R25 usage costs

[TimOb]

Howdy All,
I am once again in the active mode of looking around for a boat. My last boat was a 16' c-dory cruiser that my wife and I used for a few years before a kid and other life stuff took over. We are finally getting things in order to start boating again.

So, I'm of the mind to get another C-dory. This time a 22' that we can moor when we want, dry dock in my garage when we want, use and not use as we see fit. Problem is, my wife thinks it's too small and really would like something like a 26 nordic tug or 25 ranger. We chartered a nordic tug 26 a few years ago - it's size and capability made for a very memorable week in the San Juans.

So, i'm kicking things around just to see how it would work out. My gut instinct says it would be about $1k/mon or so to wet moor, maintain and use an r25 (not including the initial costs). I would moor it somewhere in puget sound and would probably put 200-300 or so hours/yr on it for the first few years of ownership.

What do you current owners think? Am I close?

Thanks,
Tim

[lloyds]

I think you are high. I think you could moor and maintain for about half that. I spent probably about $600/mo for moorage and maintenance, and that was including a live-aboard fee at a very expensive moorage.

[Trinity]

Hi Tim-
Several of us have slips at the Port of Edmonds. Nice location and facility. There are several different options and costs, so would recommend you give them a call. 425-775-4458.

We also have the port pull our boat out twice a year to power wash and wax the hull and to change the zincs. (this was with our last boat, still waiting delivery on our R-25.) Each pull -out with the travel lift is $90 for a boat that size.

I know most of the C-brats like to trailer their boats, but for us having the boat in the water all the time is great. We can take off at a moments notice, or just head down for a drink and watch the sunset.

[Sarge]

Tim,

I happen to be Kerry and Nancy's (Trinity) slip-mate in Edmonds. We're in 30' slips that are 29' wide. They are on the large size for boats of our size (I have a CD25) and we pay a little extra for it.

In another thread, I worked out my gas costs at ~$350/month traveling about 65 miles/week and putting ~ 10 hours a week on the motor. Since the tug is diesel, but slower, it may be around the same for the same amount of use.

Having it hauled out of the water 2x a year + moorage + diesel, I'd say you're looking at $750/month.

[TimOb]

Trinity/Sarge,
Thanks for the info. Ok, so my estimate seems a little high. I still like it because it give me the cushion of dealing with unplanned things and maybe a little bit for accessories and such that I might not have budgeted for.

Do you know what the current wait is for an R25? I've asked Jeff a couple times, but never got an answer. We're wanting to do it next year sometime.

Regarding the slip, how long is the wait list in Edmonds?

Thanks,
Tim

[Sarge]

Tim,

I couldn't even guess about slip availability. It can go from a week to several years. Best to contact the Port of Edmonds to find out. As in all things, there is a fee associated with being on the waiting list ($25), but if you look at it as insurance, it is a small price to pay.

I believe there are at least 7 CD or CR owners who call the Port of Edmonds home. I think it is a good marina.

[Trinity]

Tim,
Susan in the Port of Edmonds office is a great resource for slip availability. I believe the smaller slips have a shorter waiting list. We pay more for the larger slip because we like to have more space between boats.

The wait list for the R-25 varies I think. My understanding is each dealership gets a certain alotment. I could be wrong, but the waiting time has been 5-6 months. That is through Lake Union Sea Ray in Fife, our local dealership. If you go outside the area, you may find varying wait times. Rodney at LUSR is the sales manager and manages the orders. He may be the one to call. You can also find a list of dealerships on the Ranger Tug web site.

The Seattle Boat Show usually offers good deals. We also met Jeff at the show. Last Jan. if you ordered at the Boat Show they were talking May/June delivery times. We, unfortunately, waited to order ours are are looking at August.

[PenguinPA]

Tim,

I ordered with Jeff and John @ trawlerfest in June and they were projecting a late October production....I was hoping for summer, but this gives me sometime to prepare.

I heard from Jim Cress at the same show that he had just ordered 3 R-25's for Skippercress I believe he was planning to take delivery in july or august...May want to call them up in Anacortes and see what is going on.

As Ranger Jeff has said, they are the newest Dealer for the tugs and so far, I have been more than happy with the way everyone at SC has been. They made the process so easy that even my wife was happy!

Good luck in your hunt! See you on the water....oh some stats I'm seeing in the tacoma area:
Wet moorage: $260/mo covered
Insurance: 70/mo
Diesel: ???? (I hope a lot!)

Just my 2cents

Drew

[thataway]

I agree that the $1000 a month for maintance and moorage, etc for a new boat is high. Of course you control the amount of money used on fuel. The CD 25 will be a bit faster, and less expensive to buy, so those issues have to be considered.

I believe that there are dealers in other parts of the country which have boats in stock--and it might "pay" to have a boat shipped back to the West coast, if having a boat now, is a priority......

There is another option--and that is a storage facility, where the boat is rack or trailer kept, and lanuched when you want it. There are some down sides---and these include some lack of dock side comradary.

The 25 foot boats have more "room", plus the enclosed head, but are a bit more weight if you want to trailer, and the cost of a truck--if necessary have to be factored in. The beauty of the 22 is the light weight and easy towability.

Good luck

[TimOb]

First of all, thanks for all the valuable input from everyone. This is very important stuff to know before going into something like this.

Let's see annualized:

moorage - 3000 (250x12)
insurance - 850
1 haul outs - 200
fuel cost 1600 (maybe about 100 hours on the engine)
---------------------
total 5650/yr
or 470/mon

What about other maint costs? oil changes, bottom cleaning etc. Even if they averaged 100/mon, I'm still under 600. Can this be?

Anyway, we're both kind of going back and forth on whether to go with the big 25' now, or something smaller and we're not in any kind of rush to make a decision soon - just hope to be back on the water next year.

[PenguinPA]

I'm not sure (yet) what the costs of the R-25 will be, but I figure my maintenance fees will go down by 1/2. Currently I own a 40' Ponderosa with twin yanmars. Depending on where you moor...you may have to change zincs every 5-7 months. last bill for this in Tacoma was around $320... so being on the high side figure that for a year...Depending on the number of zincs needed. That still leaves a lot of "maintenance money" for diesel and beer!

Speaking of which, how many zincs does the tug have???? I have only seen one on the shaft. Figure there have to be some on the transom and such. Can anyone share?

[Old Dog]

Relative to zincs. I didn't think there were enough and had the dealer add some. Three as I recall with two of them added to the trim tabs which was a simple install. We are trailering so it's not as critical but there did not seem to be enough.

I'm sure someone with more experience will provide a better answer.

[TimOb]

Hey Penguin,
Thanks for that tidbit. Adding the zincs brings the totals to about
6150/annual or ~515/mon.

[PenguinPA]

No worries Tim! Everyone has been helpful on this site and it has been a pleasure to read and share information. I hope your search goes well.

I appreciate the heads up on the zinc issue! I was wondering if what I saw was enough protection or if it was added after. Appreciate the help

Drew

[TimOb]

Just an fyi - the factory is putting 3 zincs on new boats - one on the prop and each trim tab.

Tim