Need feedback from c28 owners

[Dougpom]

Hi to all the cutwater C28 owners. Hope your summer is going great. Wife and I are interested in the C28 but cannot find any current reviews. We did take a test drive and we were impressed but I have reseravations on long term reliability and integrity. We used to own a go fast 31' bow rider. But now we have mellowed out.

 

[linedoctor]

We love ours. A more specific reply would need some more specific questions though. PM me.

 

[Levitation]

Without any reservations I can predict that a C28 will still be humming along, long after your go-fast has met it's maker...
Ranger builds a quality hull - Tug or Cutwater...
For the price range the boat is loaded and the fit and finish is acceptable...
The Yanmar has a solid reputation - with a few early teething problems for this particular engine that seem to be solved...
Ranger has a world class customer support reputation - bar none...

Yes, there are "better" boats out there - sea trial and price a Fleming, for instance (but give your check book a Valium first)
The real question you have to answer to yourselves is whether the layout and size of the C28 fits your long term needs...

Of course, it is not a TUG - but I spoze you can put up with that .... mutter, mumble.... Not that I'm biased or anything (gritch, grumble) :mrgreen:

 

[GulfSailor]

As said earlier, ask some specific questions, I'm sure we'll all try to help.

We love ours, the only downside is that it wasn't free. 😛

It comes with truly excellent customer support, as does the whole line of Ranger Tugs.

 

[captain's cat]

If you want reviews, just use GOOGLE. In this case a Google search on <Cutwater C28 review> brings up a plethora of information. Good luck!

Charlie

 

[Dougpom]

In thinking about a boat of this type one big question is space and inviting family and friends aboard. Since owning your vessels how has it felt when you have more than 4 people aboard? This would apply to being underway versus at dock.
We've sat in the C28 cabin and hung out on the aft deck while at boat shows. Lots of people where coming and going. Most liked the layout and felt it was versatile. Sleeping seemed like a challenge but doable. After a while it did get a little claustrophobic but that would be expected at a bot show.

 

[Dougpom]

Also have not found any current reviews such as from boattest.com or from searching online. Most reviews are from begining of year or last year If anyone has a recent review please shoot me a link.

 

[GulfSailor]

(1) In thinking about a boat of this type one big question is space and inviting family and friends aboard. Since owning your vessels how has it felt when you have more than 4 people aboard? This would apply to being underway versus at dock.
We've sat in the C28 cabin and hung out on the aft deck while at boat shows. Lots of people where coming and going. Most liked the layout and felt it was versatile. Sleeping seemed like a challenge but doable. After a while it did get a little claustrophobic but that would be expected at a bot show.

(2)Also have not found any current reviews such as from boattest.com or from searching online. Most reviews are from begining of year or last year If anyone has a recent review please shoot me a link.

With four people on board the boat is reasonably stable at the dock, but more so when under way.

We're happy to take people out on a day trip, but when it comes to over-nighting we prefer having just the two of us on board......but that's just us, the boat is quite capable of catering to more.

I don't know of any reviews that have come out in the last few months, but the ones I've seen from last year or the beginning of this have been pretty accurate.

The biggest changes that I know of in the latest models are a change of engine from Yanmar to Volvo, and the hardtop roof extension has been extended from just covering the door, to going the full width of the cabin..

 

[linedoctor]

On a recent trip to the San Juans we took a short day hop with 7 adults aboard. A couple of folks were in the 225 pound range. On the trip out 4 were outside and 3 were inside.

On the way back the water got rough and all seven came indoors to avoid the water we were taking over the front. The boat rode great...just trimmed it out to battle the waves.

 

[Dougpom]

Thanks for your help folks. I will be at the Norwalk show and kick the tires, i mean hull, some more.

 

[mbernstein2]

We are new owners of our C28 as of August 1, 2012. We love the boat so far. We've only done day trips so far, but we are planning an overnight to Avalon (Catalina Island) next month. We have had one other couple on board each time we've been out, with plenty of room. The overnight will be just the two of us, which is just the way we want it. 😀

 

[JamVox]

Believe the C28 comes with the Volvo vice Yanmar engine.

 

[GulfSailor]

Believe the C28 comes with the Volvo vice Yanmar engine.

There has been discussion on this since the Volvo fitment was first announced, but unless things have changed, the Yanmar is still available as an extra cost option.

 

[JamVox]

Believe the C28 comes with the Volvo vice Yanmar engine.

There has been discussion on this since the Volvo fitment was first announced, but unless things have changed, the Yanmar is still available as an extra cost option.

On the Cutwater website it list the following:

Specifications:
LOA molded 28' – 0" 8.5 m
LOA rigged (with swim & pulpit) 32' – 4" 9.85 m
Bridge clearance (with folded mast) 9' – 1" 2.76 m
Beam 8' 6" 2.59 m
Draft 28" .71 m
Fuel capacity 100 U.S. Gal 378.5 L
Water capacity 40 U.S. Gal 151.4 L
Holding tank capacity 30 U.S. Gal 113.6 L
Weight (Dry) 6,800 lbs 3,084 kg
Engine Volvo D4 260 H.P.
Common Rail Electronic Engine
Specifications

 

[GulfSailor]

Believe the C28 comes with the Volvo vice Yanmar engine.

There has been discussion on this since the Volvo fitment was first announced, but unless things have changed, the Yanmar is still available as an extra cost option.

On the Cutwater website it list the following:

Specifications:
LOA molded 28' – 0" 8.5 m
LOA rigged (with swim & pulpit) 32' – 4" 9.85 m
Bridge clearance (with folded mast) 9' – 1" 2.76 m
Beam 8' 6" 2.59 m
Draft 28" .71 m
Fuel capacity 100 U.S. Gal 378.5 L
Water capacity 40 U.S. Gal 151.4 L
Holding tank capacity 30 U.S. Gal 113.6 L
Weight (Dry) 6,800 lbs 3,084 kg
Engine Volvo D4 260 H.P.
Common Rail Electronic Engine
Specifications

Yes, there's no question that since the beginning of 2012 the Volvo D4 became the default engine.
However, it was also announced that the Yanmar was still available, but at an extra cost.

Here's what Jeff said at the time (my bold):

We are going to begin offering Volvo as an option on our Cutwater Boats starting in January of 2012. The Volvo D3 170 HP will be offered in the C26 and the Volvo D4 260 HP will be offered in the 28. Volvo is a leader in the industry and has worked very hard to earn some of our business. We are excited about this partnership. We will also be able to hold our current Cutwater pricing for boats being built with Volvo engines after the first of the year. Yanmar powered boats built after the first of the year will be facing a price increase. We will continue to offer Yanmar as the exclusive power in our Ranger Tugs for the foreseeable future.

Jeff

Whether things have changed since then, or which engine should be regarded as the option I don't know, but from that statement it was clear that both engines would be available, with the Yanmar being the more expensive choice.

 

[mbernstein2]

We've had our Cutwater 28 since August 2012 and love it. We're in Southern California so Catalina is our most prevalent destination. I much prefer the Yanmar to the Volvo-Penta; just listen to them side-by-side. The Yanmar is much quieter and smoother. The boat is outfitted like a luxury yacht would be. We certainly enjoy it overnight for my wife and I. If the weather is warm and the seas calm, eight people could be comfortable. Otherwise I would limit it to five. If you need more space order the new Cutwater 30. Its a great boat!