Feedback on Ranger R29 vs Cutwater 30S and 302 Coupe

[Eastside3]

I’ve been an admirer of Ranger tugs for years. Im taking the opportunity to see both lines at the Seatle boat show but I wanted to know what the real world differences are that I won’t be able to see on a showroom.
1. Speed? when fully gased up what’s a realistic cruising speed and top end speed.
2. Visibility? I want to make sure I can clearly see debree in the water and I’m not sure if the tug design puts the bow high to the point of having difficulty spotting the occasional log.
3. Diesel or outboards? I’ve only known outboard. For what the outboards on the 302 Coupe can give in terms of speed, it also adds extra length and limits options for dinghy placement.

I love the Tug look and have only recently seen the Cutwater line. All of these are great looking boats and each has its right place. My questions on speed and visibility are my biggest of immediate concerns, but I’m interested in any feedback about things that owners were happily suprised about as well as dissapointed to find. Again, im looking for insight about the details you can’t learn on a showroom. Thanks all

 

[H28]

1) my 2018 RT29s tops out at 18 knots on flat water with full load (3 adults and a week's worth of provisions)
2) We had no trouble seeing logs and dead heads in three weeks of PNW cruising.
3) Diesels are built to go the distance......

I looked at the Cutwater line, the "skuttlebutt" is that the quality isn't quite up to the Ranger Tug line level......

 

[boaterjoe]

While I am a fan of both the cutwater and the ranger tug, I must take issue with quality control comments about cutwater. I have had no problems with the C-28. NONE. I am looking at ranger tugs 29 and found them all to have leaks and water problems around windows. VERY DISAPPOINTING
boaterjoe

 

[Eastside3]

Boaterjoe, were you looking at the R29 to simply check it out or are you considering upgrading? Just curious as I am always interested in knowing what other boat owners learn of their likes and dislikes along the way. Quality is always something that’s great to ask other owners about. Another thing I know I’m not alone in is simply discovering what type of boating adventures I find appeal to me more and more over time. In my case, I have a dual console, and it was great for what it was..... a first boat. It allowed us to learn that we aren’t waterskiers, we have a draw to be out on the sound rather than tow to lakes. When moored in the sound we were next to a pair of Ranger tugs. Over the past couple years weve been increasingly more interested in expanding our boating range and being able to do things that we simply can’t on our current boat. When I saw videos of Ranger & Cutwater rendezvous it added another dimension of just how cool the boating opportunities would be for us. This is what led me to spending 4 days at the Seattle boat show, talking to manufacturer reps, checking out the Ranger 29 & 31, and the Cutwater 30S and 302 coupe. Lots of borrowed/shared features between them. I can’t speak to any other models beyond the 4 I mentioned, as those where the ones I was focused on.

 

[FlagShip]

Here's my input. We have a 2019 R29CB, took delivery in July.

Speed: Top speed with just me in the boat, full water, full fuel is just under 22kts. Best fast cruise speed is 16 kts, fuel economy is about 1.5 mpg.

Visibility: No issues, great visibility from the command bridge, of course. From the lower helm I have no problems seeing debris in the water. Just adjust the trim tabs to get the bow down a bit.

Diesel/Outboard: I think either is a great choice. I like the durability and economy of the diesel, also that I can service everything with the boat in the water. You're good with either engine set up.

Regarding the quality: You'll see that the Ranger's have fewer issues at delivery. The factory guys go through the boats with a fine tooth comb right before delivery and they take care of any others during the two-days of training. Cutwaters are sold through dealers so you're at their mercy for the initial delivery issues. Keep in mind how much they've packed into these boats, then you throw them in the water, run them through waves, and let them sit outside all the time. There will be issues, but Ranger has been great taking care of ours (about 5 little things).

 

[boaterjoe]

I have a C28 and would like to upgrade to an RT 29 or a C30. both are nice boats. Different styles but many of the same components and bells and whistles. I think the RT is for cruisers who like to fish and the Cutwater is for those who like to fish and sometimes cruise. Just my take on it. Both are built well and have great customer service.
boaterjoe

 

[H28]

It is good to have a Cutwater owner vouch for the quality of the Cutwater boats. But that skuttlebutt is out there. Perhaps more Cutwater owners speaking up will shed a more accurate light......

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

After owning an R27 for about 6 years we moved up in size to the R29S 1 1/2 years ago. Bottom line is we love this boat. What we like, we’re strictly Cruisers, is the 360* visibility from the saloon, the command the boat gets when we ask the VP D 4 to dock, go fast or travel at trawler speeds. Our top end is 22.5 mph. We typically cruise at 8.5 to 10 mph and at this speed we are getting between 2.63 and 2.26 mpg. If we travel much faster then that we may as well cruise at 16 to 17 mph as the fuel burn is about the same... roughly 1.6 to 1.7 mpg. We like the fit and finish, seems to improve every year.

