Doing sea trial of R29 tomorrow...any tips?

[Someday*]

Have been on the boat already but tomorrow we get to actually take it out on the water with the broker.
I'm sure he will go over everything but wanted to see if folks here had anything we should look out for etc..thank you.
(The boat is a 2020 R29 that the owners have graciously let us use...we are looking at a new R29)

 

[S. Todd]

I suppose it depends on your experience driving boats. If your experience is not with a single inboard. Don't panic with the learning curve docking and leaving the dock. Practice will get you comfortable with that. It will handle slightly differently with following seas than an outboard or IO because of the need to have speed over the rudder to turn, but we found that learning curve very short because there is enough power in the diesel Volvo to give her some power and do what you want. I would concentrate on your comfort at the helm and visibility. It was a big change for us from driving our Sea Rays for decades but we got comfortable with it quickly and prefer cruising under the shelter of the hardtop. We enjoyed our R25 so much we recently upgraded to a R29. When we did our sea trial the questions were in comparison to the R25: Is the visibility as good or better (it was better), is the handling as good or better (it was better in all but flat water when it was equal), was the sound/ vibration as good or better (upon start up and idle the bigger displacement D4 in the R29 was rougher and louder - our R25 with its D3 purred so quietly at idle you often had to look at the tach to make sure it was running - but at operating speeds it was comparable so no problem), when moving around the boat are you comfortable with ergonomics - do you bump into each other or guests in such a manner that it does not work for you (the R29 was better then the R25). Does the size (length and beam) fit where you need it to go both in your home marina(s) and down the highway (if trailering). Answer those questions and whether there is enough $ left in your budget to enjoy the boat without worrying about operating costs and you have the answer of whether to go for it at this time, or not. (If it is bigger than what you have been used to driving expect to feel pressure coming into a slip, but practice should fix that to some extent, and love and use the thrusters as necessary. On open water, the great lakes for us, the bigger size is all a plus and makes handling easier rather than harder. )

 

[Cutwater28GG]

yeah does depend on what you are doing the sea trial for.

I'd treat the sea trial more to make sure the systems are working as expected and you are somewhat comfortable. (you will likely feel nervous as its a new thing) and your skills will improve

make sure the boat gets up to top speed (note RPM and knots - you can compare to what others have posted), make sure there are no excessive vibrations, transmission works fine
no excessive smoke at startup or in use (there may be steam which is OK)
make sure the thrusters work
noise in the cabin suitable for you
balance of the boat in turns and when sitting at idle in open water.
visibility at various speeds

 

[scross]

Remember that the OP is not buying the specific boat he is doing the sea trial in. He’s buying a new boat that hasn’t been built yet. He’s just going out to see what a R29 feels like and to get familiar with the control and systems layout. Not the same thing as doing it for the specific boat you intend to buy.

 

[Someday*]

Thank you all...you especially S. Todd
You describe exactly some of my fears/concerns...although I have been boating for most of my life, I have never piloted a single engine inboard...so docking is one of my major apprehensions. I know with experience it will come...just have to be ready to get that experience.
I had sworn off buying a “new” boat again as the pain of the 1st scratch etc...but this tug just hit me and the wife...I know you shouldn’t make major decisions using emotions but here we are...
Thank you all again.

 

[FlagShip]

We have a 2019 R-29CB. Purchased new from the factory.

Since you're buying new come out to Washington and do the Factory Delivery Experience. Ranger Tug will spend two days with you going over every aspect of the boat and do on the water training with you, including docking.

I can dock ours without using the thrusters, until I'm fully in the slip, then I just use them to snuggle up to the dock for the last foot or so, so my wife can step off. Or if I'm single handing, I take the thruster remote with me and bring the boat to the dock.

 

[Firepara36]

Great Advice from everyone, I have had my 29s for 4 years and love it. You will not regret it.

 

[Someday*]

We have a 2019 R-29CB. Purchased new from the factory.

Since you're buying new come out to Washington and do the Factory Delivery Experience. Ranger Tug will spend two days with you going over every aspect of the boat and do on the water training with you, including docking.

I can dock ours without using the thrusters, until I'm fully in the slip, then I just use them to snuggle up to the dock for the last foot or so, so my wife can step off. Or if I'm single handing, I take the thruster remote with me and bring the boat to the dock.

We’d love to but being so far away (Florida) the broker who we would be purchasing it through will do all of our on the water training over 2 days. He has been with Ranger Tugs for years.