Potential Cutwater Buyer

C

cutwater4me

Active member
Joined
Nov 24, 2014
Messages
36
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Hull Identification Number
USFMLC2819I
Non-Fluid Motion Model
CW 28 LE
Vessel Name
Telesto
I am thinking of buying a Cutwater 26 or 28. I would love to hear user comments on their experiences with either vessel.
I am coming from a much larger trawler. I would love to hear about reliability, fuel economy, ride height issues, generator size, other. Thanks.
 
Golly, not a single reply. Well, it is a holiday week and folks have more on their minds than hanging out here.
Stay the course, there should be some chatter on your question :mrgreen:
I toured the Cutwaters at a boat show at Cedar Point, Ohio... I thought the factory did a fine job - which is the usual for the Livingstons.
The Ranger group does an outstanding job of service and support for their boats - best in the business.
Fuel economy has to be magnitudes better than your trawler - no matter which one it is. There have been threads with fuel burn tables posted in the past year or so. Searching the archives should resurrect these.

cheers, eh wot.
 
Levitation":2746gs6c said:
Golly, not a single reply. Well, it is a holiday week and folks have more on their minds than hanging out here.
Stay the course, there should be some chatter on your question :mrgreen:
I toured the Cutwaters at a boat show at Cedar Point, Ohio... I thought the factory did a fine job - which is the usual for the Livingstons.
The Ranger group does an outstanding job of service and support for their boats - best in the business.
Fuel economy has to be magnitudes better than your trawler - no matter which one it is. There have been threads with fuel burn tables posted in the past year or so. Searching the archives should resurrect these.

cheers, eh wot.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I hope I hear from some of the Cutwater owners. Happy Thanksgiving.
 
Use the search box at the top of the home page and search for "Cutwater" you should get enough posts about these boats to keep you busy until someone responds directly.

Good Luck,
 
hi, welcome to Tugnuts. I have a 28 cutwater, trailer weight is @ 12,300 lbs. . We run @ 1380 to 1580 rpm @ 6.5 to 7 kts. Fuel @ 1.5 to 1.7 gph. @ 20 to 23 kts. fuel is @ 12.5 to 13 gph. depending on load , water/ fuel/ gear/seas. trailer height is @ 12.6 to 13.2 ft..bridge height is @ 15 feet. minimum load on trailer is @ 12,500 to 13,000 lbs.. 40 gal. fresh water is sometimes a concern, so on long cruises we carry 10 one gallon jugs and a couple of cases of bottles water. Have had no problems getting water from here (Oak Harbor, WA) to Desolation Sound. We have made the entire trip from here to Desolation Sound (and many stops in Sound area) and back on 80 gallons of fuel. (some time on step, but most at 6.5 to 7 kts). I do fish Salmon derby's with 3 to 4 adult males on board, no problem. Boat handles well in 6 to 8 foot seas WITH 30 to 40 kt sustained winds!!! Don't ask how I know-- stupid me!!! Boat IS light on bow and BEAM on seas do require a lot of helm action. In better seas the auto pilot does a great job. We came from much larger boats with twin screws, so the single screw is still taking some getting used to. The bow and stern thrusters do help. We carry a 2,000 watt honda generator. With good batteries the solar panel will give 2-3 days on the hook, gen/motor for hot water as needed. dealer/factory service is the BEST I have ever experienced.
There are a lot of threads about Cutwaters on this site.
Best wishes
Dave
 
Dave,

Most helpful. Especially the handling in rougher seas. Where's the sweet spot for speed and FE?

Thanks!
 
Ahoy Cutwatter4me,
Sweet SPOTS are 1. 1380 to 1580 rpm @ 6.5 to 7.5+ kts @ 1.5 to 1.7 gph,
2. 3000 to 3280 rpm @ 20 to 24 kts @ 12 to 13 gph.
Of course these depend on load (fuel,waters,people and gear,etc) and seas (tides, currents and winds direction and strength).
Like any boat, into the wind and against a max tide/current speeds will drop, but that is why I gave both rpm's and fuels. We rarely try to exceed these settings because fuel drops rapidly, so we just wait it out and deal with it.
All the "CUTS" are great boats as are the TUG's.

Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Dave/CORPSVET
 
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the real world trailer weights, etc. I would take it that most folks would tow a 28 with a 3/4 ton pickup then?

We're thinking of either a 26 or 28 so I'll look around for real world data on the 26's trailer weight.

