BOAT OPTIONS....OPINIONS

[2thdoc01]

Hey guys,

Finalizing the R20 order and was wondering about a few options. Thoughts?

1. Cooler vs center cushion

Space is tight in r20, so not sure if skipping built in cooler is wise, vs carry on cooler that stows under the bow filler cushion.

2. Docking lights vs adding a rigid light bar?? I don't often boat at night

3. Remote chair swivel slide release

4. Tandem or single axle trailer. Longest tow in 2.5 hours once a year.

5. 110v battery charger...is this the onboard charger that i can plug in to the battery tender?

6. Sea deck swim platform upgrade...worth the $$

[Dandy]

My thoughts and opinions below


1. Cooler vs center cushion
- Built in coolers have a + and -. I like to have the cooler built in as it is a good use of space, however it is more difficult to fill/empty as it is built in. A portable cooler can be loaded up and then brought onto the boat. I think this is why boats like the ASR are using a carryon cooler, but creating a dedicated spot for it. Personally, I would recommend the built in.

2. Docking lights vs adding a rigid light bar?? I don't often boat at night
I have no opinion to offer as we get off the water before lights have been needed.

3. Remote chair swivel slide release
YES!

4. Tandem or single axle trailer. Longest tow in 2.5 hours once a year.
With an R20, this is a cost vs. benefit. A lot of R20s are on single axel trailers. See if the dealer has one that you can test tow and see how much movement there is. A dual axel will always be a smoother pull than a single.

5. 110v battery charger...is this the onboard charger that i can plug in to the battery tender?
YES!! I feel an on board charger is a MUST HAVE.

6. Sea deck swim platform upgrade...worth the $$
YES!

Enjoy ordering up the new boat.

[Bobert]

My thoughts and opinions below


1. Cooler vs center cushion
- Built in coolers have a + and -. I like to have the cooler built in as it is a good use of space, however it is more difficult to fill/empty as it is built in. A portable cooler can be loaded up and then brought onto the boat. I think this is why boats like the ASR are using a carryon cooler, but creating a dedicated spot for it. Personally, I would recommend the built in.

2. Docking lights vs adding a rigid light bar?? I don't often boat at night
I have no opinion to offer as we get off the water before lights have been needed.

3. Remote chair swivel slide release
YES!

4. Tandem or single axle trailer. Longest tow in 2.5 hours once a year.
With an R20, this is a cost vs. benefit. A lot of R20s are on single axel trailers. See if the dealer has one that you can test tow and see how much movement there is. A dual axel will always be a smoother pull than a single.

5. 110v battery charger...is this the onboard charger that i can plug in to the battery tender?
YES!! I feel an on board charger is a MUST HAVE.

6. Sea deck swim platform upgrade...worth the $$
YES!

Enjoy ordering up the new boat.

I have the boat mate single axel trailer and I hauled my 2015 R20 home from Bristol, NH to Cincinnati, OH.. 14hrs roughly and had no issues with it. Maneuvering the single axle is different from a tandem though, when reversing they snap angle a bit faster, which can be frustrating if you're accustomed to the tandem... tandem will add value to resale value though you pay more for it now too. I don't have docking lights though it would be a nice feature, it is the necessary. Most docks around here are lit well enough and the red hazed light from my tail lights on my F250 we're more than enough to load the boat on sunday when We ended up out past dark. As far as the cooler goes, yeah a built in is nice, but there is plenty of storage in the ski compartment for a tag along cooler or toss it under the filler cushion. I prefer I walk through bow though. Battery tender yes absolutley, I'm sure the option. Isn't anything absurd, and as for the chair I have the swivel/lock/sliding chair and love it. I'm tall but have some tall AND short friends, so it's a great feature. The seadek pad I'm sure is cool, mine has the standard tigé pad in gray with black lettering and it's nice, I'm sure the seadek one is sharp though. if you wanna see any photos of my boat pm me your email and I will send pics of whatever you like over to you.

