upgrade from RT25 to RT29

H

H28

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
182
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 S
Vessel Name
Hygge
I'd be interested in discussing the merits of upgrading from a RT25 to a RT29 from anyone that has actually done it.

-Relative increase in stability, seakindliness, seaworthiness..
-Increase in living space, cockpit, day-guest accommdation
-decrease in towing convenience....
-other considerations....
-$ value for all of the above....

feel free to contact offline dkanzler@aol.com or reply for everyone to see. either way. thanks.

thanks,
Dave

PS: I'll be attending the Palm Harbor rendezvous as guests of Ron and Libby if anyone wants to discuss over rum!
 
What kind of rum are we talking about here?
 
We upgraded from an R-25 (classic) to and R-29 (classic) and then on to an R-31S. In the order of your questions:

- While the extra 4 feet in length results in slightly less pitch, the 2 feet extra in beam makes a big difference in roll. It practically eliminates listing side to side as you move about the boat. The boat sits better and is easier to handle in close quarter. And it rides better, by comparison, in incrementally sloppy seas. While we have not enjoyed 4-6' waves we've felt safe and sound.

- The additional length and beam result in approximately 2X the internal volume. That means it's easier for a crew of two to move about. More storage. A real bed. Bigger head and opening up the starboard aft corner of the cabin. Much more storage in the cockpit lazarettes. Better engine access. The recent/current designs are even more efficient than the classic.

- Can't comment on trailering, but you'll find many discussions is you search on "trailering 29", for instance.

- The R-25 was our first boat. We spent three years learning how to boat, and that we wanted to keep boating. We decided to upgrade to the R-29 because a) we wanted a bigger galley b) we wanted more room for day/happy hour/dinner guests c) I was tired of trying to figure out whether I should leave the V-berth head first or butt first (never did figure it out).

We were a bit anxious about being able to handle the boat, but it turned out to be easier. In part because our skills increased, but largely because of the increased stability. Going up another 2' was and easy decision. The cabin is essentially the same, but the cockpit is significantly larger, and the engine is mounted entirely aft of the cabin.

Ping me if you have any other questions.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
John and Laurie Gray: too funny because you bought a R29 from someone who bought a Nordhavn 40, which is my dream boat. I'm going to look at one in March "just for grins" and maybe someday........

See you in Florida. thanks...
 
we recently upgraded from an R-25SC to an R-29CB. As a growing family of three (soon to be four in a week or two!) + one dog the extra space has already made a big difference. The biggest change for us is the beam going from 8'6" to 10', which greatly increased our ability to move around each other through the boat and it feels significantly more stable in the water in my opinion. You feel like you are sitting heavier in the water and cut through the chop to a greater degree. So far the most we have slept on the boat is 3 adults, 1 kid, and 1 dog, this was comfortable for us.

I can't speak to towing convenience as we keep our boat in the water year around on lake union in Seattle.

We cruised in our R25 around 12kts, in the 29 we're cruising in the neighborhood of 16kts, which is not a small difference over a period of time. We top out just over 20kts WOT with a half tank of fuel in fresh water.

For our purposes the 29 is great value if you can swing it and we're very happy we upgraded. That said I do miss paying less in moorage and the R25 sure fits into some tight spaces easily! Also I love the traditional look of the 25, 27, and 31, although you really can't beat the visibility and amount of natural light you get with the newer 29 and 23 design.
 
Dave- We went from an R27 to an R31CB, so not quite the upgrade advice you are looking for but close. I am really glad we did. The bigger boat is really nice. And we do trailer ours.
It trailers well with the right rig (1 ton diesel), though with the 10' beam you do need permits in most cases. We did not trailer our 27, so I have not comparison.
The boat is just bigger, heavier and longer so the things that moved it before cause it to move a little less. And, as stated above, you have more room to store stuff, move around, and way more room in the head. We looked at the 29, but for us, we liked the classic design so went with a 31. You will be happy with a 29, as it is a very nice design. We have some friends that went from a 25 to a 29 and love it and they have been in rough water with it without complaint.

If you are ever considering taking a look at a R31, let us know and I will give you a list of the things I was excited to find out about ours.
Good luck!

jeff and ela
 
We up graded from an R-25SC to a R-29S. Agree with all comments above. The difference in ride, stability, and interior room (not to mention a real bed and usable shower) is amazing. Two seasons ago we did Desolation Sound for a little over three weeks in the R-25SC and she preformed perfectly, however near the end of the third week we heard that famous line from JAWS. "WE NEED A BIGGER BOAT!" This past season we did Desolation again along with the Octopus Islands, Hole in the Wall, Toba and back to Desolation in total comfort in the R-29S. Amazingly there is little difference in fuel economy. The R-25SC is a great boat and she provided us with many great memories, however the R-29S is light years ahead.
 
Jeff and Ela, please post those things you found on the 31 that were exciting. I finally got to get on a 25, 29, and a 31 at the SanDiego boat show. i still haven't heard one fired up and haven't seen it move, but it was still exciting to get that close. I'm thinking it may have to be a 31 in our future. Thanks to all for this forum.
 
I want to echo Lola B. We moved up from an R-27 to an R-29CB this past summer. Now, while the move up did not make me taller, or better looking, or younger (and most certainly not richer), it did increase the number of days my wife spends with me on the boat. The move from "oh sorry I kicked you in the head" v-berth to a queen bed, and from a really tight head in the back of the boat where all functions seem to merge into one space, to a nice head and shower in the stateroom, was a major advance. And for us, adding the command bridge was a huge bonus. On the two to three warm days in San Francisco that occurs every year, it is a delight (during the drought this doubled to almost a week!). But for whale watching in the San Juans to slow cruising in the warmth of Desolation Sound, to poking around on a summer afternoon in the Delta near Sacramento, this was a major jump up for us.

Since neither of us have ever been seasick and actually, in a perverse way, enjoy a rough ride (former sailors), the added beam did not make a big difference.

But I will readily admit what I miss the most is the loss of the freedom and spontaneity of trailering the R-27. We enjoyed boaterhoming with the truck, exploring new places, the ease of maintenance on the boat, and the astonished looks of people wherever we went, especially in RV parks. Now, I just email a fellow with a big truck who takes the R-29CB away from me and delivers it to its next adventure. I really do miss the thrill of hauling and launching the boat and the satisfaction of trailering it around.

And the R-27 is a whole lot cheaper to buy than the R-29CB. Maintenance is about the same.

Nice to have choices. Good luck in your search. You cannot go wrong with a Ranger Tug.

Jeff
 
Pulled the trigger and traded in my 2014 RT25 for a new RT29S


Thanks for everyones help. I hope to see some of you in Florida next week, and more of you in Roche Harbor in September!

Dave
"Rumpus"
 
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