Which Tug?

[The Bolton Wanderer]

Thanks for all the help, how much long distance towing have you done with the R29?

Hi, Clive. I went through a similar analysis to yours a year ago, arriving at the conclusion that the R-29 Classic is the best value to be had in a trailerable trawler when comparing all possible features, trade-offs and price. At the time I was thinking that I'd be trailering the boat to distant waters (Prince Rupert, for example), so I also acquired the most robust trailer I could find (36,000 lb capacity axles, 12" aluminum I-beam frame, stainless steel brake system) and the beefiest truck I could think of (F-450 diesel 4x4). But, in the year that followed I found that I much preferred motoring along on the water to driving in traffic with my freight train, so I haven't trailered our R-29 more than 50 miles. Of course I do live at the edge of the Salish Sea on Whidbey Island with excellent cruising waters already at my doorstep, so perhaps my perspective isn't particularly useful for you.

One other comment that I would add is that this seems to be a record year for boat sales here in the Pacific Northwest, and so you may face considerable competition for the good used boats. I put our boat up for sale just a few weeks ago http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=16660 and I've already turned down several low offers and have two offers on the table this morning to consider. So don't expect the well-maintained and equipped Ranger Tugs to sit around waiting for long.

Happy hunting!

Cheers vertigo. I totally agree with your analysis here. The old style R29 is by far the best bang for the buck and is essentially an R31 with a shorter cockpit. But there in lies the rub. That Cockpit looks awful short to spend any chill time in and with no other real exterior "Place" to be on the boat, that cockpit scares me. Those steps seem like a poor design.

 

[The Bolton Wanderer]

If we were going to trailer the boat, I would strongly consider the 29. And I remember when we took the tour of a brand new 29 sedan it felt very light and airy. But we strongly favored a command bridge and loved the classic looks of the 31. So in the end we opted for the 31CB and have never looked back.

Another vote for the helm door which is a huge plus for us. I use it all the time—for going quickly to the bow and back when anchoring, for stepping out onto the dock especially when single handing, for deploying and retrieving the fender which we keep in the well beside the door. And I frequently run with the door open which makes it feel like a much closer connection with the outdoors. More than once, through the open door, we have watched dolphins playing in the bow wake.

Regarding the fold-out cockpit seats, this is another feature we love and use frequently. We find them very easy to deploy once you get the technique down: lift straight up before pushing out. When folding them back, keep the seat back at a 90° angle till the seat is flush with the gunwale, then fold down while keeping an eye on the straps. They take me about 10 seconds apiece to fold out and maybe 20 to fold back in and lock. They make the cockpit much more roomy, especially with company. We do have the full enclosure for the cockpit and it was made with zippers immediately fore and aft of the seats. So it is a simple matter to roll the side panel up and fold out the seat.

And the command bridge we use not just for a second helm, but we love to go up when we are at scenic destinations and sit at the table for drinks or a meal. We have never been to a restaurant that matched some of the vistas we have seen from that table.

John

John, all the things you say resonate. As always, all these boats are a compromise somewhere. Personal pet peeves on the R31 CB (Don't be offended) would be the cloth wrap around, which feels sorta chinsey. (Can't spell it)
that aside. she's a big old lump. How do you find towing the boat? I think I've mentioned I have a commercial license and love a road trip towing, and do intend to travel with the boat. But have even consdiered a 27 or the C28 jut because of the narrower hull. But always and up back at the wide body when i think of practical live aboard.
We sea trialed a new style R27 and a C30 and on the water there is no question which boat we would buy (Money aside)
Didn't like the outboard not for the type of motor, but my God that R27 is long with the OB! With a tender back there you'd need a 35 ft slip!

 

[The Bolton Wanderer]

On driving a 2500 - it is a state of mind. I have driven nothing (99% of the time) but a 2500HD for the past decade. And before that a half ton the previous two decades. My wife has a car so if I need one for some reason I swipe hers. Friends from Key West used a 2500HD to haul their R29 and said it handled perfectly. For an R31 probably a 3500 is the better choice for handling on mountain roads (though not the better ride when empty)

An R29 with any fuel and water onboard, along with the weight of the trailer has got to be well over the placarded tow rating of a 2500, no? I've towed lots of heavy equipment over many years, and I'd never consider doing that. Some are braver than me.

I think we will probably end up with a RAM 3500 Mega cab single axle. Not a Ford fan, just had the interiors wear out, and GMC are about a decade behind on interior style, (For me). Like the RAM mega cab as we don't need an 8ft bed but like the long wheel base. BUT, not pulling the trigger until RAM bring out more gears in their tranny.
My every day drive is a RAM 1500 with the Hemi and a Fiat 8 speed transmission. Best truck I've ever owned.
Once RAM get the 8 speed Alsion or 9 speed ZF that are Rumored, with the 3500 and air ride suspension, it should be a formidable towing and everyday driving weapon. (Need to check the bank balance though or I might not have any pennies left for the boat! LOL.

 

[The Bolton Wanderer]

We didn't have the opportunity to check out every make/model (lookin forward to a rendezvous) and came across a good find of a 2013 R31CB. We use the command bridge most of the time (almost 100% if not raining), like the door at the helm, and although the fold-out cockpit seats might be a bit of a novelty and not usable with an enclosure make a big cockpit even bigger and give a great view more forward/aft of the boat for fishing, race committee, socializing. Good luck!

Fee soup, I hadn't considered the enclosure issue with those fold out seats on the R31 and the C30 but that makes sense! Sorta brings me back the the R29 CB or S but you also make a good point as have others, what is available and price will play a role unless we buy new (Won't happen or I can't get my new truck and keep the wife LOL)

 

[vertigo]

I totally agree with your analysis here. The old style R29 is by far the best bang for the buck and is essentially an R31 with a shorter cockpit. But there in lies the rub. That Cockpit looks awful short to spend any chill time in and with no other real exterior "Place" to be on the boat, that cockpit scares me. Those steps seem like a poor design.

I initially had the same worry, and really wanted the larger cockpit, but not the significantly-higher price. Over the past year we found the R29 cockpit to be more adequate than we first thought, and easily fit chairs for three. Our addition of an inflatable 10'x10' dock (and then a second one) to the swimstep completely solved our cockpit envy for a tiny fraction of the price difference between the R29 and R31.

Our boat and trailer are pending sale now (after only a few weeks on the market), and we're moving to a significantly larger boat, but I'm sure I'll miss the 29.

 

[CVX20]

An R29 with any fuel and water onboard, along with the weight of the trailer has got to be well over the placarded tow rating of a 2500, no?

2021 Rams 2500 can tow 20,000 pounds.

2021 Ram 3500 DRW can tow 37,000 pounds.

I prefer DRW trucks and have a '57 Mack B61, '97 F350 and a 2016 Ram 3500 in the barn.

There is nothing like towing with a DRW truck IMO. Nice and stable with no sidewall squirm.

With that being said, no way I'd tow 20k with a 2500 or 37k with a 3500. The weight gets north of 30k and I'm getting a Peterbilt.