[PaceWithGrace]

Hi Tooth,

I don't have the built-in charger but I wish I did. For a few hundred dollars it's a really convenient way to keep one or both batteries topped up.

I specifically looked for a tandem trailer when I bought our R20. Based on experience, I think the limit for a single axle should be 3000 lbs. More than that and you're asking a lot of each tire and the ride becomes harsh for the boat. Tandem also backs up like a dream compared with single axle. I have to tow everywhere, usually less than 5 miles each way, but I have peace of mind that my tandem trailer is riding as nice as possible for my boat. IMHO, a single axle is (mostly) for folks who use it once in the spring and once in the fall.

Cheers,
Severin

[PaceWithGrace]

PS I used to tow a 4000 lb trailer on a single axle and the tires would get almost too hot to hold. Two heavier trailers on tandem axles run warm only.

[JLG]

My

Built in cooler yes- I used to not like them but after owning my Z3 I love the location and holding power it has. Wish it held ice longer but love it

Tandem axle all the way! I know the 20ft doesn't seem heavy but believe me they destroy tires and bearings faster on a single axle due to the bouncing while towing. I hated my single axle under my 20i and the current owner says the same about the trailer in wishing it were a tandem. We only tow 40 mile to our lake if that helps

Charger yes if you have and plan on adding stereo equipment, or can add later on

Sea deck yes as your feet will thank you each and every time you use it!

Didn't order docking lights with mine as the tower lights and others are plenty bright plus I rarely use boat after dark.

[Ewok]

If you rarely boat after dark then the docking lights would be a waste. I've only loaded my boat on the trailer twice after dark and I was impressed at how easy it was to see the trailer lights under water and how bright the lights built into the Alpha Z are and how they helped get her home. I know the R20 doesn't have the Alpha Z tower, are there lights built into it? If not you probably won't need them, a good bright flashlight such as a SureFire would probably be brighter and better anyhow.

[supremedevice]

1. I’d go for the cooler. 90% of the time you’ll have items to be cooled, right?

2. I’d say skip the docking lights if you rarely go out at night. like Ewok said just get a bright light and store it in the boat, much more versatile.

3. Yes

4. Tandem if you can swing it, but it’s a cost thing. I have a single axel and one advantage is fitting it in and out of tight spaces. My garage is 90 degrees to my driveway and it’s nice to back it in the corner and manually push the tongue against the wall to get the most space out of the garage. Also In my experience the boatmate single axel has been the smoothest single axel trailer I’ve towed. I’ve put around 2000 miles on it (way more than I planned) and so far have never felt any sway or discomfort.

5. the charger seems nice, but not 100% essential IMO

6. not familiar, i thought all platforms are Seadecked?

[robert theisen]

1. Cooler built in your preference. I prefer a soft side carry on for my use.
2.Docking lights I feel they are more effective in a traditional bow. They hit the water too close on a pickle fork to aid your night vision.
3. Remote swivel seat yes
4.tandem or single axle . I've had both. I prefer the tandem for the ease of backing and better ride on the road.
5.110v charger,they can be had for less than 100 dollars and are easy to mount.
6.seadeck yes

[sandm]

3- absolutely.
4-having had a supra on a single and a tige on a tandem and towing the 2, tandem every time. If I ever went back to a 20ft boat, it would be on a tandem. harder(actually impossible) to move without being hooked up, but worth the added security of the second axle and 2 more tires.
5-absolutely, for me. we run a big stereo and want to be able to charge the batteries when I get home. on a lift or not putting in a big sound system, not sure I would spend the $$. Supra never had it and didn't really need it.

[2thdoc01]

Thanks Guys....

This might be a moot point as Im getting the run around at the Buds right now...might be buying a Nautique if they cant figure this out!

[sandm]

good luck there. they have not impressed me much the few dealings I have had. nice, but I get a sense when it comes time to signing the deal, it would be a hassle.