Hydraulicjump
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2011
- Messages
- 646
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-30 CB
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2911F415
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Necky Looksha VII, Liquidlogic Remix, Jackson 4Fun
- Vessel Name
- La Barka (2015)
Hey all. Freshly back from the Seattle Boat Show where we got a good, long look at the new R-29S. I thought I would start a new thread for those visiting the show to report on their observations on this or any other boats.
See the video online: http://www.rangertugs.com/R-29S
Here are a couple of off-the-cuff notes my wife and I came away with:
Good looking boat. It is very different than the traditional tugs and really fits better with the Cutwater line, but it has enough "tugginess" to be a member of the tug tribe. Still, it's a Tugwater.
The hull looks a lot like the Cutwater 30, so I anticipate that it will perform like one. I will hopefully get some time in the boat this spring and can give my impression on handling. I like the new Volvo powerplant, especially because of my tempestuous relationship with Yanmar service in the Bay Area.
Super simple to access all systems, particularly compared to our R-27 with a Yanmar engine. They even got smart about the shower sump, which is a pain to get to on our boat. The impeller replacement, the most onerous task on the 27's and 25's is a breeze. Same with oil filters and fuel filters. Best news of all, you can get to the rear thruster by opening the rear lazarette beneath the seat. You can even sit while working on it.
The cockpit is a dream. Spacious with easy access to storage. With the large cockpit overhang, I wonder if a lot of buyers will forgo the bimini. It looks great for fishing, too. And it is really smart to put in the fold down seats instead of the gull wing seats you see on the 31. That way people have a place to sit while underway (something the gull wing seats aren't so good at unless you don't mind getting your butt wet).
The fit and finish of the interior is definitely Tug quality, with a lot of creative space saving. Given how small the galley is, it is surprising how much actual storage there is. They adopted one of the mods others have done and put panels in to access storage under the cabinets. We can live with the single sink (have so far), but counter top space is a bit limited. The table comfortably seats four, although my wife found the cushions to be rock hard. The steering and nav systems are all familiar to us, so nothing to report there.
The cave is not terribly large, but useable for sleeping kids or relatives and friends you don't like. Getting in and out of it, which requires lifting the rear seat, is a pain, but makes for efficient use of space. Frankly, it is where extra boat stuff goes to die, which is fine.
What most people remark on when they are in the boat is the Starship Enterprise look of the cabin ceiling. It is really spectacular and will be wonderful on a gloomy, gray day in the Pacific Northwest...which is most days. For the 8 weeks of summer that hits the PNW after July 4th it will be really hot, but they are putting tinted windows in that reflect a lot of heat. Still, little doubt that this will be a warm boat. There is not a lot of cross ventilation since only two side windows open. And since these do not have screens, I am not sure how a warm, buggy day will be handled.
My wife and I both thought the forward berth was wonderful. It's a big bed with easy access and super comfortable to lie on, with easy access to storage underneath. We also thought the head was put together well with one spectacular innovation: the door opens inward instead of outward. This gets rid of the annoying leaking door that drives so many of us nuts.
The TV is in a goofy place and there is no closet for hanging clothes. Not sure where one hangs clothes, but I am making the assumption they will put something into the cave.
They have made it easy to move around on the deck, with better grab bars. And the forward deck is large with great potential for napping, along with two hatches for storing fenders.
So we are over it not looking like a traditional tug and sold on moving up to this boat. But, as noted in the previous post, we are not in a hurry and are waiting to see what the command bridge looks like before we decide.
Others can chime in with their own thoughts, please!
Jeff
See the video online: http://www.rangertugs.com/R-29S
Here are a couple of off-the-cuff notes my wife and I came away with:
Good looking boat. It is very different than the traditional tugs and really fits better with the Cutwater line, but it has enough "tugginess" to be a member of the tug tribe. Still, it's a Tugwater.
The hull looks a lot like the Cutwater 30, so I anticipate that it will perform like one. I will hopefully get some time in the boat this spring and can give my impression on handling. I like the new Volvo powerplant, especially because of my tempestuous relationship with Yanmar service in the Bay Area.
Super simple to access all systems, particularly compared to our R-27 with a Yanmar engine. They even got smart about the shower sump, which is a pain to get to on our boat. The impeller replacement, the most onerous task on the 27's and 25's is a breeze. Same with oil filters and fuel filters. Best news of all, you can get to the rear thruster by opening the rear lazarette beneath the seat. You can even sit while working on it.
The cockpit is a dream. Spacious with easy access to storage. With the large cockpit overhang, I wonder if a lot of buyers will forgo the bimini. It looks great for fishing, too. And it is really smart to put in the fold down seats instead of the gull wing seats you see on the 31. That way people have a place to sit while underway (something the gull wing seats aren't so good at unless you don't mind getting your butt wet).
The fit and finish of the interior is definitely Tug quality, with a lot of creative space saving. Given how small the galley is, it is surprising how much actual storage there is. They adopted one of the mods others have done and put panels in to access storage under the cabinets. We can live with the single sink (have so far), but counter top space is a bit limited. The table comfortably seats four, although my wife found the cushions to be rock hard. The steering and nav systems are all familiar to us, so nothing to report there.
The cave is not terribly large, but useable for sleeping kids or relatives and friends you don't like. Getting in and out of it, which requires lifting the rear seat, is a pain, but makes for efficient use of space. Frankly, it is where extra boat stuff goes to die, which is fine.
What most people remark on when they are in the boat is the Starship Enterprise look of the cabin ceiling. It is really spectacular and will be wonderful on a gloomy, gray day in the Pacific Northwest...which is most days. For the 8 weeks of summer that hits the PNW after July 4th it will be really hot, but they are putting tinted windows in that reflect a lot of heat. Still, little doubt that this will be a warm boat. There is not a lot of cross ventilation since only two side windows open. And since these do not have screens, I am not sure how a warm, buggy day will be handled.
My wife and I both thought the forward berth was wonderful. It's a big bed with easy access and super comfortable to lie on, with easy access to storage underneath. We also thought the head was put together well with one spectacular innovation: the door opens inward instead of outward. This gets rid of the annoying leaking door that drives so many of us nuts.
The TV is in a goofy place and there is no closet for hanging clothes. Not sure where one hangs clothes, but I am making the assumption they will put something into the cave.
They have made it easy to move around on the deck, with better grab bars. And the forward deck is large with great potential for napping, along with two hatches for storing fenders.
So we are over it not looking like a traditional tug and sold on moving up to this boat. But, as noted in the previous post, we are not in a hurry and are waiting to see what the command bridge looks like before we decide.
Others can chime in with their own thoughts, please!
Jeff