New 2019 R3 Owner

[BobRae99]

Hi All,

After a couple of weeks of negotiation, I have finally concluded a purchase agreement on a new 2019 R3.

I equipped it as follows:

Volvo Penta V8/350 DP EVC
Navy blue hull with Sandstone Edge boot stripe
Terra Brown Interior
White Arch, Aluminum, Folding, with Navy Bimini
Bow and Cockpit Covers
Premium sound with transom speakers
Docking lights
Dual Battery

The initial reply from the factory is that the boat will deliver the last week of June. We don't start boating where I live until June 15th (typically) so if the boat stays on schedule, I'll have it in time for the Canada Day long weekend (July 1). I am trading my 2016 Cobalt 210, so if the boat is projected to arrive more than a week late, I'll put my 210 in the water until the R3 arrives.

I wanted to thank everyone here for the advice you've given. I know BB will be disappointed in the engine choice, but I really think, for my purposes, the VP350 is in the sweet spot of performance/cost.

I'm still thinking about the Makassar wood trim and the platinum sound, but I have until 3 weeks prior to the actual production date to make up my mind. I listened to the premium sound in an R3 Surf today in the showroom. There is no question the Premium Sound has enough volume, but I can't say that the sound is really "tight" at higher volumes. The Platinum sound increases the amp output from 2,000 to 2,500 and adds a second sub (10"). It costs about $500.00 more, but I don't think it is necessary.

I may add the wood trim as I think it dresses the boat up.

While the 210 was a great boat for me, the one thing that bothered me was the friction on the throttle lever, which made it very difficult to make minor speed adjustments. The R3 with EVC is has a much lighter feel and is adjustable (by the dealer) to make it "just right".

The one thing that was bothering me about this boat was the Delmar captain's chair. It uses two levers to adjust its position, but I noticed at the boat show that the chair tends to rock around a bit after you adjust it. The sales manager had a look at the underside of the seat today and located a twist knob (butterfly?) that can be tightened to "lock" the seat in place. After this was done, the seat is rock solid.

So, now, all I have to do is wait 3 months for the boat to be delivered. I'm thinking about going down to the factory in a month and taking tour. Maybe that will help pass the time.

[Big Block Power]

That sounds great. I'm glad you went with a 350 and not a 240. Great choice. If your not going big 380 or 430 the 350 is the next best thing.
Get a lift to keep that bad boy on now

[AsLan7]

.
Hey BR99, looking forward to pics of your new baby after delivery.

Sounds like you equipped her pretty well.

You are going to make some great memories with her.....and the family.

Definitely do the factory tour. You won't be disappointed.....especially if you see your boat down there on the line. Maybe you can sign the underside of the hull in an inconspicuous location.

Btw, you chose one of my favorite color combos.

.

[NautiGirl]

Congrats Bob - we won't give you too much crap over the engine choice lol. I agree the 350 should be more than enough. My 3 cents -I haven't checked the exchange rate today but I assume that's close - that you didn't ask for.

If you are on the fence between the upgraded sound and the trim I would do the trim now and the sound later. Adding the extra sub and amp down the road is easy. Adding the trim isn't, and it really does dress up the boat.

Also make the trip to the factory - the tour is awesome by itself but seeing your boat on the line would be super cool. I'm sure they would roll out the red carpet for you as well since you just bought a new boat.

Congrats again.

-Jeff

[tgrace98]

Hey Bob congrats! I knew from our talks you were close.
Glad you were able to make a deal you felt was the one for you! Can’t wait to see some pictures!

[Big Block Power]

Hey Bob congrats! I knew from our talks you were close.
Glad you were able to make a deal you felt was the one for you! Can’t wait to see some pictures!

Maybe tgrace98 and you could hook up together at the factory seeing that you both skipped out on us a few months ago. Too early yep.

[NautiGirl]

I wouldn't mind going back for some BBQ....Q39 this time, much better.

[Big Block Power]

Sounds like Mr Nauti is up for another meet up.

[NautiGirl]

I feel like I let you all down /w the BBQ - CharBar sucked. Q39 or Joes are hundreds times better better.

I go back every other year or so to catch a basketball game. I would happily keep up international relations and meet up /w our Canadian members if it worked /w my schedule. Sounds like he will need to be there before next basketball season though.

[BobRae99]

Congrats Bob - we won't give you too much crap over the engine choice lol. I agree the 350 should be more than enough. My 3 cents -I haven't checked the exchange rate today but I assume that's close - that you didn't ask for.

If you are on the fence between the upgraded sound and the trim I would do the trim now and the sound later. Adding the extra sub and amp down the road is easy. Adding the trim isn't, and it really does dress up the boat.

Also make the trip to the factory - the tour is awesome by itself but seeing your boat on the line would be super cool. I'm sure they would roll out the red carpet for you as well since you just bought a new boat.

Congrats again.

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I'm pretty sure I'll add the trim. The sound system is good enough I think. I really think that its hard to get tight soon don a boat, given enclosure side and acoustics. Putting it another way, if I spend $7,000CAD on a sound system for my home, it would be worlds better than the same amount put into a boat.

