Foredeck access on a R25 or R27

[LittleWing]

We trailer sail a Precision 18, take it all over, spending up to 2 weeks on board at a time, almost all on the hook. However, with age taking it's toll, we're looking to go bigger for more room and comfort. Not being at all interested in the added work that comes with bigger mast, etc, we think it's (cringe🙂 power boat time.

Wanting to maintain our trailering style, we've looked (mostly online only) at the usuals: Ranger, Cdory, Rosborough, etc.

We got on a R27 at a recent boat show. I'm in love. Cripes, what a beautiful boat. Absolutely would be a very very nice replacement for our dear little boat.

There is one item that scares me though, and that's going forward to the foredeck for anchor tending. Since we rarely stay at marinas, I'll need to go forward on a regular basis. Those side decks are narrow and look treacherous.

Question for those with a R25 or R27: how bad is it?

 

[Red Raven]

I suppose it depends on your age and agility. I am in my my late fifties and it is no problem for me at all. Plenty of hand holds. I always make sure I have a secure grip with the next hand before releasing the previous hand and always have a life jacket on before going forward when underway. My wife is less comfortable going forward, however, over time she has become comfortable with it when not under way. We also have a small stool that we can use in the V-berth to access the foredeck via the hatch. We don't often use it but the option is there.

 

[JamesTXSD]

We had a C-Dory, but the premise of going to the bow is the same: good hand-holds, aggressive deck texture, and room for your feet as you move forward. It was something that concerned me over a decade ago, when we moved from sail to the C-Dory; I found it to be a non-issue My wife said, "It is easier to go forward on this compared to scrambling over the cabin of a small sailboat." A very valid point.

You may also find that you will make fewer trips forward, since there is no headsail to deal with. 😉 A windlass will make your anchoring SO much more convenient, and there is more real estate on the bow of a Ranger compared to a Precision 18. As stated, if conditions are such that you don't want to go on the coaming, you can go up through the bow hatch. In 8 years with our C-Dory, we never felt the need to use that hatch for forward egress.

The real difference will be all that glorious space in the cabin (plenty of room over your head while standing), more storage, more amenities, and the inside helm... that protected helm will allow you to stay out more, in comfort. Yes, your boating will change. You will look at distant cruising, with a greater "comfort range." You will enjoy hot showers on the boat. The constant "search for ice" when you are out will be a thing of the past.

There is a downside (nothing to do with going to the bow): your lawn may get neglected. Your foul-weather gear will only get worn when you are off the boat.

Good luck with the discovery.

 

[tlkenyon]

We further reduced the need to access the foredeck by leading the bow lines back to the cockpit. The bow lines are long enough to that to be possible, but not long enough to reach the prop. The only recurring need to be on the foredeck while underway is during anchor recovery, when the pile of chain in the locker needs to be knocked down to prevent a jam. We recover fenders from the windows, stuffing them between the rail and the house.
Hang on....
TK

 

[Scuffy]

There are hand holds everywhere you would need them as others have noted. I don't see the move up to the bow as treacherous as the boat does not lean too bad as you move forward. It gets a little narrow where the bow rail starts on the gunnel but at nearly 68 and not exactly skinny; believe me it's not a problem. My wife usually heads up the sides to drop fenders when we are docking. The windless has a control at the helm and foot controls right close to the windless on the bow. I usually move forward to drop and tie off the anchor or go forward retrieve the anchor while my wife takes the helm. Having 50' of chain and a couple hundred feet of rode to deal with requires spreading the chain and rode around a little when retrieving and cleaning off the anchor. When trailering or launching you will have to raise or lower the mast and antennas usually while on the trailer. Once again it's not a problem. Going up the side is the only way we use to get there.

 

[PhilR]

I'm 73 and have enjoyed my R-27 for 6 years. I always wear a life jacket when going forward, and don't go forward without a companion on the boat. I tend my fenders from the cockpit and thru the windows.

Phil

 

[jld]

If you are looking at the R25 and R27, you might also want to take a look at the newest model in the Ranger Tugs line, the R23. Some other nice boats in the same size are the Cutwater line, also made by the maker of Ranger Tugs. The Cutwater comes in a 24, 26, and 28, all of which are trailerable. Not sure if the C26 will be made for 2017, however.

