Ranger 27 vs Cutwater 28 - differences?

[linedoctor]

I owned a Cutwater 28 and have owned a 27 OB Since August. (there was a beloved 29 classic in between but that’s another story)

Both are great boats with pros no cons depending on your exact circumstances. It’s a major decision...Cannot boil it down for you here. PM me if you want details.

 

[RichardK]

I really researched it and so we almost bought the C-28, until I found out about Ranger Tugs. We ended up buying a R-29CB.
We trailer it from Florida to Chicago and back in the summer and fall. Permits don't seem to be that much of a problem, since it is not a "wide load". The extra room can't be overstated. There are several advantages of the R-29 to consider:

1) 1.5' extra beam and 1' extra length. The extra beam it the most important
2) "Walk around" permanent main berth
3) Larger and more comfortable "cave", oriented lengthwise, instead of a beam, for easy access
4) Much more spacious cockpit
5) Rear opening bulkhead w/reversible dinette seat (depending on the year of the C-28)
6) Wider salon table for 4
7) Wider helm seat, seating two comfortably
8) Bigger more comfortable "dry head" shower
9) Larger tank capacity i.e. fuel (45%), water (50%) hot water (83%) and holding tank (33%)
10) 22" main berth TV instead of 19"
11) 22" retractable salon TV
12) Thruster remote
13) Fusion operated through the Garmin
14) More extensive electronics

I'm providing this list to consider in your decision. Of course, you know what's for your circumstances.
Hope this was helpful.

Richard Kent

 

[RichardK]

I forgot:

15) Wrap around windshield
16) Extensive wrap around skylights over helm

For the most part, I think these 16 items are correct, however, check for yourself as I may have made a mistake or two.

Good luck,

Richard Kent

 

[Savage]

RichardK,

Thank you so much for your time. This information is PERFECT! I was actually looking at every R29 I could find and this saves me a lot of effort. Although I liked the speed of the R27OB and the legal 8’6” beam, the additional benefits of the R29 are outweighing the R27.

I assume you have to flag and permit your trailer? It’s easy in Florida ($20 a year), not sure about the other states - Do you permit other states for the day or ?

And since you have the CB, sounds like the 13’3” height isnt an issue. My Baja has an arch, and some of the roads have lower hanging branches which frustrate the hell out of me!!!

Again thanks so much. This really helps!

 

[RichardK]

1) Actually have someone else handle the trailing since I don't have a trailer, but he has never indicated a problem with
permitting. I never noticed a flag or permits on the trailer.

2) The mast is collapsible so it is only 13' 3" on the trailer which is just 7" higher than the C-28

3) The bridge clearance is 13' 11' with mast up, which is 4' higher than the C-28, but the with the mast down it is 9' 11",
just 10" higher than the C-28

4) Because of the weight and extra beam, I believe the R-29 is meaningfully more stable in the seas.

Richard Kent

 

[BradOwens]

The biggest advantage with the R29 and R31 is, in my opinion, the walk around island berth in the forward stateroom.
The older R29s, and all the R31s also have a sliding door at the helm which makes line handling a breeze when docking or going through locks. They eliminated that door on the new model R29.

 

[RichardK]

Yes, the 31 has some advantages, but not many. It also has the old windshield and ceiling window and hatch design. It doesn't have the rear opening bulkhead w/reversible dinette seat other upgrades which are really great.

 

[FWTMD]

The 31 has:
Side door at the helm
Larger midship berth
Additional head in midship berth.
Double seat to port side of helm. 29 has double seat at helm, single to port.
Double sink in galley
Larger tank capacity of all types. With fuel this gives more range at displacement speeds.
Better layout / accessibility to electrical panels
Seat on the bow

The 29 has:
Improved visibility aft. More glass.
Opening rear glass for additional cockpit seat
Cool glass above the helm
Seems to have slightly more speed at WOT due to weight
Better bow cleat arrangement.
Obvious cost advantage
Cockpit side seats are inboard. Dry when underway.
Larger helm dashboard allows for additional plotter display

Its all about trade-offs. What is most important to you. There is no one right answer.

My two cents.

 

[Jrando305]

I had been looking at the cutwater 30 for a couple of years and final went to Pensacola to possibly buy one. they had three used ones to compare but two had the command bridge and one was an open cockpit model which we did not like at all. I had never considered the command bridge model and after learning how much work was involved taking it up and down each time it went on the trailer I decided it was not for me. l looked at the 27 ranger tug with the outboard but while the boat was really nice it didn't give me that big boat feeling. it was then that l was shown the cutwater 28, a 2018 with 25 hours on her. my wife and I spent two days on and off the boat getting a feel for how it would fit us (thanks Trip for not killing us!) and she decided it was the perfect fit for us. the biggest issues were the wet shower and the V berth not being a proper bed. Neither has been an issue. love the feel of the keel protected shaft drive diesel and the economy is great. After purchasing the boat I did the 700 mile trip home solo with no issues. Had Flat calm days and had days that were windy and super rough. the boat in my opinion handled all the conditions well. my biggest problem now has nothing to do with the boat, its this Dam pandemic, my boat is docked in Key Largo and since I live in Miami I am shut off from going to the Keys. fortunately I have friends that check the boat for me once a week. Good luck with your purchase. I like others on this forum had originally planed to keep the boat on a trailer but like it even more in the water

 

[Matty]

Just have to think how you are going to use it. When we were looking we started looking at used R27. When the 2018 came out with the outboard I jumped all over it. Being in Fl and traveling the intracoastal it is great to be able to go 30 to get out of the way of a storm. Lots of places to go faster if necessary. I like to cruise slower....just want to be my choice. Engine maintenance is very easy with the outboard. Every once in awhile I think how a larger model would be nice but I come back to earth. Love the outboard too much. I would say the 27 is plenty big during the day. Sleeping is an issue. Plenty of marinas around if guests want a B&B. Can always bring a tent. But.....if my wife wanted to spend 5-8 weeks at a time in it I might might to go bigger. I would just hope they would move to an outboard. Others would be disappointed....so personal preference.

 

[Savage]

Lol... its always the same answer isnt it? “If my wife wanted...”!!

I started out looking hard at the R27 - mostly because of the speed option (only when I need it). The guys on this thread had me looking at the R29 for the space (i have 3 kids, but one soon to be in the services). And that little voice in my head kept saying “yup... thats what she would want”... So, I’m right there brother!!

I guess I will be happy with either one to be honest. My Baja 405 is fast, and thats great. It has a 9’6” beam. 40’ long. We bought it mostly for fishing, trips to the keys, and the occasional trip to Bahamas. It’s just too big to trailer outside of Florida. Also, we find that even though its a long boat, it doesn’t really have much usable space. And when the kids are in the cabin, i dont see them at all. It’s more of a really fast day boat, (with a horrible draft @ 40”). So, when we take our trips, its not the family fun we were looking for. These Rangers/Cutwaters on the other hand... well that says family fun to me.

In any event, we will start touring these after the pandemic is faded (please stay safe everyone).