R27 vs C28

S

sidecarist

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2011
Messages
18
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Lund 21 Hardtop
Vessel Name
Moon Mist
Hello all... I am considering both the Ranger 27 and the Cutwater 28. I'm curious as to if anyone has sea trialed both boats and can make a comparison. I am interested in what the differences are in handling rough sea conditions, and stability at anchor. I also would like to know the actual dimensions of the v-berth in each boat for comparison. I'm 6'4" and 275# so space/comfort is my concern. I know that there will be a performance advantage with the C28 but while speed is nice, I'm not willing to give up on comfort either while cruising, or at anchor. Thank you all for such a great forum, it has made shopping for a new boat easier, as well as helping me with my "non Ranger"...

Bob
 
Hey Bob,
If you came on board the forum a few weeks earlier, I would have happily taken you for a sea trial on my 2011 R27. It lives at Harris Bay Yacht Club from ice out to mid October, give or take a week.

Phil
 
Bob

I can only speak of my R-27
I am 6' and over 255lbs -- my v-berth is great I sleep just fine with my wife on her side and the
puppy in the middle.

did not want a go fast boat 18+ depending on load current etc

we LOVE our r-27
 
Phil, Thanks for the offer. I'll take you up on it come spring. How does she handle the Lake George chop caused by all the traffic? I would consider keeping a new boat on Lake George, but Lake Champlain is probably more likely with more cruising opportunities both north and south. Of course the great thing about a trailerable boat is I could put her in Lake George any time I wanted...

John, Glad to hear that you and your wife can sleep comfortably and even accommodate your puppy. Taking the dog along is something we're going to have to figure out, particularly given that my puppy is a little larger... Dinghy rides for the dog!

Do any of the Cutwater owners want to chime in? I know there are only a few out there so far. I imaging come spring the Cutwater contingent will be quite a bit larger...

Bob
 
Hey Bob,
I used to have a 27' sailboat at the Willsboro Bay Marina on Champlain, a great marina by the way, but found the travel and "setup" time too much from Albany. I am spoiled by the pure, clear waters of Lake George...much nicer than Champlain with its lamprey eels and zebra mussels. On the other hand, the opportunity to explore is much better on Champlain.

I prefer the spring and fall, and week days during the summer to avoid the "churning" effect caused by the busy, boat traffic. I also spend time in the North basin...a bit more peaceful. My 27' Tug handles rough water quite well. You will notice a stiff beam wind, and a bit of splash on the foredeck due to the stubby bow shape. I love that my Tug is comfortable in any weather!!!

I would invite you to see my boat, but I don't leave it at Harris Bay...it's in a warehouse in Albany. It will be back at Lake George the day after ice out in the Spring.

Phil
 
The 28 is completely stable. We have some decorative items on shelves and tables and they have yet to come off. We've been in some relatively heavy seas at 20 plus knots and the 28 rides like a much larger boat. Our previous boat, a Searay 260, slammed in even moderate chop no matter how it was trimmed. And the Searay was a couple thousand pounds heavier. No slamming with the 28. You'll get some water over the bow at times but it's hard to care when you're sealed up inside.

It is a narrow boat though. If passengers walk around while on plane, you need the trim tabs to stay level. And in really heavy seas you're reminded you're in a small narrow beam boat.

The boat will go fast but it's a joy to go slow. I've found myself going fast only due to the break in requirement to keep the motor under load or when I absolutely need to get to point B quickly. Slow, the boat tracks like an arrow and doesn't move around.

Stability at rest is absolutely outstanding. The keel pad and skeg keel keep the boat rock steady. That was one issue we looked at closely when we went shopping for a new boat. Even the venerable Searay rocked a lot at rest, again while weighing substantially more.
 
Phil,
It is a hike from Albany to Willsboro! I'm quite a bit closer living in Bolton Landing. I to prefer the north basin of LG for its calmer water and smaller crowds. My son works at Norowal in the summer and we usually launch our Sea Ray there. We will get together after ice out. I really want my wife to see a Ranger on the water as she is skeptical about being enclosed as opposed to being out in the open air. I think a ride will change her way of thinking, and I really appreciate your offer!

Linedoctor, Thanks for the feedback. This is exactly the information I'm looking for. I think ultimately it will come down to the available space and how its used. The v-berth size and head accommodations will be important considerations. The Cutwater is a little more expensive, but I think that's the cost of the 260hp engine. We'll have to get on both boats and see how they feel. I was concerned that the C28 would not be as stable as the R27 and you've answered that clearly. What is access to the head like with the berth made up on your C28?

Thanks Again !

Bob
 
Bob,
I used to launch my 19' C-Dory (pre Ranger Tug) at Norowal for day use. Nice launch ramp! The C-Dory got almost as many looks as the Tug does.

Phil
 
Bob,

We only made the berth up once just to do it. Access to the head was not an issue at all.

My wife and I are pretty small and we have made the aft cabin our sleeping quarters. We leave the bow as a sitting area.
 
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