R25 vs R27

[wabislander]

Trying to decide between the R25 and R27. Going to see the R27 in a couple of weeks in person. Have only seen boats on-line to-date.

Appreciate any feedback from those that have been in both (perfect world), or owners of each model.

My main concern on the R27 is towing. We will be getting a vehicle to match the needed capacity after we decide on the boat model. For an R25 I was planning on towing capacity of 10,000 to 11,000 lbs. Assuming the R27 would be safe at 11,000 to 12,000 lbs.

Concern if there is increased challenges on towing the R27 vs the R25, as in the added length cause issues in trying to do x, y or z?

Thanks for any feedback in advance

 

[Brian 27 OB]

We went with the 27 because the dealer had a new one sitting on the lot and my wife told me to buy it. After being in the 25 I almost prefer it’s layout, it has the dinette on the port side. Which means you can sit at both sides of the table while underway. Whereas the 27 the forward dinette seat is the helm chair, I feel like a midget in that wide seat and the rare times my wife sits with me I have to hold my knees together so she has room for hers. I want to manspread piloting my boat not sit like a lady. Also, the quarter berth seems larger on the 25. The 27 gives you propane, a bigger head and the awesome double wide seat on the forward deck. Maybe I’m wrong here, but I felt like the 25 got on plane at a lower speed and had a lot less bow rise compared to by 27. Lots a variables with my experience so I would wait for others that own a 25 to comment. The 27 platform is not as well laid out as the 25, the 25 also gives you rails around the cockpit and a bimini that is more open so you don’t feel completely out of the sun. Get lithium batteries, lots of them and upgrade to a 60amp or 100amp charger so you can juice them back up quickly. I don’t miss the generators in our old boats. Never had a problem with them since we ran them more than the main engines, but the silence is so nice while on the hook. Either way you go will be the similar towing. Our 30’ airstream (9200lbs) and the 27’ ranger (11,700lbs) tow about the same, 8.5’ wide beam is very manageable, diesel truck makes all the difference. I have a pic in my album of the rig. It doesn’t seems overwhelming. I have gas trucks too and towing with them is doable but not enjoyable. I would take the towing out of the equation for now and figure out how you will use the boat and see which one works best for you. I think either would be comfortable for my wife and I with the occasional 1 or 2 of our 3 high school/college aged kids with us (I said occasionally!)

 

[UVAfisherman]

I just went through the same debate and ended up with the 27. I really like the 25 and was impressed with how it handled. My concern, and what pushed me over to the 27, was comfortable capacity for day trips. We are 3, and if we bring a family of 4 out for the day, the 25 was tight. The 27 has ever so slightly more space in the aft seating area. It also has the seat on the bow (obviously not for underway).

I was all set to buy, and had a deposit on the 25, but upsold myself after doing sea trials of both boats.

 

[Red-27]

the 27 has the dinghy lift