The only other thing I'm thinking about - I know everyone may say I'm crazy - is the decision to go with a tower. I got a chance to sit in a new R3 Surf in the showroom with the same tower I'll be getting, but with the bimini portion retracted. It hadn't been put away properly so the aluminum bows were out of place, but I was struck by just how beefy the superstructure is when you look skyward through it. I started thinking about just doing the standard bimini (without tower).

How can I put this? In car speak; the standard bimini (retracted) makes you feel like your are driving in a convertible, while the bimini (retracted) with a tower, makes me think of driving a car with T Tops (1970's cars). You are outside, but there is structure above you, partially obscuring your view of the sky.

I'd be interested in opinions from those who have had both or who have a tower on their current boat.

Other than that, I don't think there will be any more configuration changes.

[BobRae99]

I feel like I let you all down /w the BBQ - CharBar sucked. Q39 or Joes are hundreds times better better.

I go back every other year or so to catch a basketball game. I would happily keep up international relations and meet up /w our Canadian members if it worked /w my schedule. Sounds like he will need to be there before next basketball season though.

I'm toying with going down when I know my boat will be in production (after the hull and topside are married). I'm a bit of a "How its Made" geek. I guess you fly into Wichita, KS and drive an hour?

[tgrace98]

I feel like I let you all down /w the BBQ - CharBar sucked. Q39 or Joes are hundreds times better better.

I go back every other year or so to catch a basketball game. I would happily keep up international relations and meet up /w our Canadian members if it worked /w my schedule. Sounds like he will need to be there before next basketball season though.

I'm toying with going down when I know my boat will be in production (after the hull and topside are married). I'm a bit of a "How its Made" geek. I guess you fly into Wichita, KS and drive an hour?

If you make the trip let me know i’ll meet you. I haven’t done it yet and it’s about a 5hr drive for me.

[NautiGirl]

I feel like I let you all down /w the BBQ - CharBar sucked. Q39 or Joes are hundreds times better better.

I go back every other year or so to catch a basketball game. I would happily keep up international relations and meet up /w our Canadian members if it worked /w my schedule. Sounds like he will need to be there before next basketball season though.

I'm toying with going down when I know my boat will be in production (after the hull and topside are married). I'm a bit of a "How its Made" geek. I guess you fly into Wichita, KS and drive an hour?

Wichita or Kansas City or even Tulsa. The factory is in far Southeast KS. Flying into KC or Tulsa should be much cheaper than flying to Wichita.

[NautiGirl]

Congrats Bob - we won't give you too much crap over the engine choice lol. I agree the 350 should be more than enough. My 3 cents -I haven't checked the exchange rate today but I assume that's close - that you didn't ask for.

If you are on the fence between the upgraded sound and the trim I would do the trim now and the sound later. Adding the extra sub and amp down the road is easy. Adding the trim isn't, and it really does dress up the boat.

Also make the trip to the factory - the tour is awesome by itself but seeing your boat on the line would be super cool. I'm sure they would roll out the red carpet for you as well since you just bought a new boat.

Congrats again.

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I'm pretty sure I'll add the trim. The sound system is good enough I think. I really think that its hard to get tight soon don a boat, given enclosure side and acoustics. Putting it another way, if I spend $7,000CAD on a sound system for my home, it would be worlds better than the same amount put into a boat.

The only other thing I'm thinking about - I know everyone may say I'm crazy - is the decision to go with a tower. I got a chance to sit in a new R3 Surf in the showroom with the same tower I'll be getting, but with the bimini portion retracted. It hadn't been put away properly so the aluminum bows were out of place, but I was struck by just how beefy the superstructure is when you look skyward through it. I started thinking about just doing the standard bimini (without tower).

How can I put this? In car speak; the standard bimini (retracted) makes you feel like your are driving in a convertible, while the bimini (retracted) with a tower, makes me think of driving a car with T Tops (1970's cars). You are outside, but there is structure above you, partially obscuring your view of the sky.

I'd be interested in opinions from those who have had both or who have a tower on their current boat.

Other than that, I don't think there will be any more configuration changes.

I agree I would skip the extra Sub, your right on /w boats being a crappy place to invest a ton of money into a sound system.

I would add a tower. We said we didnt want one, Katie even asked the dealer if we could remove it. Now that we have it I wouldnt own a boat w/o one. We will never tow anyone from it, but they are still awesome for several reasons:

They give you a place to mount speakers
They give you a ton of shade /w the bimini
And most important they are great to grab when docking the boat. I cant count the number of times I have seen people grab the bimini mount on Katie's aunts boat when getting in and out or docking. I cringe every time because one day someone is going to break the mount. Our tower on the other hand is perfect for pulling the boat into a slip or using to hop in and out of the boat when tied up. Get a tower.

Oh and the trim, get the nice trim package.

[Big Block Power]

Bob of your going to ditch the tower you better add a 430 or I will never forgive you.
Really like Jeff said I would never own another boat without a tower. I loce mine even if it doesn't fit through the garage opening
I'll take my ttops Trans Am any day of the week.