R-29CB vs R-31CB

[b&jsrubiconii]

My wife and I are committed to the purchase of either an R-29CB or an R-31CB. We have to decide which one. We have already compiled a substantial list of the pros and cons of each vessel. It will reside in the water in Southern California during the year and will be trailered each summer for 3 week trips to various places over the next several years (San Juans, Delta, Lake Powell, Bay Area, to name a few). It occurs to us that there must be several people who had to make the same decision.

We would really appreciate hearing comments from those of you who went through this evaluation to learn what exactly "turned the tide" on your decision. No one has to sell us on Ranger Tugs (that decision is firmly made! 😀)

Looking forward to collective wisdom of the Tug Nut family.

Thank you!!

 

[Dubs]

Your list will include some space vs cost vs weight trade-offs. We chose the R31 when we wanted to upsize from the R27. We moor in Puget Sound full time and wanted the comforts of the additional space for longer cruises. You’ll realize the extra space in the cockpit with the fold out seating, in the mid berth access and in the master suite storage space. The captain’s door is a big plus on the R31-S, though maybe less of an advantage with the CB model if you pilot up top more. Interesting that the factory specs show the performance data running very close between the R29 and R31. Good luck with your acquisition process!

 

[Wee Venture]

My wife and I faced the same decision and thoroughly examined both models at the boat show over a several day period. We liked the airy feeling of the 29 but settled on the 31CB for its classic look (admittedly a matter of personal taste), it’s helm door and additional space—especially in the cockpit (where I am sitting in a comfortable lounge chair as I write this).

We have no plans to trailer the boat however. If we were planning to trailer it as much as you indicate, we might well have settled on the 29, which would be more manageable on the road.

There are previous threads on Tugnuts on this topic. Here is a link to one of them:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16580&hilit=r29+r31

John

 

[FlyMeAway]

You should ask yourself how often you will access the bow (for anchoring or buoy retrieval), and how nimble you are.

 

[b&jsrubiconii]

Thank you everyone! I have identified the door on the R31CB as the most important "seafaring" difference between the two boats.

Has anyone considered the difference in the master cabin bed? (I was surprised to find out that the R29 bunk IS actually longer!...I am 6'1" and my wife is 5'8", so it's a legit concern of mine)

Love the feedback!

Thank you all again!

 

[b&jsrubiconii]

Wee Venture:

Thank you for forwarding us to the prior post-string on this issue. It was very helpful. We are still learning how to navigate all this. What an amazing resource.

It is confirming AND comforting that we are not the only ones who are/have grappling/grappled with this decision.

Thanks again!

 

[Wee Venture]

Wee Venture:

Thank you for forwarding us to the prior post-string on this issue. It was very helpful. We are still learning how to navigate all this. What an amazing resource.

It is confirming AND comforting that we are not the only ones who are/have grappling/grappled with this decision.

Thanks again!

You are very welcome! For sure you can’t go wrong with either boat.

Here is another short thread with a question and answer about towing each boat. Contrary to my previous remark, it sounds like towing the 29 and 31 are about the same:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15141&p=100122&hilit=r29+r31#p100122

And FYI, I am also 6’-1” (my wife is 5’-6”) and the R-31 forward berth has worked fine for us.

John

 

[S. Todd]

We asked the same question last fall before ordering our R29S LE. We just took delivery this week and spent a few days "moving in" and getting a few customizing items finished up. The under bed storage drawer and the large storage compartment under the helm seat were two big factors for us. We always seem to have more stuff than spaces and after using our former R25 SC for six years did not want to have to move something to get something, at least not all the time. I liked the classic look of the R31 better but others like the 29 look better. I think the ladder on the bow of the R29 is about as unnautical a look as you can get and when the boat is getting up on plane it blocks your vision (probably not an issue if you are taller) (why they spend good manufacturing money for parts and installation of a ladder where it will likely never be used and is so not needed I will never understand). (The bow pulpit itself can be used for getting the power cord to the dock so it is not all wasted and maybe the ladder will have some use getting into the boat from the trailer at some point in time, like at a ramp without a side pier.) The over head skylights on the R29 can result in blinding sun coming in so they will likely need to be covered much of the time (once again why design a feature that cost money to install and has more negatives than positives). We much preferred the cockpit seating in the 29 over the 31 and having spent a few days on her are super happy with our purchasing decision. The side door would have been somewhat nice but there are cleats right out the window and an easy reach for attaching fenders and docklines. When we backed it into our S curve drive last night from our narrow street the other feature I liked over the 31 proved valuable - 2 less feet to make that tight corner. Tough decision because they are both good boats with similar performance numbers.

 

[Someday*]

One of the issues we had with the 31 is the 2nd head...in the “cave” bunk and would be right by peoples heads whoever is sleeping in there. I just wonder if it would really ever be used?

 

[JeffreyAC77]

We have had our used R31-CB since December and find the extra 2 feet in the cockpit very valuable when gathering with friends and family. We are both tall (6'2 and 5'9) and after some extra cushioning, find the front berth manageable for our heights. Either choice will be the right choice for you.

 

[b&jsrubiconii]

Thank you everyone for sharing all these great thoughts. It's all very helpful. I wish I could figure out how to specifically thank those who posted replies, but I'm proving clueless in my efforts to figure it out! :roll: