Express Cruiser to Ranger questions

[agallant80]

Hello Everyone.

I just wanted to stop in and get input from Ranger owners. Currently my wife and I owe a Bayliner 255. It has been a gradual process going from a bowrider to a pocket cruiser now on to something much better. We are going back and forth between two boats.

Boat 1 is a Searay 290. We really like the space, the sexy looks and the area to lounge in the sun. On the downside is the fuel consumption, trailering such a monster, having two motors to maintain, I really don't like Stern Drives and how fast they can break and I hate getting knocked around by a planing hull when it gets choppy.

Boat 2 is a Ranger 25 or 27 (leaning twards the 27). What we like is the fuel consumption, the weight (easy to trailer) the pilot house (extend season) and from what we have seen is the seaworthiness. On the downside side is there is not much room on it for lounging in the sun and its not as big on the inside as the searay.

As for our boating style we will go out to the local lake, lay in the sun, host guests, spend the night etc. Every 6 weeks or so in the summer we will take a long weekend and go out to the ICW in NC, or up to the bay in MD. We take about one really long trip each year. Last year it was the Carolina Loop.

Anyone here go from an express type cruiser to a Ranger? What do you miss? What don't you miss? I would appreciate the input.

Cheers,
-Drew

 

[pugtug613]

I went from a 38 ft. sail boat to a R27. The only thing is the room. I used to have 2 heads, a sette area, a great cockpit and plenty of elbow room. Now I can touch everything without moving. This is my 1st season, so I haven't made any trips or spent the night. But, I am looking forward to a great season. The good thing in a smaller package is way less maintenance.

 

[Mystical]

We went from a Bayliner 2859 to the ranger 29. I think the 29 would be a better comp for the 290 Sea Ray. Hands down, We will never have another express cruiser. I hate the idea of the canvas, we are not fair weather boaters and always got knocked around in the bayliner, but the Ranger just seems to push on through the 3 to 4 foot seas we commonly travel in. as far as the speed issue that so often comes up, We travel with another couple that own a 300 Sea Ray and they usually get to the destination after we do and have a few more bruises. When it gets sloppy, they have to slow down and we just push on through at 17 to 19 knots

 

[pleeson]

Another option is the Cutwater series - likely the 28 foot if you are trailering. Same builder as Ranger Tugs and almost identical features including the economy of a single diesel. A little more in the middle between and express cruiser and a tug. Very comfortable for multi day cruises, fast when required, economical when you have time for poking around, and an adequate cockpit for relaxing in the sun. Nothing bad to say about either Ranger or Cutwater. The Cutwater will give you up to ten knots more on the sprint if that remains an important consideration. Check the R 27, R 29, and C 28 out before making your final call. You will likely love them all and it will be a choice based on little details.

 

[agallant80]

I really like the C30 but there are no used ones on the market and new may be slightly out of our price range.

 

[pleeson]

The C30 also enters the trailering permit realm but beautiful boat.

 

[agallant80]

Whoops meant C28 not 30. The good news is that if we were able to get a c30 NC does not require special permits for wide recreational boats

 

[Irish Mist]

I went from a Sea Ray 290 to a Ranger 29 and miss parts of the 290 but like more about the r29. The biggest issue I have is the night driving being behind the glass all the time is a little more difficult . But boating in November in shirt sleeves is pretty nice while sipping on a coffee I just made. You do lose cockpit space but I use the bow deck area a lot.and the side door is a big plus. As said I dont miss the canvas. The layout for the bedroom is far nicer on the Ranger..The mid cabin works well but I miss the aft cabin in the Sea Ray a bit.. I do miss the speed part sometimes.. But don't miss the repairs and fuel bills... If you are going to trailer a lot it would be easier with the 27..you need permits for the 29 but not a deal breaker. I find the kitchen upstairs is much nicer on the ranger and when rafting with other boats we usually end up on my boat because it is just easier and brighter.
Good luck on your decision I'm glad I got a Ranger Tug. Oh and the 31 has pretty close to the cockpit space of the Sea Ray in case you don't have enough to think about 🙂
Good Luck

 

[Pete]

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong boat but to me it looks as though the Sea Ray 290 (Sundancer?) is no longer in production and from the listings on line, it seems production may have stopped back in 2008 or 2009. If that's correct the poster is considering Sea Rays priced $90,000 or less. That would make a comparison with the Ranger 29 (used ones at least double that price?) somewhat unrealistic. In fact it isn't until you look at older Ranger 25s that you get to a comparable price point. But my knowledge of Sea Rays is very limited so I probably do have the wrong boat.
Pete

 

[agallant80]

Pete,

You have it right. The 290 is out of production and a very well equipped one is around 90K with that said we just don't really like the 280 that replaced it so its more about what we like vs price thought the 90K price point is a nice thing. I know a Ranger 27 will cost around $130-$160K on the used market which is what we will end up doing if we go that direction. We are leaning in that direction. Its not like you get to buy a boat every day so we are going to take our time and do our research. Its turning in to more so a process of elimination for us. There were about 6 boats we were considering but most of them were struck off the list for one reason or another and honestly with the searay between trailering the thing around and feeding it 20 gallons an hour its about to be off the list.

 

[pugtug613]

In my opinion, the main thing should be a diesel engine. They get better fuel economy and they last forever with regular maintenance. Everything else is a matter of what you can afford. Good luck.

Just one point Sea Ray doesn't have bow and stern thrusters!