Travel on R23

[cwalden]

Good morning. Has anyone taken long trips on R23 and how was she in chip and 3-4 ft seas in case caught out there? Thanks for feedback. Has anyone made an open water crossing of some distance (25 mi+) Thanks for some feedback.


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[Ernie]

Hi
I spend lots of time cruising over days or weeks on our R23
She’s a good little boat for two people. She has all that you need for living aboard at anchor or on a dock.you'll find your own comfort level with the size limitations. We have a small house , small truck, small camper, so a small Ranger Tug is, of course what we gravitate to. We’ve made many crossings of the straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca and I enjoy the speed and the flexibility that comes with that speed. We pick a window of near slack when we can and go across when the wind is down. I’ve been out in some pretty big chop. 3’ to 4’ is not fun, you go slow and pay attention, and stay safe. I’ve been out in 6’ to 8’ chop and it’s much more than no fun. Because I don’t lock on to a schedule, I rarely feel like I have to be out there on rough days,. I’ve chosen to go into bigger weather as a way to learn about my boat, but not really out of necessity.
Best to plan Based on weather and tide then be reasonable and you’re boat will be fine.

 

[cathy&ron]

Cathy and I have 100 hours on Lady Grey on a variety of waters & conditioners. It's a common sense boat. It's fast, agile, and small in every dimension, & yet it will get along in any kind of waters if you accept the limitations that comes with any small craft. Use common sense before leaving the dock. Check the current weather conditions, don't overload the boat, and leave enough time in your planning to put off leaving and returning until the conditions match your boat & skills.

 

[jagizzi]

We have been out for as long as 2 1/2 weeks. Cross Juan de Fuca, Haro and the Georgia strait often. We travel with a 55 pound lab as well. The 23 is perfect for us. Best summed up with I would take it to Alaska in a heartbeat but my wife would fly up and meet me there 🙂

 

[Water Bill]

Hi Ron,

I have just under 1,200 hours on Mystery Girl my R-23. Most of these hours are at displacement speeds. I will be finishing up a 32 day trip on the Erie and Champlain Canals tomorrow. I cruised them from one end to the other and back. In July of I spent four weeks cruising around Isle Royal on Lake Superior. I spent three weeks there last summer and a week at the Apostles Islands. When I picked up Mystery Girl in 2017 I spent three weeks stopping at most of the San Juan Islands. On the trip back to South Carolina I stopped and spent three weeks at Yellowstone Lake. In the spring of 2018 I spent 26 days on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. So you can see it is definitely possible to take long trips on a R-23. I single hand these trips but I see no reason why they couldn’t be done with two people on board. It does take some preplanning to make sure you have enough provisions on board.

I made the 20 mile crossing from Grand Portage to Isle Royal and back two times. I was fortunate to have good weather each time. I did make one 10 mile crossing in the Keweenaw Bay on Lake Superior and ran into some 4 to 5 foot following seas. I just picked the speed that gave me the most comfortable ride and control and had no trouble. I do not go looking for these kind of conditions but now I know the boat will do fine in them.

For me the R-23 has turned out to be a great boat for the kind of cruising I do. Easy to trailer and no problem to single hand. I am really happy I chose this boat.

Bill

 

[cwalden]

Hi Ron,

I have just under 1,200 hours on Mystery Girl my R-23. Most of these hours are at displacement speeds. I will be finishing up a 32 day trip on the Erie and Champlain Canals tomorrow. I cruised them from one end to the other and back. In July of I spent four weeks cruising around Isle Royal on Lake Superior. I spent three weeks there last summer and a week at the Apostles Islands. When I picked up Mystery Girl in 2017 I spent three weeks stopping at most of the San Juan Islands. On the trip back to South Carolina I stopped and spent three weeks at Yellowstone Lake. In the spring of 2018 I spent 26 days on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. So you can see it is definitely possible to take long trips on a R-23. I single hand these trips but I see no reason why they couldn’t be done with two people on board. It does take some preplanning to make sure you have enough provisions on board.

I made the 20 mile crossing from Grand Portage to Isle Royal and back two times. I was fortunate to have good weather each time. I did make one 10 mile crossing in the Keweenaw Bay on Lake Superior and ran into some 4 to 5 foot following seas. I just picked the speed that gave me the most comfortable ride and control and had no trouble. I do not go looking for these kind of conditions but now I know the boat will do fine in them.

For me the R-23 has turned out to be a great boat for the kind of cruising I do. Easy to trailer and no problem to single hand. I am really happy I chose this boat.

Bill

Thank you so much Bill. Extremely happy with this information. God Speed. Hope to see you at a rendezvous some time.


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[cwalden]

We have been out for as long as 2 1/2 weeks. Cross Juan de Fuca, Haro and the Georgia strait often. We travel with a 55 pound lab as well. The 23 is perfect for us. Best summed up with I would take it to Alaska in a heartbeat but my wife would fly up and meet me there 🙂

Thank you jagizzi. This is very helpful and encouraging. Happy cruising and hope to meet you sometime.


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[scross]

Vicki and I completed a 24 day cruise from Bellingham to Desolation Sound this summer in our 2009 RT25 Classic. This trip included 9 days within Desolation Sound.
The 75 gallon diesel fuel tank was more than adequate for this trip and even is adequate for a much longer trip. But the fresh water and black water holding capacities were a major concern for us. The RT25 Classic and RT 25SC both hold 30 gallons of fresh water and have a 30 gallon holding tank. Fresh water proved not to be a problem as we found water at the dock at Gorge and Refuge Cove. There are probably other places to get good fresh water in Desolation Sound but having those two locations was enough for our trip.
When we exited Desolation Sound on the 9th day, we headed directly for Lund Harbour and the pump out station there. We were at about 85% capacity on the black water tank despite employing strategies to minimize the liquid content of the black water tank during the days in Desolation Sound. Putting in a composting head would eliminate this black water tank capacity concern. So would using the Y valve to discharge overboard but that is illegal in most of the BC cruising areas.
For us the limiting factor in longer cruises to remote areas has proven to be the capacity of our black water tank. At 30 gallons we get 9 days before a pump out is mandatory. The new RT25 O/B has a black water tank holding capacity of 14 gallons. The RT23 O/B black water tank holds 11 gallons. Just something to consider when planning longer trips!

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I have just under 1,200 hours on Mystery Girl my R-23. ....Erie and Champlain Canals...Apostle Islands....Yellowstone Lake....Most of these hours are at displacement speeds.
For me the R-23 has turned out to be a great boat for the kind of cruising I do. Easy to trailer and no problem to single hand. I am really happy I chose this boat.

Impressive and inspiring use of your boat! We loved our cruise of the western Erie Canal in our R27 and look forward to cruising the rest. Yellowstone Lake is another destination on my list. I’ve made several backcountry backpacking trips in Yellowstone National Park.