Jim

 

[LittleWing]

Many thanks for all the fast replies. Amazing group here.

I see a common theme: don't go forward while underway; hang on; wear a lifejacket; and you all love your tugs. Got it.

Sooooo, anyone gone for a swim? 😉

@wildblue: you've obviously been in our shoes. What did you sail?

 

[S. Todd]

You are in Reed Yacht Sales territory. They frequently have one in stock in one of their facilities on a trailer. I climbed all over a few of them that way before we wrote the check. The height on a trailer to the ground is worse than the fall into the water. Of course it does not rock as much on a trailer. I second all the other comments about handholds galore. I would say for a boat with an 8.5 foot beam you will not likely find any better side decks. I frequently balance on the side deck with my $5,000 bike putting it on the roof rack. Haven't dropped it in yet, but attempt to have the dock on the side with the bike rack, just in case!

 

[knotflying]

I know of an R-27 owner that installed a collapsible ladder at the v-berth hatch and they go out the open hatch rather than the outside. Of course it all depends on whether you can fit through the hatch or not. As a former owner of a C-Dory and having been on several Rosboroughs, you can't go wrong with the R-27. This year we lived on it a total of 6 months, three months at a time.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Little Wing, we met you in the north channel this year. On our Ranger 21ec we have no problem walking forward at anchor or under way. Both sandra and I routinely go forward under way, to look for rocks, navigate into tight passage ways etc. We came from a Sun Cat and know all about small boat cruising. With the full canvas over a ridged frame on the cockpit we feel we have as much room, almost, as the 25. We compromise on some features like a smaller fridge and a tighter cabin but the trailering in easier. And the cost is a lot less! The biggest improvement for us in the cabin, I am six three, was to not install the helm seat! Gives much more room for two to stand in the cabin at the same time. Being tall I can steer easily from a cushion on the fridge. I stand at the helm when in tight spaces. For cruising I rearranged the anchor system by negating the inside rode storage for a canvas bag on the deck. A bag the size of a volley ball can hold 30 feet of chain and 150 feet of line. Facotory anchor is too small in my opinion, we use a rocna 13 pound that fits on the custom roller I designed. My back up anchor, also stored on the deck in a canvas bag is a 11 pound bruce. I use is often as a Kellet on the main anchor when I need to shorten the scope in narrow anchorages. With a climbing carbinner I snap the bruce to the main rode and lower it to the bottom. I don't move at all and even stop the usual swing that can occur. I added two more batteries in the stern locker and changed them all to group 27 and put a solar panel on the cockpit frame "roll bar". We cook and eat in the weather proof cockpit. The swim platform with the factory bars is essential to mount the BBQ. We tow a 8 foot porta bote with a 2.5 motor. I find the access to the engine one of the greatest features of the 21 over the others. I can reach and inspect all aspects of the engine without any fancy gymnastics! Changed the oil and filters in no time this fall!
Hope to see you again on the water! Be sure to contact me so I can recognize you with your new boat!

 

[Seaquel]

I would concur with previous comments, particularly regarding agility, wearing PFD, etc. We have added a 2-step ladder (shorter version of the transom ladder) for use in truly rough seas. Don't use it much, but peace of mind that we can access foredeck without going "outside."

Also, I've ordered the new "toe rails" that are now standard equipment on the R27 which will add additional security.

We rarely dock, exclusively anchor or tie to state park buoys, so frequently access the foredeck and have never had a problem. My wife goes forward for handling lines when we dock; I go forward for anchoring duties. Additionally, we carry a kayak and a stand-up paddle board on the sport rack, which I deploy on every trip, so we are frequenting the foredeck constantly.

We've owned our R27 for two seasons and are more in love with her with every voyage. You will not find more "big boat" amenities on a trailerable boat and will have no regrets!

Mark & Peggy Leopold
Seaquel
2013 R27
Volvo D3 200HP

 

[Seaquel]

To clarify, the 2-step ladder is mounted under the forward hatch, providing direct access to the foredeck. It stows neatly against the headliner, held in place with clips and Velcro.

Mark & Peggy Leopold
Seaquel
2013 R27
Volvo 200HP

 

[H28]

RT 25 owner here: Normally I go around and hold on to the many hand holds. If it is rocky I go up through the forward hatch.

Easy.............