R25. Pull the trigger or not?

S

sf_st

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2020
Messages
19
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Interested in the R25
Folks. After years of dreaming, making money on a house, and taking a serious look at several boats, we have decided to order a brand new R25 from the factory. Day cruising, boat camping, exploring, fishing, crabbing, and shrimping is the mission. Doing it at under 200K and keeping the fully loaded boat trailerable for a gasser F250 was the goal. Oh yeah, and a proper walk-in head for the wi...copilot! The boat will ply the Hood Canal, Puget Sound, and the Strait.

Now, we are looking for someone to talk us out of or into it. Any sage advice or experience based recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Expectations, considerations, and all the rest.
 
We had five Sea Rays and just ordered our second Ranger Tug. We have appreciated and enjoyed each one and the adventures they have taken us on. There is no fountain of youth so if the budget allows it, you should do it. If for some reason cruising does not bring you the enjoyment you envisioned, you can always move on to something else.
 
I’m biased. I admit it. If it were me, I pick a boat that could do everything the RT-25 OB can do but does it better for the same price.
My choice - A one or two year old RT-27 OB. Something like this one.
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2018/r ... 7-3601038/
with 40 hours on the engine and never been slept in. Of course a full survey would be a must!

The RT-27 OB needs about the same sized 3/4 tin truck to tow. Gives you more room in the cabin on those rainy PNW days. Much more holding capacity in the fresh and waste water tanks. A more stable ride. A MUCH BETTER cooktop. The list goes on and on and on.....
In real life, we are not OB fans. Not a good fit for our style of long duration, on the hook cruising. But one of these days we dream of seeing a 2015-2017 RT-27 Classic in our driveway.
Good luck. Can’t go wrong with either the 25 or 27.
 
It's not a trigger, but rather a golden key.
Turn it and step through the door to untold adventure and joy!
 
scross":ct700pwl said:
I’m biased. I admit it. If it were me, I pick a boat that could do everything the RT-25 OB can do but does it better for the same price.
My choice - A one or two year old RT-27 OB. Something like this one.
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2018/r ... 7-3601038/
with 40 hours on the engine and never been slept in. Of course a full survey would be a must!

The RT-27 OB needs about the same sized 3/4 tin truck to tow. Gives you more room in the cabin on those rainy PNW days. Much more holding capacity in the fresh and waste water tanks. A more stable ride. A MUCH BETTER cooktop. The list goes on and on and on.....
In real life, we are not OB fans. Not a good fit for our style of long duration, on the hook cruising. But one of these days we dream of seeing a 2015-2017 RT-27 Classic in our driveway.
Good luck. Can’t go wrong with either the 25 or 27.
Click to expand...

I agree with this post, in terms of seriously considering slightly used and getting a bigger boat for the same or better price as a new RT25. We bought our 2018 RT23 a little more than a year ago from the RT factory (someone upgrading already to the 27) and couldn’t be happier. Feel like we got an almost brand new boat for a good price - even had a kicker on it already.
 
Great points, all. Appreciate it.
 
Hey all.

All are great points although....
USED downfalls vs NEW

USED: expired/expiring warranties with a no stress system.
cost of transport a few thousand dollars
cost of survey
cost of repairs
cost of future repairs

NEW: Factory delivery experience. TOTALLY AWEWOME
Full warranties on all parts and appliances
GREAT RESALE on a very Niche R25 so if you dont like the vessel you can get out very quick and not costly at all
Dealer backing and experience.
The dealers for RT and CW are absolutely great. Everyone I have met throughout the US has been excellent.
Never before slept in, camped in, dealt with. as well as the bathrooms have never been used haha.

At the end of the day new or used the Ranger Tugs are great, affordable, and low maintenance boats.

Hope this helps. GLWS
 
We just went through this exact decision process, so I can relate. I think it just comes down to personal preferences.

We looked at a couple used R-27's (2019 and 2018) and compared them to a new R-25. We ultimately went with the new R-25.

Looking at both, the R-25 just seemed a little more thought out as far as overall design goes. You end up with a ton of amenities in a bit more compact overall design, which is appealing to us. The mid birth is WAY more usable on the R-25 (more vertical height so you can actually sleep on your side). Also the swim step and OB integration is much more appealing. I know it sounds silly, but I think the OB on the R-27 looks like it was just bolted on without much thought, which would bother me (I’m sure plenty of time and thought went into it, just an aesthetic thing for me).

The only things we felt like we’d really be giving up were the oven and the integrated bow seat, neither of which were a big issue for us. The R-25 does have a bit smaller tanks, but on our old boat we were able to make do with tanks almost half the size on extended trips with zero issues.

All that said, generally speaking, I don’t think you’d be going wrong with any of the Ranger Tugs.
 
PNWTX, I'm thinking along those exact lines of thought. The folks I talked with at Ranger Tugs actually preferred the R25 OB for the same reasons. I am impressed with the design of the R25.

EYS Ft Myers, Thanks for the comments, especially the plug for the factory experience. Since this is my first boat bigger than 12ft, I was considering it.
 
sf_st":2qqwme0q said:
Folks. After years of dreaming, making money on a house, and taking a serious look at several boats, we have decided to order a brand new R25 from the factory. Day cruising, boat camping, exploring, fishing, crabbing, and shrimping is the mission. Doing it at under 200K and keeping the fully loaded boat trailerable for a gasser F250 was the goal. Oh yeah, and a proper walk-in head for the wi...copilot! The boat will ply the Hood Canal, Puget Sound, and the Strait.

