New to Tugnuts and looking to compare 27/29

[tparrent]

Ahoy there!

I am a former sailor and also previous owner of a C Dory 16 and C Dory 22.

I am looking to get out on some extended cruises, particularly in the Great Lakes area. Everything from circumnavigating Lake Superior to exploring the Canadian canals is on my list. As I am based in North Carolina, having a trailerable boat is a great plus. Otherwise I would end up leaving the boat up north through the winter and miss out on off season cruising in my home waters (I don't have time to do long repositioning trips). I would likely hire someone twice a year to haul the boat between NC and MI because that's a lot cheaper than buying a big truck and I don't like trailering much myself.

I looked at the whole line of Rangers and Cutwaters at the Miami boat show so I am familiar with the basic layout. However, I don't recall any real difference between the 27 and 29. How would you compare the two models? I would likely cruise solo most of the time but occasionally have a guest on board. Does the 29 provide a different feel for two people compared to the 27?

I have been surprised by the large number of Ranger Tugs for sale. Is this a matter of non-market clearing prices or were there just so many boats built that there are a lot changing hands? I know with the C Dories you had to be ready to grab one when they became available (and I certainly sold mine quickly) but that doesn't seem to tbe the case with the Rangers.

Thanks for any advice you can provid to a future 'Nut.

Tom

 

[Toki]

Are you looking at new? If so, there's a HUGE difference between the 27 and the 29. The 27 is outboard and the 29 is diesel inboard. Pros and cons of each configuration, discussed ad nauseum on this forum.

Or are you comparing pre-2018 "classics"? In that case, the 27 and 29 are both diesel inboard. The 29 is longer and beamier, which allows for some cool things, like a walk around bed below as opposed to V berth, head below, sliding door at helm, more room all around. This comes at the penalty of requiring oversize permits to tow, but from what I read that's not too big an issue.

Good luck in your search!

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Tom,

Jim here. Some major differences between the 27 and 29. First is the beam: 8.5' on the 27, 10' on the 29. It is the difference between hassle-free towing and needing permits. Next is the forward stateroom on the 29: a walk-around berth vs the v-berth on the 27. Both boats have the mid-stateroom, but the 29 will have more room. Think of the difference between your CD16 and your 22... well, more like the difference between the 16 and the 19. Depending on the year (if you are looking at used), diesel vs outboard, but again that is year dependent.

Good luck with the search.

Best wishes.

 

[tparrent]

Thank you, that's very helpful information.

Given that I would not be towing the boat myself, a true island berth is a good trade off against the permitting. Trailering the boat would occur twice a year while crawling into the berth would occur every night.

Any thought on why there are so many boats available? Do sellers have unrealistic price expectations? I know these are high quality boats but I am concerned about time to resell. Selling the C Dories was so quick and easy as both sellers and buyers seem to have a similar view of value.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I think it is the business cycle. In the 2005 - 2008 period, C-Dory built a LOT of boats. There were a lot of new C-Dory owners, but most were experienced owners. As C-Dory went through business struggles and several changes of ownership, the number of new boats being produced dwindled down to just a few each month. Few dealers, so it is hard to even see a new C-Dory. This makes for fast turn on used boats for sale, if they are priced appropriately.

Ranger Tugs has had the same ownership all during that time and has continued to improve and expand their product line. They have active dealers who generally have some stock boats that prospective buyers can look at. They are prominent in all the major boat shows around the country. This makes it easier for a prospective new buyer to actually get a boat. With the nicer interiors and amenities like bow and stern thrusters, people new to boating are understandably drawn to these boats. Some new boaters find that the lifestyle (most people who get into this caliber of boat aren't casual about it) and/or expense of boating isn't what they thought. The simple fact that Ranger produces a lot of boats means there are going to be more used ones available. At this price level, a good portion of folks who can afford the buy-in look at new... which also affords the factory support that Ranger is well-known for.

This is good for a potential used Ranger buyer as there are more options out there. If you had looked to buy a used C-Dory in the 2009 to 2012 era, you would have seen more used boats available. C-Dory has made few changes over the years, where Ranger has improved each new model, made some remarkable changes (moving from diesel only to outboard power) and listened to owners and potential buyers' wants. It gives folks a reason to want to trade up.

In automotive terms, the C-Dory is like a classic VW bus... the market scarcity for those has driven the price up and there are just fewer available. The Rangers are more like upscale SUVs: plenty of new ones available with new amenities, but the used ones are still desirable... but in that price range, many people can afford new.

Just one guy's opinion (this guy has been on this site since the day after it started, so I've seen a few things 😉 ).