Ranger vs. Cutwater

[Bes1020]

This fall my wife and I plan to start our search for a new boat in earnest. The criteria we have are that;
1. The boat be outfitted such that we can spend a week or two in the Bahamas.
2. That it be trailerable from our home in the Keys to a suitable launch site on the East coast.

Two of the four boats we have an interest in are the Ranger Tug 29 and the Cutwater 28 (the other two are a Glacier Bay 2770 and a Pursuit OS285). Can anyone on the board offer a comparison and contrast to the Ranger and Cutwater (and/or the other brands as well). I am particularly interested in relative seakeeping qualities.

Thank you in advance

 

[captain's cat]

All different boats. You should go look/trial each one if you are going to drop that much cash.

Two outboard, two inboard diesels. Two with twins, others, one engine.
Two very fast (glacier bay and pursuit), one pretty quick (cutwater), one trawler (relatively slow)
Two with "minimal" accommodations"', two very "plush"
The cat hull will be great in a seaway ( I have a TC 255), the others to a lesser but different extent

Kinda like comparing a Honda, a Nissan, a Lexus, and a BMW!

All will get you to the grocery store.

Be interesting to see which you choose, and why 😉

Charlie

 

[GulfSailor]

All different boats. You should go look/trial each one if you are going to drop that much cash.

Two outboard, two inboard diesels. Two with twins, others, one engine.
Two very fast (glacier bay and pursuit), one pretty quick (cutwater), one trawler (relatively slow)
Two with "minimal" accommodations"', two very "plush"
The cat hull will be great in a seaway ( I have a TC 255), the others to a lesser but different extent

Kinda like comparing a Honda, a Nissan, a Lexus, and a BMW!

All will get you to the grocery store.

Be interesting to see which you choose, and why 😉

Charlie

I think you covered the bases pretty well there.

 

[Bes1020]

I have actually been on board three of the four models. ( Ranger, Pursuit, Glacier Bay) I believe I have a pretty good understanding of most of the pros and cons when it comes to accomodations, speed and economy. Certainly the diesel engine and upgraded amenities of the Ranger and the Cutwater are very attractive. What i don't have a good feel for is how each of these vessels will perform in the event conditions become a bit rough. As a relative novice in terms of venturing offshore I would like to make sure that my equipment can, if not offset, at least not exacerbate my lack of experience.

I would probably go for a Nordhavn if it were within my budget and if I could figure out howw to trailer 25 tons with a F350.

 

[captain's cat]

I'm sure R29 and Cutwater owners will chime in here. As for being offshore, the smallest thing I've really been offshore in is a Navy hydrofoil (PHM), the largest, an Aircraft Carrier..

Good luck in your search.

Charlie

 

[Levitation]

I have no experience in any of the 4 boats... But I do have real life experience in a Ranger R25 in going into extreme wave conditions... The boat can take way more than you can...

 

[JamesTXSD]

Picking a weather window is the key for making a crossing to the Bahamas. With a home in the Keys, you wouldn't have to haul the boat out there to launch on the East Coast, you could just ride the Gulfsteam, making some east while the stream takes you north.

Watching weather, any of the boats you are considering could make that crossing. Get wind against current, and none of them would be much fun.

Of those 4 boats, only the Cutwater has an 8'6" beam, making it easily trailerable. The Glacier Bay is just 8'9", so is close. The other two are wide enough that you'd need to deal with wide load issues - not a big problem, but something to consider. The 4 boats in consideration are so different from one another that it is going to come down to which one "floats your boat." Enclosed cabins vs cuddy is pretty significant. I am a big fan of an enclosed helm and the weather protection (both heat and cold) that offers.

Good luck with your decisions - a ride on each and some time spent seeing how you would live on the boat day-to-day would be the way to go. Lay on the berths, sit at the dinette, pretend to cook at the galley while your significant other wants to move around the boat. Get in the head/shower and see if everything fits. Sit out in the cockpit. Move from the cockpit to the bow as you would when docking/line handling.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JerryE]

Two points I can make:
1. Where you live in the Keys may make a difference. In Florida the maximum width for trailering cannot exceed 102" or 8.5 feet without a permit. The problem is that on public roads that do not have at least one through lane of 12 feet or more in each direction, vehicles exceeding 96 inches (just 8 feet) may be restricted by local officials (http://law.onecle.com/florida/motor-vehicles/316.515.html). I recall a sign as you come onto Islamarado on the Overseas Highway (US 1) limiting vehicle width, although I can't remember exactly what it said. A cursory check of the internet did not help. The Keys are infamous for hassling trailer towers over width, tie down straps, etc. Just something you should check.

