Wanted - Used R29 $150K range

Tugbuyer

Active member
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
37
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2904E011
Vessel Name
Sea Weed
MMSI Number
367593530
I am a CASH BUYER, actively in the market for a used R29 in the $150K price range. Any leads out there? Thanks.
If desired, respond privately to: dkatona1@gmail.com
 
Tugbuyer":n6diccbs said:
I am a CASH BUYER, actively in the market for a used R29 in the $150K price range. Any leads out there? Thanks.
If desired, respond privately to: dkatona1@gmail.com

Good Luck!!
 
Ditto! That's a pretty low price, especially for a model that was introduced in 2009, I believe....
 
Mmmmm yup.
Especially when he 'likely' intends to roll it over at a profit.
And if you might notice - 1st Posting.

sniff, sniff, is that spam I smell.
 
No spam, it's for real. I suspected this post would be met with a fair degree of skepticism, and while I do not believe I can neutralize it, I offer the following rationale:
I am looking to fill a 30' (max 33' LOA) salt water slip in southern California, and have been considering late model express cruisers, primarily because they are more affordable and available. After months of searching and research, I realized recently that, after purchase, I will likely move up in short order (isn't that what usually happens?) to a tug/trawler, which is what we (my wife & I) really wanted all along. So, I'm simply trying to eliminate/skip the step where I need to unload a boat that we really didn't want in order to purchase the "move up" vessel that we really do.

As to price point:
I realize the $150K price point will be difficult (perhaps impossible) for an R29 (this price point is probably more appropriate for R25/27), but the R29 is my long term target vessel and $150K is my budget (although considerably more than it was for an express cruiser). Consistent with my thinking from earlier, if possible, I would like to avoid the expense and hassle of what I believe is the near certainty of wanting to "move up" from a 25/27 to a 29 in a few years.

As to "flipping":
I plan to register the boat in CA (and pay all respective - and excessive - sales/other taxes) and have no appetite or desire to flip it as suggested, even it was possible. From my research (including posts from this forum) I believe the R29 is a boat worth owning and keeping, and plan to do both.

As to my first post:
I just became aware of this forum, and you have to start with a first post, right?
 
I suspect to will need to raise your price point by $50K in order to get what you want. That is quite likely more cost effective than spending $150K and then trading up.
 
I am with the Ranger Tug dealership for SOCAL, Long Beach Yacht Sales, and can help you with your quest. While I don't currently see (or expect to see :shock: ) one for that price... There are defiantly options under 200k… Let me know if I can help.

Uryah Messmer
425.239.2121
 
There are two 29s available under $200K at the present time ($185K, and $189K). Both are clean low hour boats. If you were willing to up your price $25K or so you could probably have either one of these boats. If you are willing to be without a boat for another year or so, you may find your price point. Good Luck and welcome to the TugNuts. You will find here many helpful and knowledgeable owners.

Again welcome!
 
If you find an R29 for $150,000, get the best dang surveyor you can find to do the survey on the boat. A really good surveyor. They are not all created equal. Not even close.

For an R29 you find at that price (assuming any), you will probably discover that you need to put in $25,000 or do to get it up to snuff.

I'd rather pay more and start with a clean boat. Or wait until the boat i want is within my means. Just my 2 cents' worth.
 
Or maybe dial the dream back a few feet and find a clean used R25 or R27, what great boats they are. Our boating dream started out looking at a Kadey-Krogen 39. Then we realized we are just normal working people and took a look at the cost of a boat that size, and decided we wanted to use it too. Then it happened, the Ranger Tug hat showed up in the mail, (after signing up on Tugnuts) it was over then. We fell for a new dark red R27 at our local dealer and could not be happier. Good luck with your search.

Tim
Gratitude R 27
 
Good advice Tim (and others). I was slowly approaching that same conclusion after reading some of the other posts. Do you think my budget will support an adequately-equipped used R27? Also, did you consider any other brands (Nordic, Sundowner, Camano, etc.)? Sounds like you purchased new - are you satisfied with Ranger quality and support?
 
Yes $150k will get you into a newly used R-27, including a trailer, with money left over if you are lucky. Watch this website closely. They are fantastic boats and people rarely sell them. You also have to be willing to travel to get one. Think $2/mile shipping unless you go get it yourself.

Remember, boats depreciate in value by a bit more than 20% their first year and 5-10% the second year.

To mangle a Chinese proverb: wait by the river long enough and the boat of your dreams will float by. (the original proverb is "wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by." This is much nicer).

Still, I have to say, nothing...no perfume, no wine, no high mountain meadow...beats the smell of a new boat.

I used to mess around in your part of the world a lot. Enjoy the Channel Islands and the occasional rough crossing. The tug is built for it.

Jeff
 
Hi Tugbuyer, here's my two cents worth. Yes we looked at the Nordic Tug 26 and 32, North Pacific 28, and the American Tug 34. The American Tug almost made the cut, but and this was a big but for us, we wanted a trailerable boat. I do my own maintenance and the Ranger Tug is easy for me to load on the trailer and bring home. We also needed to consider hurricane season and getting the boat out of the water quickly if a storm was coming our way. Another big factor was a dealer network and how well they backed the product. Ranger Tug has a great dealer network. If you talk to any Tug owner, he (or she) will tell you first about their boat and secondly how great their dealer is. These boats are a complex machine, so there will be some issues to work through and a good dealer is very important. Our boat was a dealer demo boat, so that helped us with the price. Boats are a compromise, find the one that fits your needs best, and get out on the water. I think you should be able to find a clean well equipped used 27 in the 150-160 range. Buy the nicest cleanest boat you can. If you buy a dog, you won't feel safe or get the enjoyment these boat are designed to provide. Good luck with your search.

Tim
Gratitude R 27
 
OK, I am willing to admit when I am wrong. You are the real deal. :mrgreen:

As others have said the R27 is the hot ticket right now.
Let me continue to be the contrarian here (consistent at least) and suggest that a recently spurned R25 - callously abandoned for a trophy wife, err R27 - is the most bang for the buck and will sell easily a couple of years from now.
Now this is the Classic R25 not the short cabin. ( No, mine is not for sale)
And I do not see starting smaller and later moving up as wasted time or effort. It is actually a smart way to go about it.
 
Denny-O makes a very good point. The classic 25 has just about the same cabin room as the R-27. Granted you give up cockpit space for the cabin, but if you hang out with R-27's or 29's you visit with them in their cockpit and leave to sleep in your boat. :lol:
 
We've really enjoyed our R-27; had it a year now and just returned from trailering from GA to WA and back for the Desolation Sound trip.

More than the equipment and price, the Ranger Tugs are the people; Jeff, Andrew and Kenny at the factory to name a few, and all the Tug Owners, Admirals and Crew that we've met personally and who post on this forum.

You're on the right track, and good luck with making that final leap!
 
If you could find a 29 with no air or Generator and no auto pilot You might get close to your number.. I am lucky to have the 29 but after two years and seeing them and reading all the posts I would think a loaded 27 is the way to go. More so if you want to trailer.. You lose a bit of space but save lots and way easier to transport.. My 2 cents 🙂
Good luck with your quest Be patient you will find a good fit
Mark
 
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