Jim

 

[baz]

Eastside3:

You're in Woodinville.... Hmmmm we lived there for 20 years up on The Farm development in a large Rambler-type house. We downsized to a smaller Rambler and moved to Edmonds around 2010 sometime and now save a HUGE amount on Property Tax that almost buys us a new boat. :lol:

I've only sea trialed a 2019 R29 CB model and I can say with no equivocation it was absolutely convincing and a big improvement over our past Ranger Tug models. This model has to be my last boat for many years. 😉

I will admit, during the sea trial (and it was raining at the time) there was a water leak coming down from the roof line above the helm on starboard side. The RT person (was a bit embarrassed to say the least) onboard with me quickly determined the cause as being a poorly sealed wire coming in from the VHF antenna and would be quickly resolved. Yes, little things like this can be present and RT will and should resolve them pronto for you, especially being close to the Seattle area.

The top speed during the sea trail was at around 27.4 mph (3650 RPM) with wind and current in my favor. I would expect a realistic WOT speed to be at around 22 mph.... and with more than two people, a fuller fuel tank and typical gear stowed onboard the WOT should be around 20 to 22 mph for brief periods running at 3650 RPM. If bottom paint is applied the speed could be a tad lower I suppose.

The 'feel' for this boat is very much to my liking; it feels solid, ploughs effortless into oncoming waves, steering is very smooth, the engine is extremely responsive, can accelerate nicely with a nice push in the seat, is very quiet, bow position easily made up or down with the trim tabs, 360º view all around, no issue seeing in front, command bridge gives a better view of things around you and the boat, nice large cockpit with plenty of seating, and the interior has all the creature comforts one would want.

Suggest you buy one. :lol: ...and move away from the high property taxes in Woodinville. 😉

 

[Cowichan]

I have owned a 2015 R25SC, 2015 Cutwater 28 and now a 2018 Cutwater 30. I have really enjoyed all 3 for different reasons. We were close to buying an R31, but found it visually confining when compared to the new R29 and the Cutwater 30. We settled on the CW 30 for the open glass design, great cockpit room for entertaining or prawning and fishing, and this last Saturday with 3 of us and a half tank of diesel we went 29.8 m.p.h. Not bad. We can slow down and get economies close to that of the other boats at similar speeds, but we have some extra room and speed when we would like. I would upgrade to an R31 if the design was similar to the R29! Love the look of the tugs, but the timeless East Coast design and modern trim of the Cutwater made our decision. We bought the boat with 30 hours on her, and there has been a roof leak, but Cutwater will take care of that with warranty. Our family is very happy with this purchase.
Gordon.

 

[Eastside3]

I have owned a 2015 R25SC, 2015 Cutwater 28 and now a 2018 Cutwater 30. I have really enjoyed all 3 for different reasons. We were close to buying an R31, but found it visually confining when compared to the new R29 and the Cutwater 30. We settled on the CW 30 for the open glass design, great cockpit room for entertaining or prawning and fishing, and this last Saturday with 3 of us and a half tank of diesel we went 29.8 m.p.h. Not bad. We can slow down and get economies close to that of the other boats at similar speeds, but we have some extra room and speed when we would like. I would upgrade to an R31 if the design was similar to the R29! Love the look of the tugs, but the timeless East Coast design and modern trim of the Cutwater made our decision. We bought the boat with 30 hours on her, and there has been a roof leak, but Cutwater will take care of that with warranty. Our family is very happy with this purchase.
Gordon.

Cowichan, funny you say that. We too found the styling of the R29 preferential to the 31. I like the bright interior look of the CW. The CW 30 seems to offer the ability to coast it a moderate speed while being conscious of fuel efficiency, but at the same time has a higher end for times when that’s desired. I have wondered how “fishing friendly” the 30 is. The 302 is Definately set up to handle fishing, and in either case I know no matter which boat I had I’d have a cooler to transfer my catch to. So having a fish box is nice, but if I determine that I’ll bring and mount a cooler on the swim platform of the 30 then that would take the place of a fish box. My wife brought up a great point about the under hatch storage on the 302. That’s not a place to store anything you need to quickly get to, but nonetheless it is attractive to have that storage. Have you done much fishing from your 30? How’s that experience been if so?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

sorry but the idea there is a quality delta between a cutwater and tug is IMHO bogus. same team, same factories, same after care service, same dealers.

my boat has been great, the same issues I have faced are also faced by tug owners- and not unique to liquid motion boats. Boats just need maintenance and repair.

I think the bigger decision is inboard/outboard and whether you want super fast or ability to carry a dingy.
Cut30 gives you both choices.
Only personal design aesthetics will tell you which brand is better for you. Personally: Being under 40; I had to go Cutwater...