Hi There,
Congrats! I just took delivery of a 2019 (never been splashed) blue R29 CB up here on the coast of Maine. We have done about six, 1/2 day trips and now have about 15 hours on the engine. The boat is one of the most well thought out designs I have ever seen (i've been boating and sailing for 30 years). My wife wanted power and the open airy views as she can get seasick when sailing and going down below. She LOVES the r29. Not even a hit of feeling bad, even in some very rough wind and water. I too was concerned how it would handle wavy conditions and it is amazingly stable. Wife and guests all comment on that when underway or on the anchor.
The boat is also just very comfortable to spend time on.. whether sitting on a mooring, at anchor, at a dock, or driving the time just ticks away. Day trips with 6 people are totally fine. Between the salon, the cockpit, the command bridge there are plenty of places to go and to sit. Also you can sit up top when nice and then late afternoon when driving into the 20knt seabreeze and 2-3 foot and close waves, I just go down inside shut the doors and windows and it's super warm and quiet pushing though the waves at 14 kn no problem.
I was also concerned about docking. That too is easy. Just nudge from neutral to forward (or reverse) in short bursts -and it's nice and slow. Bow and stern thrusters work well. Made me look like a pro
😀 I've docked have a dozen times now, and with wind. Very response. Throttle is touchy beyond the engaged bump but very smooth and east to operate.
First day out was 25 knts with 5-8 foot waves. A very rough day. We drove at about 10 knots into them for about 30 minutes. Lots of spray over the bow but otherwise OK (wipers work well btw). Though I would not want to do that regularly or for a long period of time. Turning and having those same waves following, I sped up to about 14 knts and hit the auto pilot. Bow up a little and it was fine.
Issues:
- Engine battery will not hold a charge. Probably because it's older, not used. Dealer is swapping it out for a new one.
"water in fuel" error went on upon start. Stopped engine. Restarted. Hasn't repeated.
Anchor locker seems big but when retrieving anchor via the windlass the chain gets built up below and causes it to clog (need to figure out a way to spread the line out somehow)
You will love it. Slow or fast or sitting. It's a sweet and easy boat to be on.
Jeff
