Folding swim platform

[kisutch]

I'm looking at the R27 as an upgrade to my current boat. I have a 28' slip in the harbor so length is a concern. Does the swim platform fold up? If so does this feature vary by year?
If the platform does not fold then is it difficult to remove? Maybe I would just install it on longer excursions. Thanks!

 

[knotflying]

It folds down and when extended while on the trailer will almost hit the ground. Probably a little over 4 feet when extended.

 

[scross]

If you are asking about the swim platform (not the swim ladder) I believe that it does not fold up for any year of R27. It would be very difficult to remove since the support brackets are bolted through the hull. The overall lenth with the swim platform is 30'1" so getting it into a 28 ft slip would be a problem.

 

[kisutch]

Yes I'm referring to the swim platform (not ladder).
Do all R27s have them as standard from the factory? I'm in Alaska and don't have much use for one. Since it would force me into larger slip then the swim platform is probably a deal breaker for me.

 

[Scuba Too]

Does the marina allow a longer length? In California most marina's allow up to 110% of the slip length. A 31' boat would be fine in a 28' slip. The 30' 1" LOA on the R-27 would be better still. We just bought the R-29 CB which has a 33' 4" LOA. Depending on the marina they may not allow us to go into a 30' slip (very common down here).

Eric

 

[kisutch]

No, that's the problem. Max loa is 28' for my slip. The wait list for a 31' slip is very long.

 

[knotflying]

It folds down and when extended while on the trailer will almost hit the ground. Probably a little over 4 feet when extended.

Sorry about that somehow I missed that you were talking about the platform folding.

 

[NorthernFocus]

If you're open to buying used the 25 classic is the same boat with a shorter cockpit.

 

[StinkerBell]

I could be wrong (would not be the first time) but the 25' once you add the swim platform and the anchor it is a few inches over 28'.




****Just realized this is in Ask The Ranger Factory and not in Chat. Sorry about that, didn't mean to butt in.

 

[scross]

The factory published LOA for both the R25 Classic and R25 SC is 27' 7". Of course when you add a dinghy on the back of the swim platform and this grows a bit. Or if you add a larger anchor!

 

[kisutch]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. What year did they stop making the 25 classic?

 

[scross]

I believe the switch from the R25 Classic to R25 SC was about mid-year 2010. The Classics have Yanmar or Cummins engines ranging from 110 HP to 150 HP. The cabin size of the Classic is about 7-8 inches shorter than the Ranger 27. The cockpit is about 16 inches shorter than the R27. This means the engine is further forward on the boat relative to the wall between cockpit and cabin. Access to the engine is a bit more difficult on the Classic but a number of owners have improved that access. IMHO a 2010 or 2009 Classic with the Yanmar 150 HP engine and Garmin electronics is an excellent and less expensive alternative to a R27. If you were to use it strictly for fishing you might miss the larger cockpit size though...
The R25 SC has the almost the same cockpit size as the R27. It's just 2 feet shorter than the R27 in the cabin.

 

[S. Todd]

We had a similar length concern last year when we ordered our boat. The 25SC fit in the garage, after raising the roof 2 feet, the 27 would have required making the garage longer and a significant cost to the garage remodel project. When we compared the 25SC side by side to the R27 we determined the 25SC would meet our needs just fine. We have spent a total of six weeks on the boat in the last two years (134 total hours on the engine) (232 miles last week alone) and are very pleased with our decision. Once we retire and spend more time on the boat we expect to add a bimini top and perhaps side curtain enclosure for the cockpit.