2. After years of mentally comparing express style boats (cruiser/fishing boat crossovers) and cruisers to the tug boat style, aside from their external looks I discovered there is another major discriminating difference. The interior of the tug boat emphasizes living conditions high up with large windows all around, while the typical cruiser has the living spaces down below–usually including the galley, head and dinette spaces. These interior spaces usually have small portholes (frequently non opening) at eye level or higher and a clear hatch or two to let in light, but you cannot sit and look out. The Cutwater manages to get more living space up high with great windows, but not as much as the tug boat which limits the down-and-dark space to the bedroom, where darkness makes sense. Even the head (except on the ≥29) is up above on the tugs with a giant window. Of course, a down side is limiting your vision aft on the starboard side with a head being high in the cabin.

You'll notice that on many ≤27' boats around you on moorings/anchor folks are sitting in the helm and co-pilot seats reading, resting, and hanging out as opposed to being down below in the living spaces, because they want the view and air.

Once you own and spend time in a tug (or Cutwater for the most part) you will appreciate sitting at the dinette, or working at the galley, or even sitting in the head with windows and light all around you, not to mention even above you. This was a major, unconscious, reason I moved from sailboats to trawler style vessels. Sitting "indoors" on a Ranger/Cutwater is a pleasure no matter what the weather; in a sailboat or cruiser with small port holes–not so much...

 

[GulfSailor]

This fall my wife and I plan to start our search for a new boat in earnest. The criteria we have are that;
1. The boat be outfitted such that we can spend a week or two in the Bahamas.
2. That it be trailerable from our home in the Keys to a suitable launch site on the East coast.

Two of the four boats we have an interest in are the Ranger Tug 29 and the Cutwater 28.........am particularly interested in relative seakeeping qualities.

Thank you in advance

I think both will easily meet the criteria in 1 & 2, although the R29 is a much bigger boat all round than a C28; an R27 might be a better comparison.
The cabins and berths are similar on both and it's very obvious they are part of the same family.
Both boats use the same electronics and hardware, and the interior design is similar..

As for making the crossing safely and in comfort, again both will be fine, as would even smaller models, as long as you're patient enough to wait for the weather window.
You'd need a much bigger boat to be able to ignore it.

 

[Bes1020]

Thank you all for some great insight.

 

[rt11002003]

A few weeks ago I read an article where the writer claimed there were very few small diesel boats spending time in the Islands. He said the reason was that diesel fuel was so expensive there. And, the folks with the small diesel boats tended to be price conscious. I asked a friend about it last week. He and his wife are getting ready for their third trip. They're sailors, said they've been seeing more small trawlers the past couple of years. Also, commented that the big sport fishing diesel boats go down with full tanks and don't buy fuel, or much of anything down there.

gene

 

[walldog]

A few weeks ago I read an article where the writer claimed there were very few small diesel boats spending time in the Islands. He said the reason was that diesel fuel was so expensive there. And, the folks with the small diesel boats tended to be price conscious. I asked a friend about it last week. He and his wife are getting ready for their third trip. They're sailors, said they've been seeing more small trawlers the past couple of years. Also, commented that the big sport fishing diesel boats go down with full tanks and don't buy fuel, or much of anything down there.

gene

Hi Gene, Most of the sailboats we see in the islands are powered by small diesel engines. There are a great number of these sailboats and a good portion of them do motor a lot. We are seeing quite a few more Ranger Tugs up here this year as compared to last year. A couple of weeks ago we traveled with Destiny and Moondance to the Gulf Islands. We went to Rosario, Cleared customs at Bedwell, Ganges, Conover Cove, Buchart Gardens, Victoria, Friday Harbor and back to Anacortes. We filled up before we left and topped off back in Anacortes using 50 gallons for the 8 days or so. Less than $200 for a wonderful time with like minded friends. Of course I do have to tell you that we spent a bit more than $200 on wine and food...but who is counting? Oh wait, I was talking about the San Juan Islands, maybe you meant some other islands.

