Swim platform removal

[Boont Boater]

Hi there,

Can the swim platform on the R-29 be removed? We have a berth we're currently in that we would prefer not to lose if we move up. If yes to the first question - if I took a tape measure to the entire length of the boat (including the anchor), without the swim platform, what would the length be?

How long have you been putting Volvo engines in the boats? Major differences between the Yanmars and the Volvos? I appreciate any information you can give me.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[ozoner]

It should be easily removable - it has 4 attach points at the hull plus some brackets. But WOW what a loss of usable space... Docking would be awkward as well.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The trade off for getting a longer slip and keeping the swimstep vs removing it: you are removing some of the space and function of the 29. On your CD-25 (we have the same model), climbing over the coaming is how you get on the boat. Imagine stepping onto the swimstep on the 29, and walking through the transom door. If you are going to get in the water from the boat, you will have to get a long ladder to hook on the coaming. You lose the dinghy storage on the step. And the propane locker. The railing on the swimstep. If you have a full camperback enclosure, you can have an easy access opening at the transom door... and not have to climb over the coaming or take a step ladder with you when you travel to accommodate coming aboard.

Our CD-25 has a small swimstep, but it sure isn't as functional as the full-width version on the Rangers. Even without a transom door on our boat, we use the swimstep, but have to climb over the engine well.

Remove it, and you will have some cosmetic work to make the stern look decent. You will want to store that swimstep, because the next owner is certainly going to want it... resale value would take a hit without it. You'll spend money to put it back on... or reduce the price accordingly. I understand that many folks don't buy a boat considering resale value... but to remove function AND take a price hit?

If it were me, I'd spend the bucks on a bigger slip (even if we were crazy about our slip neighbors - they might move) and keep the function.

Some things work better on a bigger boat. There is a reason so many of them have swimsteps.

Jim B.

 

[Boont Boater]

Thanks for the responses. Thoughtful as usual James.

I certainly wasn't planning on throwing the swim step away. But your points about access, etc. are well made. It seems like we climbed over the side, part of the time, when we chartered a 29.

The Berkeley Marina is a favorite of sailboats because of the regular wind that comes in the Golden Gate. I wanted a transient berth and they stuck us in the corner where we're sheltered from the wind and have a view of water and the park. It was such a nice location we never left. We live in Mendocino County but stay on the boat often since most of our relatives are in the Bay Area. Sooo I was trying to finagle a way to get a 29 into the slip.

Will somebody from Ranger give me the actual length or do I need to take a tape measure down to Alameda?

I have been AWOL from this forum and the C-Brats for awhile. I'm happy to be back.

 

[Barry Cohen]

Not sure if it is similar, but the swim platform on the R-27 is 30" deep.

 

[ozoner]

According to the R-29 specs page, 33 feet even.

http://www.rangertugs.com/R-29

 

[knotflying]

I don't thing that would include the anchor overhang.

 

[Boont Boater]

It says 33 feet with the swim step and 29 feet without. However boat manufacturers have a funny way of measuring things. If the boat really is 29 from bow to stern plus less then a foot for the anchor that would be significant for us.

When we told them we wanted to rent the slip I had to bring the C-Dory over to the office dock to be measured and check registration, etc. Crafty guy that I am I left the motor down. Is that how your leaving your boat in the slip? No. What a surprise a C-25 is almost 29 feet with the motor out and anchor on! Ka-ching. Other marinas seem to be a bit more laid back about boat length.