at least here in Florida).
Thx.
1. Frig. Are you able to fully open the freezer door? Also, we you able to empty the freezer drip pan without spilling it? On the 302 we looked at the frog/freezer seemed to be installed in a manner that prevented the frig door from opening fully. As a result, it seemed that it was not possible to fully open the freezer door or to remove the drain pan without spilling it.
2. Head A/C. Is there an air conditioning vent in the head. I did not see one.
3. Head towel bar. Has anyone found a way to hang two damp bath towels in the head? On the boat we looke at the towel bar seems too small for two bath towels. Of course, if there is no A/C, I’m not sure how the towels would ever dry (at least here in Florida).
Thx.