R41 in Puget Sound?

[LightBarn]

Thinking of an R41- what are the thoughts and experiences of one in Puget Sound? I worry about the Volvo IPS pods for maintenance and worry about smashing props first into a crab trap/deadhead/other garbage here.

Since it's technically 46' LOA, any issues with WA park buoys?

 

[LightBarn]

Looked up what WA state considers length:

(6) "Length" means the overall length of a vessel as measured in a straight line parallel to the keel from the foremost part of the vessel to the aftermost part, not including bowsprit or bumkin or as shown on vessel's state or coast guard registration certificate.

So based on overhangs generally not being counted, I am guessing the registration saying 41' is good enough. Just don't want to be at-fault with insurance/the state if I break one of their buoys.


Still considered about pod maintenance and longevity.

 

[baz]

The bigger the boat and given R41 has two engines and two IPS forward facing pods expect maintenance to be aligned with the size of the boat (i.e., expensive).

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Had the pleasure of walking through one and going for a spin the other day. It is a very impressive boat. It is also a big step up from the 31, both in size and in systems. So Barry is right, more than double the cost of maintenance (boat has to be hauled to service the pod drives), a big jump in slip fees, lots of new and innovative systems and redundancies, and more. It definitely is not in the pocket trawler class, but it is competitive with the 40'-something boats that many of us leer at when they go by.

What I will say, however, is it is easier to handle than a 31 or 29 because of its pod drives with the joystick and its dynamic positioning. This time, RT really took all the fun out of docking.

It's big (but you would be fine on a mooring), it's expensive, but it is a perfectly wonderful boat. Perfect for the PNW and Alaska. Go check one out.

Jeff

 

[johnbenj]

[...] because of its pod drives with the joystick and its dynamic positioning. This time, RT really took all the fun out of docking.

HA!!

 

[LightBarn]

I just have seen some anecdotal costs in the $2k to $10k range for fairly normal annual service for IPS equipped twin - just for the PODS themselves. So not sure if this is horror stories or what.

The R41 is one of the boats that can fit separate washer/dryer - so that is the draw. We chartered a Bayliner 4788 some years ago, and never really had issues parking it with twin shaft-driven screws and a bow thruster - even single handed. So to me the pods seem like more of a cost/liability than the value they provide (efficiency / easy docking).

 

[NEDBETTY]

We have a 31 cb cannot put a rope cutter on shaft no room hope they allowed for space on the 41 which we are also looking at once we sell our 31.
It is an awesome boat

 

[Karll]

A 41 would be a dream boat my biggest concern other than price is the draft. Where we go on Stuart Island with a really low tide it can get down to 5-6 feet at the dock.

 

[ixlr8]

I just have seen some anecdotal costs in the $2k to $10k range for fairly normal annual service for IPS equipped twin - just for the PODS themselves. So not sure if this is horror stories or what.

The R41 is one of the boats that can fit separate washer/dryer - so that is the draw. We chartered a Bayliner 4788 some years ago, and never really had issues parking it with twin shaft-driven screws and a bow thruster - even single handed. So to me the pods seem like more of a cost/liability than the value they provide (efficiency / easy docking).

I was told that all that is done for the annual service on the PODS on the Sabre 66 I worked on building, was changing the oil and filter on each POD, which is easy to do. Then there is the expense of cleaning the PODS themselves of any growth/build up. Not sure what that would cost. Every few years the PODS calibration should be checked/redone, and that takes about 30 minutes and can only be done by a Volvo tech. Now if something went wrong with one of the PODS... then it gets ugly fast $$$$$.
When it comes to performance and maneuverability, it is hard to beat the POD setup.

 

[LightBarn]

The concern doesn't seem to be the scheduled costs, but the surprises of water intrusion or more-frequent prop damage (plus double the number of props). It definitely seems more frequent in earlier versions of the smaller pods, but I don't know that there is a version that is really proven from a longevity standpoint. In a land where all the boat sellers have pushed the keels protecting the props, having a boat without the keel, where the props are forward facing, does have some cause for concern. Particularly when they mine the entrance of harbors with crab traps, which then drift until the float is just under water. The biggest "win" seems to be the position hold feature while sitting and waiting for the pump out or fuel station to get free.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

As I noted in an earlier post, I got to mess around with one. From the outside it looks like someone took our R29CB and pumped it full of steroids. But that is where the similarities end. Twin D4s with pod drives is a quantum leap up. You just have amazing control in maneuvering in tight quarters. Dynamic positioning is incredibly cool. I would not hesitate to single hand this boat (easier than our 29). And the pod drives are surprisingly efficient. I was pleasantly surprised at displacement speeds how close it came in fuel consumption to our 29. Now, put the boat up on plane and it warms the planet. And with its relatively small 300 gallon tank you do not go fast for long.

