R-27 Options

[Doubletrouble]

We are looking at the R-27 but couple of wish list items are not listed and we are wondering if the factory exhibits flexibility. I will start off to say we love to fish so instead of the outside grille can you get a live well for bait. Also is there an option for a rear deck pilot station. 3rd item is that with the new control systems offered for outboards is there an option for (2) 100 to 150 hp outboards so we could take advantage of the gps anchor systems. I believe Yamaha make one as well as Mercury and Sea Station makes a after market system that look good.

 

[ixlr8]

Others have said Ranger is flexible with their configurations, I have not found that to be true, it may be model dependent. The 27OB seems to be pretty well locked down as to available configurations
- There is a well under the electric grill, I don't know if it is a 'live' well or not. The grill can be unplugged and removed.
- I have not seen or heard of any option for a rear deck pilot station. With the autopilot remote, I wonder how necessary it would be.
- I seriously doubt Ranger would entertain doing a duel engine configuration for the 27OB, it would just involve too many changes from the stock configuration.
The only way to know for sure... contact the factory. I have found that dealers don't always have the full details on what is allowed and what is not.

 

[johnniethek]

The space under the electric grill can be used as a live well for small fish, or a place to keep bait fish. It's not big enough for much else, though there might be enough room for 2-3 small pinks. You're better off using a regular cooler for salmon, halibut and lings.

I, too, would like an aft helm for fishing purposes, but agree the cost of adding that seems prohibitive. Learning to use the remote control device will have to suffice.

 

[baz]

The well under the grill is quite large. The grill can be easily be removed (unplugged from it's 120v connection) in the transom which is accessed via a round hatch.

The 9.9HP Yamaha kicker motor steering is controlled via the helm just is the larger 300HP motor. A tie bar connected the kicker to the F300 motor. You set the speed on the 9.9 and then control the steering via the helm or use the autopilot remote to change heading. It's easily done IMO. Of course, don't get distracted as you still need to see where you're going. 😉 😱 :roll: On the transom immediately forward of the kicker motor there's a nice padded seat that sits on top of the propane tank storage locker. You can sit on this with legs dangling down to the transom platform and steer the boat via the kicker motor with the remote autopilot control. In this way you have a clear view aft but obviously must have another person as your forward and side-to-side lookout.

RT is always looking at design changes. If they see a use/market/good-reason to equip the R-27/OB with 2x 100/150 motors they may very well do so. However, asking them at this point about this will likely get a non-committal response as they are under-the-gun to push these R-27/OB boats out to their customers and dealerships as fast as the Kent factory can handle things. There's around a 12 month backlog for the R-27/OB at this time.

Note, one of the Cutwater models sports 2x F300 outboards.... :roll:

 

[Brian B]

I was on the new 27 O/B version at the Newport, RI boat show last Thurs. My first impression was that this is too nice of a boat for serious fishing. If you remove the grill for a bait/fish tank it would have to be plumbed to discharge overboard, discharging into the bilge will result in a putrid smell eventually. Myself and others felt that the seat in front of the grill needed a protective cover to protect it from grill drippings and any fishing mishaps.
Each to their own on the outboard version, personally I'll take the "classic" diesel.
I also saw the new 29, that would make me give up fishing or having to buy another boat just for fishing.

 

[baz]

I was on the new 27 O/B version at the Newport, RI boat show last Thurs. My first impression was that this is too nice of a boat for serious fishing. If you remove the grill for a bait/fish tank it would have to be plumbed to discharge overboard, discharging into the bilge will result in a putrid smell eventually. Myself and others felt that the seat in front of the grill needed a protective cover to protect it from grill drippings and any fishing mishaps.
Each to their own on the outboard version, personally I'll take the "classic" diesel.
I also saw the new 29, that would make me give up fishing or having to buy another boat just for fishing.

1) Correction to your statement .... The "bait/fish" tank does indeed drain directly overboard and NOT into the bilge. So there will be no "putrid smell" as you've speculated. 😀

2) There is a canvas cover for the transom fold down seat. It's provided by RT as stock equipment. 😀

3) The R-27/OB and the R-29S make for good fishing IMO and one shouldn't be put off from how nice the cockpit looks when decked out in its finery. :lol: