2016 R21 length on trailer?

[GoVols]

I'm considering an R21, but need to know if it'll fit in my garage. Dealer won't get back to me until sometime next week with an answer, so I'm hoping someone on here can answer this for me. Dealer was telling me that I could remove the swim platform, but that sounds like a PITA, especially after a long day at the lake each time I trailer it home. My garage is 23' and 1". How can I make this thing fit?

[BurnMac42]

It will fit.....my garage is 23' 8" and I have plenty of space to walk in front of the nose....

The swim platform after the first time you remove it will take you 3-5 minutes....the hardest part is getting the pins out of the actuators for the taps3 that are on the platform.....it is a 2 person lift though...that platform is HEAVY....

It will also fit under a 7 ft garage door with the 14" rims on the trailer (Boatmate)

[NAstleford]

We had the dealer bring up the boat to make sure it fit before ordering it.

[GoVols]

So, 2 different dealers have leftover 2016 models; 1 is an R20, the other an R21. The R20 has the 360 motor and the R21 has the 400. Price is about the same. I really don't want to remove the swim platform on the R21 every weekend. Which boat would you guys suggest?
This is my first wake boat, but 3rd bow rider - I'm not new to boats, but no experience with inboards and V drives. My other 2 boats have been I/Os.

[UNSTUCK]

Get the biggest boat that will fit in your garage. That last thing you want is to feel cramped.

[NHarp1]

My 2016 Z1 (same hull as R21) measures from front of boat Bow and folded trailer swing tongue to the edge of attached swim deck measures 284" or 23 ft 6 inches.

Another thing to consider is your garage door header clearance. I am not sure if the new electric tower folds lower than the Alpha Z tower folded.

[boardman74]

I know there are a lot of people on here that like them, but I am personally not a fan of the Z1/R21 hull. If you don't need the space I would do the R20. If you need the space the Z1/R21 is night and day bigger.

Also as an FYI there should be considerable price difference between the 2. With the motor difference you listed I'd say the difference should be in the $6-8 grand range. Either you were offered a steal on the R21 or some one is still trying to sell their 2016 R20 hold over for MSRP. Also something I have learned buying holdovers, don't pay more for them than any other used 2016. Because once you drive it off the lot you have a used 2016, no one cares it was a hold over when you go to sell it.

[BurnMac42]

My 2016 Z1 (same hull as R21) measures from front of boat Bow and folded trailer swing tongue to the edge of attached swim deck measures 284" or 23 ft 6 inches.

Another thing to consider is your garage door header clearance. I am not sure if the new electric tower folds lower than the Alpha Z tower folded.

Man I am going to have to go and measure my garage again...during the summer if I don't have to take the swim platform off that would be MONEY lol...It will be close though..

The 2016 R21 won't have the new electric tower though.....it wasn't an option to order on my 2017 either but then again it wasn't officially released yet so maybe if someone were to ask for it now they could probalby get it....

OP like most others have recommended, if you can fit the bigger boat, even with a bit of a headache if you have to remove the swim platform, the size/space difference (and freeboard) of the R21 vs the R20 is night and day....

Plus that Raptor 400 is an awesome motor!

[GoVols]

To be clear, the 1st dealer I spoke to quoted me a new 2017 R20 as well as a leftover 2016 R21 from his lot.

Found another dealer with some leftover 2016 R20s though. He's going to send pictures of each of them to me today along options lists for each. He told me 2 of the 3 are loaded up. Pricing he gave me over the phone is much lower than the new R20 the other dealer quoted me over the weekend, so I'm optimistic now. They said they'll take us for a test ride at any time, even though it's winter! Now that's service!

The dealer at the boat show told me the Raptor 400 is overkill in the R20 and that the 360 engine is perfectly suited for it. I'm always a big fan of having too much power! Anyone care to comment on this?

[boardman74]

I had an RZR(same boat) with the PCM 303, then one with the 335 Indmar and final demoed with the 400 Raptor. Never had a problem with any of the motors. Even the 303 pulled everything we wanted it to and never had an issue even fully loaded. The 360 is more than enough in an R20, IMO.

Define overkill????? LOL. It will serve you fine with the 360, but the 400 will make it rip and is noticeable. But isn't it like a $5000 jump, I know for the 400 to the 440 is. Sad thing is the only change from the 400 to the 440 is the ECM. My guess is its the same story for the 360. Strictly tuning in the ECM.

[Brianrzr]

The 360 and 400 are torque numbers not horsepower. I have just read that the horsepower for the 360 is actually 308, and the Raptor 400 is 350 hp. I just bought my first inboard and haven't had it in the water yet, so I don't have a point of reference, but that is a big power difference for the same money. I would take them up on their offer for a test ride.

[boardman74]

Correct, the Ford Raptor numbers are and always have been torque numbers.

I'm having a bit of a hard time believing that even the base Raptor 6.2 puts out only 308 hp. Basing this on the fact the PCM 303 was a 5.0 liter that produced 303 published hp. The 5.7's the Raptor replaced in base modes were between 330-350 hp. Curious where you read that??

At the end of the day torque is what moves objects so the hp is less important. Hence the reason the Ford people claim they used the torque numbers. Personally I think they used them because its a higher number than what we were used to seeing and it gave the illusion that these 6.2's were much more powerful. If the 400 only produces 350 hp it has the same hp as the 5.7 it replaced and at a huge price increase and taking up more room in the engine bay.

[JCP]

308HP is correct according to the Tige website. Click on the engine under R20. I had a 350 Black Scorpion in my last boat (335HP if my memory is correct) My Z3 has the Raptor 400 and there is no comparison between the two engines when comparing low end power. Raptor is much stonger and burns way less gas. I am a Chevy fan and did not want a Ford but I am sold. Now if it is only as durable as a 350, time will tell.

[Brianrzr]

The Tige website is where I read it. I just came from the Chicago Boat Show and picked up Indmar's "Inboard Marine Engine Buyers Guide". It says Raptor 400 350 hp,404 torque, Raptor 440 398 hp, 427 torque, Raptor 575 510hp, 580 torque. They also compare the other engines, its very eye opening. I was surprised last year when Tige offered the same engine in the R20. Most manufacturers want a reason to up sell to a more expensive model.

[BurnMac42]

But isn't it like a $5000 jump, I know for the 400 to the 440 is. Sad thing is the only change from the 400 to the 440 is the ECM. My guess is its the same story for the 360. Strictly tuning in the ECM.

If I remember correctly it's only a $2k MSRP jump...