Swim Step Hinge?

[dwilkieo]

Tugnuts,

I am seriously looking at the R27 and the R29. I live in Santa Barbara, where we have to pay gobs of money to aquire a slip. My current slip will allow a boat that is no more than exactly 31' 0". I believe the R27 would fit in my current slip without any cost to me. If I went for the R29 I believe it would not fit within the allowed dimensions. Any comments on the differences between the two boats are welcome, but also has anybody modified the swim step on the R29 to hinge up and reduce the Length Over All to fall within the 31' 0" maximum for my slip. The alternative is big bucks and an inferior location for a larger slip. Probably $25 K difference after selling my slip.

Thanks so much

David

 

[scross]

David,
Not sure if this is your first post. If so, welcome!
There are a couple of threads on this subject including a fairly current thread you may want to search to review. Search "Swim step removal" for some feedback and for an older 2013 thread that's R29 specific, search "Swim platform removal"
in general, the swim platforms on the Ranger Tugs are fixed mounted with the support brackets bolted through the stern. It would be a pretty significant modification to change that.
I'm sure you could have a marine shop somewhere do a custom modification for you but that would probably not be cheap.
With the R27, you would have about 11" to spare which could allow you to leave a dinghy attached to the rear of the swim platform and still meet your length restrictions.