Diesel vs Outboard

[Jfrano]

So the wife and I have been looking at a towable boat for sometime. Currently have a 17 ‘ Monarch. The Ranger/Cutwater caught our eye quickly. My dad having been a commercial Tug Boat Captain on the East Coast, for Poling Brothers and Moran, makes the tug all the more desirable. One issue is the choice between Outboard vs Diesel engine. The diesel is desirable, however its low operating speed to achieve great efficiency seems unrealistic.
Until we retire in 5 years we plan on towing from North Jersey for weekend use to the Jersey Shore, Montauck, Lakes, Cape May for Maryland/DC use.
Once we retire we anticipate doing the Great Loop in segments.
Another is the tow vehicle required for the R27 ; 2019 1500 model or 2500 (yet to purchase).

Thanks for the input, thoughts, experiences,
Joe

 

[Barerootsbob]

Hi Joe
A 1/2 ton truck isn’t going to be up to the job for a boat that size. You would be better off chosing between a 3/4 ton and a one ton truck. Hopefully one with four wheel drive. And as far as the truck goes it’s diesel all day. Good luck with the truck and boat. Your going to have to make some awesome choices.
Bob

 

[scross]

Joe,
Diesel vs outboard is a simple decision.

Do you expect to use a mooring buoy or anchor out a lot? If so, get a diesel and a dinghy mounted to the swim platform.

If just going from marina to marina - get an outboard. RT has not yet figured out how to put a inflated dinghy on the swim platform of an outboard. Yes, folks have put dinghy in the sports rack or they use kayaks but that is not the same as having an easily deployed dinghy on the swim platform.

Others will disagree with my assessment and that’s just fine.

And yes, you will need a 3/4 or one ton truck properly equipped to tow that load!

 

[knotflying]

Keep in mind that the outboard model is considerably longer than the inboard. There are pros and cons with each and it is a matter of picking your poison. If you want diesel you will have to go used if you are looking at a 27 or smaller.

 

[Monopoly]

Hi Joe,
Sounds like you have similar plans to ours (except I have 10 years to retirement :-( ) My wife and I plan on doing the great loop when we retire but for now we are limited to weekends and vacations for boating. For that reason, we wanted a boat that could be easily towed to wherever we wanted and could get places quickly on the water when needed. After a ton of reasearch (on here and all over the internet) and driving several Ranger Tugs, we traded our 210 Dauntless in last September on our Ranger Tugs 2018 R27. My lease on my truck was up so I purchased a 1-ton gas truck to tow it with. We decided on the R-27 based on its quiet running, ease of maintenance, shallow draft and ability to get 1.9 mpg @ 30mph. I decided on a gas 1-ton based on the lack of diesel smell, ease of maintenance and $10,000 lower price tag. I also drive 5 miles to work daily. Diesels do not like that.
We love our R-27 OB and our 1-ton. Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

Jerry

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Joe,

For me the choice was simple, after we chose the size boat that would accommodate our lifestyle. The vessel had to be trailerable for several reasons: keeps bottom free of sea life and gives us greater flexibility in selection of departure ports that suits our float plan. The real motivating factor in selecting our 2019 R27-OB was destination rather journey. At 30 mph you still see the journey, and if you choose to slow down, you can. Some diesels have no choice. but they do have the time to enjoy the journey more thoroughly.

Destination versus journey. It's your choice!


Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2