CORPSVET":i6qzoteh said:
hi, welcome to Tugnuts. I have a 28 cutwater, trailer weight is @ 12,300 lbs. . We run @ 1380 to 1580 rpm @ 6.5 to 7 kts. Fuel @ 1.5 to 1.7 gph. @ 20 to 23 kts. fuel is @ 12.5 to 13 gph. depending on load , water/ fuel/ gear/seas. trailer height is @ 12.6 to 13.2 ft..bridge height is @ 15 feet. minimum load on trailer is @ 12,500 to 13,000 lbs.. 40 gal. fresh water is sometimes a concern, so on long cruises we carry 10 one gallon jugs and a couple of cases of bottles water. Have had no problems getting water from here (Oak Harbor, WA) to Desolation Sound. We have made the entire trip from here to Desolation Sound (and many stops in Sound area) and back on 80 gallons of fuel. (some time on step, but most at 6.5 to 7 kts). I do fish Salmon derby's with 3 to 4 adult males on board, no problem. Boat handles well in 6 to 8 foot seas WITH 30 to 40 kt sustained winds!!! Don't ask how I know-- stupid me!!! Boat IS light on bow and BEAM on seas do require a lot of helm action. In better seas the auto pilot does a great job. We came from much larger boats with twin screws, so the single screw is still taking some getting used to. The bow and stern thrusters do help. We carry a 2,000 watt honda generator. With good batteries the solar panel will give 2-3 days on the hook, gen/motor for hot water as needed. dealer/factory service is the BEST I have ever experienced.
There are a lot of threads about Cutwaters on this site.
Best wishes
Dave
Click to expand...
 
I tow my Cutwater 28 with a 3/4 diesel (2015 GMC 2500). It pulls great. I would not attempt towing with a half ton even though it might be rated for 11,000 lbs. Had a problem with the trailer brakes not being compatible with the truck. This is a problem to watch out for, the EZ Loader electric over hydraulic system is not compatible with any of the newer trucks (GM, Ford, Dodge). I had to buy a new controller to get it working properly. The trailer and trailer brakes are fine now, but it was a real pain getting the problem figured out.
 
Manzanita":3sb32sqq said:
I tow my Cutwater 28 with a 3/4 diesel (2015 GMC 2500). It pulls great. I would not attempt towing with a half ton even though it might be rated for 11,000 lbs. Had a problem with the trailer brakes not being compatible with the truck. This is a problem to watch out for, the EZ Loader electric over hydraulic system is not compatible with any of the newer trucks (GM, Ford, Dodge). I had to buy a new controller to get it working properly. The trailer and trailer brakes are fine now, but it was a real pain getting the problem figured out.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That seems to be the consensus on other threads on towing these big boats.
 
If you have a brand new truck and for some reason the factory controller is not compatible with the Hydra star system (almost positive that Chevy is the only one with the issue) you can have a special cam added to the trailer to make it work with your factory controller. It isn't a big deal, takes about an hour to install. The other alternative is to install a different aftermarket controller.
 
Great boats and the Volvo diesel is two thumbs up. Bear in mind the C26 and C28 are close to identical - just 2 extra feet of cockpit in the 28 which is sure nice for fishing or hanging out in the good weather. The longer length also moves the engine entirely out of the cabin. I have regularly got three hous per gallon at hull speed 4 - 6 knots depending on wind/current. She's economical unless you shove the throttle forward. Just think backpacking rather than luxury living and you'll have the space you need! We do fine out for a couple of weeks with just two of us, and no generator just the solar panel, often not moving for two-three days. If you have the choice, be sure to get a truck with exhaust brake, and duallys would be great. Lots of weight here when ready for cruising.
 
@cutwater4me: not sure a Cutwater is for you. If you like being able to dock with ease, having an efficient diesel that doesn't smoke, all kinds of electronics, having your family be happy on board, having systems that work, and excellent factory support then I would look at another brand. Cut waters are just tough boats. Not sure I would want all this good stuff again. I'm going to sell and go back to a Grand Banks where I get dirty every time I go below to check on the mains.

In all seriousness: my father (retired/experienced boater) - said one very important thing to me. "Own the boat, don't let the boat own you"

No boat is perfect but Cutwater/rangers are "easy to own" vs them taking too much time to operate. Good luck with your purchase.
 
Do yourself a favor and pull it with a dually, 45 years worth of truck'in
 
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