Questions re R-27

[JohnH]

We own an R-21-EC, and we like it very much. Being happy with one's boat does not, however, make you immune from considering your next boat. In that spirit, we looked at an R-27 because of its more comfortable cruising features. We have some concerns about access to places that need to be accessed, and so we ask for comment from those experienced with the R-27. Examples:

1) The foredeck -- the side decks seem very narrow, with only the barest rise for a toe-rail and no side rails until one reaches the foredeck. Compared with the side decks on the R-21-EC, the trip to the foredeck of an R-27 seems adventurous. Anchor handling from the foredeck in rolly conditions, whether for fishing or for emergencies, seems to require difficult and possibly dangerous negotiations along the side of the cabin. Even for docking, the trip to the foredeck does not seem easy or quick. Am I missing something? Is this really as difficult as it seems?

2) The stuffing box -- The thing is in plain sight when you open the engine hatch, but it seems that it would be difficult to get down to it in a position that enabled even working the wrenches, and replacing packing would be worse. Again, is there something I'm missing?

3) I didn't have the opportunity to check engine access to all the points needed, so I'll just ask about access to routine maintenance points, like changing oil filters, belts, coolant, transmission oil, etc.

Other than these issues, the boat has obvious attractions. My thanks in advance for counsel.

-- John H

 

[Levitation]

The 25/27 are what they are... Yes, you crawl along the side of the cabin to get to the foredeck... I do not find the trip forward to be an issue (in my mind, ymmv)... If it becomes an issue at some point in time then I would go out through the vee berth hatch to gain the foredeck...

The stuffing box is not the handiest thing in the world - it is also far and away from being the worst I have ever seen... Take a pair of pipe wrenches and get yourself folded down in there... So far it has not been a problem (and I hope it stays that way) as I have done adjustments with a cold engine so I can flop all over things without burning myself... I have been contemplating making a custom wrench out of some thick aluminum with long handles where I can do the job while sitting on the edge of the deck... I may yet get to it (possibly right after pigs learn to fly, but you never know, lightning does strike now and then)

(Ugh, I hit send accidentally) Anyway, engine/fuel maintenance is just that... We all do it - and as far as I know successfully... The 25 is probably the tightest of the two as room at the front of the engine is tight... It is not in my mind a make or break issue in deciding to buy...

 

[doke01]

The trip to the foredeck has plenty of hand holds and you actually feel pretty safe when you do it. We only had one issue when there was a morning dew and my wife wore her fuzzy socks. Long story short, she slipped and fell in. Now she either goes barefooted or wears shoes. She says she feels very safe doing it and once you are on the foredeck it is very safe. Lesson learned. I have made the trip myself in some pretty rough water and felt safe. Of course, we always wear our inflatable life vests. Especially when under way.

We have almost never had to go to the foredeck for docking. The thrusters make a huge difference and usually my wife just reaches across and grabs a line once the boat is up against the dock. If I dock by myself I jump over with a stern line, grab the railing to hold her in and walk up to the bow for the bow line. In rare instances I have gone through the forward hatch. It's not super pleasant but doable.

I haven't done the stuffing box yet but will be this spring. It looks a lot more accessible then stuffing boxes that I have seen on other boats though. The only think I dread on our Yanmar 125 HP is getting to the raw water impeller. It is time to change it this spring. I'm not looking forward to lying on top of the engine and doing all of that stretching.

We love our boat. It is very easy to work on and has felt very safe. Even in the roughest of waters.

Doug

 

[rt11002003]

Doug,

Isn't the raw water impeller accessable thru the opening step into the cabin? I've looked at a number of R25s and I thought that pump was just inside that opening step.

Of course, those with R25SC and R27 have a bulkhead between the engine compartment and the cabin, so the step probably doesn't open into the engine compartment.

Gene

 

[Lobo]

Yup, what you see is what you get. I find the side deck on my R25 tight obviously, but the hand rails are good. I have a 3-year old and the V-Berth hatch is smaller than they now fit, but I get my chubby body up and down through it when I have to go forward and don't like sea conditions. I can also just reach the anchor locker by tip-tow standing on the V-Berth. Not comfortable, but it works.

One hint. If you have the cockpit bimini, unzip the forward section that adjoins the cabin top at the rear before going forward on the side decks. When you return -- if you haven't uinzipped -- you have a weird reach to get hold of a grab bar. I missed -- and had a nice swim. Unzipping solves the problem. Fortunately when I went swimming there were enough people around to laugh and leave me to my problem. Damn relatives!

Dave
"Lobo"