First year review of my R27 2022

[CatNap]

A season has come to a close for our new R27. I just wanted to provide a review of what we loved, didn't love and suggested improvements. I hope the factory is listening.

Things I loved
The hull design. It goes 40MPH and has a smooth ride. Enough said
Transom design - Once we figured out how to get the boat to turn while backing using short bursts of reverse thrust, it was very easy to maneuver. Add to that the walk on feature, shower and a decent fishing platform
Dinette - such a nice set up for a boat this size. We have had many memorable meals already
Galley - One of our big motivators for buying this boat.
Station battery - No generator, no noise no maintenance

Things that could use some slight improvement
Garmin system is very complex. A printed manual would have been a nice thing to have so I could make notes and study away from the system
Bedroom lights - It would be nice to have a switch to turn on reading lights. With the Yacht bed mattress installed, it can be a big reach to turn them on
Cockpit - Lack of any lighting back there is an issue.
Grill cover - we only open the cover when the outboard is up over fear of snapping the lid off

Things that should be addressed
The TV - This could do so much more, blue tooth connectivity, connection to Garmin and Fusion. Besides that, I can't hear it over the air conditioner, I would love to play TV audio of the Fusion.
Battery monitor - No issue with the device, it just seems that no one can actually explain what it does. In general, there was poor details on how lithium batteries actually function. Once I understood what SOC actually meant and how meaningless voltage drop was, I was happy with the system, but what a learning curve
Privacy curtain for berth - I am sure there is a better design out there than a sheet you stick up with Velcro and hassle to stow.
Solar gain - the window coatings are nice but while keeping glare out, they get steaming hot to the point the AC can't keep up. Again, I imagine there are better products out there

As for my overall impressions - Not a day goes by that we regrate our purchase. With the capabilities to travel, sleep, cook and entertain it has just been an awesome year.

Marc and crew of the Cat Nap

 

[Andrew Custis]

Thank you for posting on the forum and thanks for tagging the factory! I have taken notes on your list and agree with a few of them which I think are easily solvable. I have asked that Winter Island Yachts reach out to you directly to help you with some of the customizations you are after along with some knowledge that I think will help. They are great to work with and I know are happy to answer any questions any time you might get stumped.

For the manuals, one thing I have done as it seems paper manuals are quickly going away is to put all of them in one place where you could download them to a tablet or similar that you might keep on the boat to review all of the different systems. Better than the paper manuals we place in the Ranger Tug bags you get! Here is where you can download them for the R27.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f109t5jeqlvb ... GDe4a?dl=0

Best regards,

 

[WinterIslandYY]

Marc,
I was reading your post and know we can help with some of your comments.
I understand with regards to the Garmin manual that it would be nice to have a printed version. You can go on the Garmin web site, download the manual and then print it yourself. There is a way to get it loaded onto a Tablet as well but I will have to get the particulars for this and get back to you.
I believe the v-berth light wiring is such that you could install a switch in line and, leaving the lights on, then one could turn them off and on where your shoulders are. I believe, means that I would have to do a little digging to layout how to do it.
Cockpit lighting could be done with some LED lights with their own batteries? i will need to go over this with you to come up with some suggestions.
the grill cover is meant to be opened with or without the engine's support. Of course one would not put anything too heavy on it, but you can filet a fish on it, etc.
As I understand from the factory, 12VDC TVs don't have the blue tooth option and leaving them on if they did might be a heavy drain on the batteries. Swap out for a 110VAC and you could get a smaller one with the capabilities you want.
Winter storing Lithium batteries are not much different than storing other types as I read on the Dakota site, here is the link; https://dakotalithium.com/2018/12/14/ho ... m-battery/
I would be pleased to talk with you further on these and any other items.

Cheers,
Peter Haywood, Winter Island Yacht Yard, 978 745-3797, 5
PS I hope everyone has a great, tummy filling and blessed Thanksgiving!