 

[abcandjrc]

This may not make me too popular after reading a bit about access on the site. But open the engine compartment on all your potential choices and see if you can reach the oil filter, the fuel filter, the dipstick for the engine and the dipstick for the transmission. Even if you pay for service, someone has to get at them. And I have seen "professionally maintained" boats, 10 years old with 3000 hours, which still had the factory oil filter in place. He may not think it worth the trouble and figures you won't check up on him.

We crossed from Key West to Chubb one time. Anchored on the bank overnight outside Bahamian waters to avoid overtime (which I understand is now a non-issue). We have also crossed from West Palm.

A couple thoughts no matter which boat you choose.

Some wait for a weather window all winter long. The height of the waves is directly proportional to the number of people reporting them. Same applies to the passes once you are there. The best weather advice is the weather radio, not other cruisers.

As already said, most boats will take a lot more than we can. Decide for yourself. I know we were the only ones to cross from West Palm one night but we were eating conch burgers the next day, the rest were at McDonalds.

Don't worry about fuel or water costs. Fill up here, but the small difference in total dollars to top off there should not keep anyone out of The Bahamas.

With experience, you learn what to haul with you, what to buy there. Check with folks who have been there recently. Each time we went, our waterline stripe was deeper in the water on departure than on the previous trip. Look for hidden places to hide things. The space under our bulwarks was jammed with paper towels and toilet paper, expensive there. Lamb was cheaper there than in the states. Experience helps decide provisioning.

The conch man is the best place to get conch. Unless you have the proper tools, lots of water for cleaning yourself up, and Ben-Gay to soothe your sore thumbs. First thing ashore at any small island ask where the "bread lady" lives. Can't be beaten.

Go ashore and meet the people. I enjoyed them so much I have considered a move for several years. Only one thing stops me, and that is health care at my age. (I can handle the other one if I have to by just saying "I'm going, are you coming with me?".) We are old enough that no one will write a medical policy for us.

Story: Cooper's Town, Abaco. We were heading home at the end of our first trip and hadn't had souse, a favored Bahamian dish. We went ashore in Cooper's Town and saw a sign that read Evl's Place, Souse Specialist. We were traveling in company with another boat and that evening we went to Evl's. My wife and I had souse, the other couple had grouper. Exactly a year later, we went in alone and Evl came out from behind the counter and gave us a hug. "I remember you!". She even remembered that we had souse and the couple with us had grouper. Exactly a year after that we went in. Evl was talking to another Bahamian and he told her to go ahead and take care of us. She said "That's OK, they're old friends of mine. I already know what they want." How can folks spend time in The Bahamas and not go ashore and mix with these wonderful people?

 

[rt11002003]

Hi walldog,

Living in the SE, when we think Islands, it's the Bahamas. Didn't know there was such a thing as the San Juans until a trip there a couple of years ago ago to attend a nephew's wedding. 😱 😉

Actually, that's a stretch, have a friend who lived and sailed in the Seattle area for years. He let me in on the secret. 🙂

gene

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi walldog,

Living in the SE, when we think Islands, it's the Bahamas. Didn't know there was such a thing as the San Juans until a trip there a couple of years ago ago to attend a nephew's wedding. 😱 😉

Actually, that's a stretch, have a friend who lived and sailed in the Seattle area for years. He let me in on the secret. 🙂

gene

If you ever look at any of the cruising magazine surveys, the San Juan Islands are consistently rated in the Top 5 of places to cruise. This is our 3rd summer (in the past 6) in the area, and we haven't seen it all.

Being from the Tropical Tip of Texas (same town as Herb/Walldog) I used to think islands and thought of Hawaii... the Keys... the Bahamas... the Caribbean. You may need a jacket in July, but the San Juans (and the Canadian Gulf Islands) are a great place to boat!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[captain's cat]

Great article in the latest BOAT US magazine about boating to wineries in the San Juan Islands.

Charlie