Question for R25 Owners?

[cruz-in]

Hi All,

First, thanks in advance for taking the time to read and reply. I really appreciate the input.

We live on the Chesapeake bay and plan to spend days to a weeek at at time out cruising. While we (oddly enuff) enjoy simple accomadations like the 21EC, we find ourselves drawn to the R25. We currently have a camping trailer and the thought that, vice add a 21EC to our stable of vehicles, we could go with an R25 and get trid of our camping trailer. Using the R25 as a dry a land camper from time to time. Our tow vehicle is an F250 Diesel so it can easily handle pulling the boat. This was not an original thought, we stumbled across the blog on Kermit the R27 and became intrued by the idea. So a few questions:

1) Any of you dry camp in your R25?

2) For the tall R25 owners out there, how do you find movement and sace onboard. I am 6'3" tall and concerned about bumping my head, knees, elbows, etc...

Thanks again for your time and any other advice/thoughts yoou all have would be appreciated.

Dan

 

[tugnnaweigh]

We dry land camp in our R25 whenever we're moving between bodies of water. We bought an adapter to plug into campground 30 amp services and run a hose into a 5 gallon bucket for the sink outflow.

To get in and out of the boat we bought this: Model # HSP-4TG Internet # 203124303 4-Step Steel Skinny Mini Step Stool Ladder with Project Tray from Home Depo. It has steps instead of rungs and a grasping bar at the top to hold on to getting on and off of it. We take it up into the cockpit in the evening, like raising a drawbridge!

I'm 6' 3" myself and the only way I bump my head is when I get out of position in the entryway to the cabin, there's a bit of a cutout in the roof you need to remain under while on the step.

We found that while camping on the trailer your head is 10 or 12 feet from the ground, great views, very secure feeling. This distance from the ground also keeps our dogs from noticing outside noise, helping keep them calm.

Hope this helps, rich

 

[nzfisher]

I have dry camped my R25 while trailering the boat from central Oregon to Anacortes. Dry camping is necessary In order to avoid traffic through Portland and Seattle- the commuters are clueless as to how long it takes to stop a trailered boat as they weave in and out of traffic. I am not as tall as you so addressing height issues is NA for me. Regarding trailering, call any potential rest spots ahead of time asking about easy access and if they will allow your boat-oddly enough some will not. Check blogs for reviews of potential RV stops (helpful). Don't put boat under pine trees as sap and needle drop will make a lot of extra work for you. Electric cord converter will make it easier although many RV places have convertors to borrow or rent. Early adopters of this form of travel have many tips modifications that can be searched on the site such as-

gallery2.php?g2_itemId=33382

Do a search and see what you can find. Happy trails.

 

[tlkenyon]

We are happy owners of a 2015 R-25SC. It is just about perfect in every aspect, including interior headroom. I have only one regret. We should have gotten the 27. If I had it to do over again, that is what I would do. It is still easily towed with a 2500 but has incrementally more room. There are a lot of incremental differences, and seem to be worth the extra cost....I guess I got 2-foot-itis pretty bad....

 

[Rockyman]

We are happy owners of a 2015 R-25SC. It is just about perfect in every aspect, including interior headroom. I have only one regret. We should have gotten the 27. If I had it to do over again, that is what I would do. It is still easily towed with a 2500 but has incrementally more room. There are a lot of incremental differences, and seem to be worth the extra cost....I guess I got 2-foot-itis pretty bad....

I have to agree with the above statement. We had the choice of a two year old R-27 or a 1 year old R-25SC when we traded in our R-21EC at the Ranger factory, a couple of years ago. The R-25 would have cost less and been newer but my wife and I felt the extra cost for the R-27 was worth it. We have not regretted that decision. There is a lot more space on the R-27. My F350 has no problem towing the boat and an F250 or 2500 should also be fine. The R-27 is the largest Ranger Tug that can be towed without a wide load permit -- another reason for our choice.

 

[cruz-in]

Hi All. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts. They are very helpful. As far as the R25, R25SC, and R27 here is my understanding from lots of reading:

R25 - Approximate Interior Space of the R27. Smaller Cockpit than the R25SC and R27 (Big Interior - Smaller Cockpit)

R25SC - Smaller interior than R25 and R27. Approximate same size cockpit as R27 (Smaller Interior - Big Cockpit)

R27 -Approximate Interior Space of R25 with Cockpit Space of R25SC. (Big Interior - Big Cockpit)

Realize these are a bit of an approximate, however is the above correct?

Thanks
Dan

 

[tlkenyon]

You are correct in your approximations. An additional factor is that engine access on the R25 is very problematic and much improved on the 25SC. That is according to Andrew and Kenny when I initially intended on obtaining a used R25. Of course, they are certainly in the business of selling new boats...and are quite good at it. :mrgreen:

 

[NorthernFocus]

Per above, engine access on the R25 classic is a PITA. If you do your own maintenance etc. that's nearly reason enough to go with the R27. Particularly for a bigger gent, the larger cabin of the 25 classic/27 vs the 25SC may be a consideration. Regarding dry camping, yes it can be done. And is logical while in transit. But planning to use the boat as a camper when you already have one might be worth some contemplation. Think about the boat system by system and how it will work if the boat isn't in the water. That's a good start.

 

[Levitation]

We have land camped in our R25 a few times. The three issues primarily are that the sinks and shower are designed to discharge overboard, climbing up into the boat on a trailer is inconvenient, and the HVAC is dependent on an endless flow of water. It works OK for a one night stay. Beyond that is problematic.

 

[cruz-in]

We have land camped in our R25 a few times. The three issues primarily are that the sinks and shower are designed to discharge overboard, climbing up into the boat on a trailer is inconvenient, and the HVAC is dependent on an endless flow of water. It works OK for a one night stay. Beyond that is problematic.

Thanks...interesting input about the HVAC.....had not thought about that...