Dennis,
We have owned many, many boats and even though we just purchased a 2007 R-25 Tug, our favorite so far has to be the R-21 (2004) that we owned just prior to the new tug.
I will first say that the comments that I will make about the R-21 and its capabilities would only be surpased by the R-21EC for that type of boat.
We spend many long weekends (4- 5 nights) aboard our little "Tuglet" and we found that as long as we anchored or tied up where we could catch the breeze from the forward hatch, we could sleep well. A couple of times in mid summer in South Florida we were restless because it was hot and the breeze went away! The EC boat has more overhead hatches which I thought about installing on my base boat but never got around to it.
We would motor at most times at 1800 rpm on the Yanmar 30 hp engine and would cut along at 5 to 7 knots. On the R-21 at this speed we were burning about 2 pints per hour! The R-21EC will have better economy and should have more "sweet spots" due to slight hull changes. I have run the boat at 3000 rpm for some periods of time but really, whats the hurry! The boat will jump up and get itself and you out of harms way but we like the slower putting along.
I think that THE most amazing thing about the little tug is its ease of handling. My slip is positioned where I would often have strong winds usually hitting the port side upon docking and strong tidal currents could be from either direction. The rudder action on these little boats is nothing short of amazing! Once you get accustomed to the way she handles and learn to anticipate the effects, you quickly realize that there is no reason to ever think about installing a thruster. From a dead stop, by using full rudder and strong burst of throttle, I could turn her in one and a half of her length! That is without hitting reverse once!
I have taken Tuglet up and down the Intracoastal from Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale with no problems. I have taken her out through three of the inlets, one of which most people hate. Down here you have to keep your eyes out for idiots that seem to thrive on big sport fish type of tanks that do not know what a "no wake" zone is. The boat has no problem with these or any other wave as long as you steer into them.
Resale on these boats beat the percentage of loss / gain compared to any other boat that we have sold. In honest fact we did not loose a penny from 2004 to sale in November 2006! Well except that I had to purchase another trailer as someone borrowed mine without asking or returning it.
We are now getting used to the R-25 (Tuggin Aweigh) and just hope that we love this one as much as the 21! If you go ahead in getting one, you will not regret the decision and Jeff Messmer and John Livingston are two of the best in the business. You will find them direct, honest and reliable.
If you have other specefic questons feel free to email me directly or phone.
Best wishes with a great boat.
Bob