I checked around and yes, if you run aground or hit a deadhead there will be some costs. But interestingly, the pods are designed to absorb the shock without tearing a hole in the hull. A lot of us know folks who have nearly sunk their boats when they tore their running gear out. And you can drive these like an out drive with only one pod or engine working.

There is a significant increase in cost of service. The older versions had to be hauled to drain the pod oil, but newer versions allow for service in the water. My guess is a three-fold increase in engine/pod service costs over, say, the 29 or 31. But that’s a guess. And the concern about leaking seals doesn’t seem to be what it used to be. Pods have been around for decades in commercial application, and in the last 10 years have become mainstream in recreational.

Bottom line, the overall cost differential is pretty big. But the boat is fantastic. We all have an inner economist who can calculate the benefit/cost ratio.

Jeff

 

[FWTMD]

I have to confess I do not understand the R41.

Part of the appeal and popularity of the rest of the line of R's and C's is the trailerable aspect, starting with attention to max beam and trailered air draft, with the designs flowing from those constraints. No other boats come close to the Fluid boats in meeting a trailered mission.

So the 41 comes along and enters the fray against a BIG set of competitive choices, no longer the King of a segment no one else chases. Starting at $800K for a Sedan with no other options. As alternatives you can go in two directions, speed and glitz, or semi-displacement / displacement trawlers with long distance range, and find lots of choices in either direction. Just as an example a Beneteau 41 on the speed / glitz side starts at $561k with twin 300 Volvos but you will add a lot options to that, but still have a lot of $$$ room to spare. On the trawler side its not hard to find outstanding boats from $600k to $750k that are built like tanks with lots of room and comfort without the speed (and costs of speed), and better engines.

Is it a lot of boat with a lot of appeal? Absolutely. Are there lots of others with lots of appeal? Absolutely. Lots of choices.

 

[LightBarn]

I really like the new Beneteau Swift 41 and the GT 46 (which is still under 45' hull length)

Downsides:
Balsa core construction - below waterline too from all reports - it's perfectly fine until it isn't.
I am going to be in Puget Sound - so I can always leave a flaming bag of poop on the Livingston's doorstep if needed, harder with the French boats.
GT series also has pod drive, and you need to go over 45' length to get washer/dryer provisions from factory
GT doesn't have a door by the helm - single handed docking is a HUGE plus for me.

Plusses:
Boats have more useable space and look more modern. The Swift 41 has 3 staterooms, one would make a nice little office/nav station.
I really like the GT46 layout, huge Salon that easily spills to cockpit, big galley below decks with second salon. The aft stateroom looks bigger than our apartment in NYC was.

But, the balsa core really scares me, I'd have 7 years of warranty, unless they determine it was a piece of driftwood or otherwise that caused water intrusion/delamination.

 

[ixlr8]

But, the balsa core really scares me, I'd have 7 years of warranty, unless they determine it was a piece of driftwood or otherwise that caused water intrusion/delamination.

Depends on how it was laid up. Sabre uses a balsa core, but with the vacuum infusion of the resin system they use, the balsa is well sealed from any chance of water getting into it. If it is just glass laid over the balsa, then I would be a bit more nervous.

 

[LightBarn]

It looks like they cut the balsa into blocks which is secured to some sort of artificial backing, then use vacuum to pull the resin through everything.
https://youtu.be/FDBnm8k0REo?t=88

Same video says a robot does all the cutouts, which hopefully means the core is cut back and filled. Doing a little more digging, balsa issues on Beneteau don't seem to be rampant. But I'd still rather not have it with one of the Puget Sound built boats.

 

[FlyMeAway]

Having been aboard both the R41 and a an Aspen C120, in roughly the same price range, I'd take a look at the Aspen as well, especially for Puget Sound.

As others have noted, once you get into that price range there are lots of options...