Now, we are looking for someone to talk us out of or into it. Any sage advice or experience based recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Expectations, considerations, and all the rest.
Click to expand...

Some questions for you....

1) What is/was your purchase cost max budget ? If it is in the range of say $155K for stock and some $200K (for some useful options for the PNW area), then the $200K comes awfully close to the stock R27/OB that has all the useful PNW options the optional extra $45K for the R25/OB will cost. The R27/OB is longer and this makes the interior more spacious. Both will have the same top speeds and both will be limited in speed once the sea conditions get to a 3 foot chop to provide a comfortable ride.

2) Now if your purchase budget is as high as $300K, the choice will become obvious for you and I would say the R29S would meet all your requirements, plus you get a more stable and more comfortable ride in water/sea conditions, and a ton more interior space compared to what the R25/OB or the R27/OB is capable of providing/delivering. This would also mean you're not adverse to diesel that also cost less per gallon.

3) The most common afterthought that new boat owners have is wanting something more in terms of comfort, and interior space because requirements change after a few years of use. When this happens (and it does for many) you faced with trading in and buying a larger boat (new or used). So lets say you fall into this category of boat ownership. You should compare the cost outlay for the R25/OB and the purchase of say a R29S 4 yrs later.

4) In my case I started with the R25 (Classic) and after some 6 yrs my situation and requirements changed and I sold the R25 and purchased a new R21 EC for the lakes and trailering opportunities. Then some 18 months later things changed again for me, and I traded the R21 EC for the R27/OB, and then some 18 months later my requirements changed quite a bit, and I traded the R27/OB for the R29CB. For each model change I was very happy, but you must understand that life changes can/will occur making you want to change your boat to meet new requirements etc.

5) Choosing a boat is a complex task, and don't be surprised if after a few years of ownership you change your mind on what's best for you.

My experience so far using the 4 Ranger Tugs I've owned is that my R29 CB can be used pretty much all year round in the PNW area, bar very foul weather. I would not hesitate going out with 15 to 20 mph winds and up to 3 to 4 foot waves. With my R27/OB I would hesitate going out in any sea conditions above say 2-3 foot waves and winds around 15 mph, and with this being a very uncomfortable ride. The outboard (OB) models with their planing hulls are best suited for calm seas and no more than 2-3 foot chop and favorable winds. With better sea conditions they can get you places very quickly at 35 to 40 mph along with some white knuckles and a keen lookout for sea heads (slightly submerged logs). My R29 CB will go up to 25-27 mph at WOT, and can cruise at a good 18 mph in 3 foot waves.

Good luck, and enjoy what you end up choosing now and in the future.
 
Don't forget that the Ranger Tug factory takes trade-in Ranger Tugs and Cutwaters when a current owner upgrades to a newer or bigger Ranger Tug or Cutwater.
They tend to price the trade-ins attractively and you get the Factory Delivery Experience.
When we bought our trade-in, the factory was extremely thorough at examining the systems and fixing things proactively.
The boat also came with a 90-day warranty.
Most of the trade-ins seem to be associated with the Seattle Boat Show, which is in early Feb 2021.
Contact Andrew and let him know what boat and equipment you are interest in, along with your target price and see what he can do for you.
If you can wait until Feb, this approach may give you the best of both worlds--a used boat price and factory support.
 
Thanks baz for all the detailed comments. I'm late to the boating game and pray this is my forever boat. The R25 will keep me under 200k with trailer, taxes, and the rest. The two axle trailer will make for easier handling, the weight when loaded will stay comfortably within my F250's capability, the size and layout will suit my family of 3, and I hope the outboard will save me $ in the long run. I appreciate your wisdom that I'm sure, one day, will likely prove true 😀
 
Great point, Sgeary. The boat show is kinda up in the air this year, though.
 
sf_st":30c4tct8 said:
Thanks baz for all the detailed comments. I'm late to the boating game and pray this is my forever boat. The R25 will keep me under 200k with trailer, taxes, and the rest. The two axle trailer will make for easier handling, the weight when loaded will stay comfortably within my F250's capability, the size and layout will suit my family of 3, and I hope the outboard will save me $ in the long run. I appreciate your wisdom that I'm sure, one day, will likely prove true 😀
Click to expand...

OK.... So it's the $200K budget that is the one thing focusing you on the R25/OB. Fair enough, and I'm sure you will enjoy the boat. As an aside, I have a slip neighbor who had a very new R25/OB and within a few months was having issues with the interior space (especially the fwd stateroom - V-berth area and toilet). He was lamenting his R25/OB decision, and wandered over to my 2019 R29 CB. I gave him some 2 hrs off my time and he liked what the R29 was offering compared to his R25/OB..... and guess what, he's trading his R25/OB for a new R29S. Just goes to show you, even after a few months a new boat owner can have second thoughts about what they've purchased.
 
Bruce, Sounds like staring at my computer screen on Ranger Tugs or any other's website :? And virtual boats, too.
 
Thanks, Baz. I think we always want something bigger and better and I probably would if I could. Heck. Maybe in the future I can. But for now, the R25 is right for me and mine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top