R3 vs. R5

[BobRae99]

I had a 210 and moved up to an R3. I didn't drive the R3 before I bought it and was surprised at the difference in the handling compared to the 210. It steers heavier and handles less sporty. I found that to be a disappointment initially. On the positive side, it handles chop much better and is smoother overall. I also like the extra interior space and the higher freeboard for a drier ride. After a few hours I was satisfied that the trade off between sporty and more comfort was well worth it.

My suggestion is to determine your space and comfort needs and choose accordingly. For a couple that goes out with 4 people on board, the R3 provides more than enough room. If you will be partying with 8 people every time you go out, I think the R5 might be a better choice. I haven't driven an R5 and if you haven't and have the opportunity, I'd do so. It might illuminate the handling and ride differences between the 2 models and help you decide.

[Red Herring55]

I would go and measure the r3 out might fit indoors. Find how they measure it for storage. From where to where.

It's a very compact drystack facility, and the length while in the bunk is not the primary issue--it's the turning space inside the building and also the weight distribution. The R3 would be too heavy and too long for the forklift they use. The 22 was already borderline due to the length of the forks--they had to get it all the way back or it would start to tip forward. This happened once (while I was watching) and they had to get a bunch of guys to stand on the back of the forklift so it didn't tip over while they had another forklift reset it further back. Scary, but then I thought well, who better to wreck your boat than your dealer?

At Gordy's? I know for a fact they can dry stack up to 25', I looked at a 252 in dry stack there, and there were boats that looked bigger sitting on racks near it. Did they tell you they wouldn't stack it, or you're just not comfortable with it?

You must be thinking of Cobalt Farms, their inland storage/service facility about a mile north--they stack all the bigger boats there both for winter storage and lakefront valet service. There's no way a 25 would fit in the regular lakefront drystack--I know every boat in there.

[Krob1114]

If the R3 is too long and heavy to dry stack, you must have some other plan if you're considering the R5.
(My R3 is on a lift. My R5 is in my golf bag.)

[tgrace98]

If the R3 is too long and heavy to dry stack, you must have some other plan if you're considering the R5.
(My R3 is on a lift. My R5 is in my golf bag.)

R5? Sounds like it’s time we talk about upgrading your golf bag!

[akorcovelos]

It's a very compact drystack facility, and the length while in the bunk is not the primary issue--it's the turning space inside the building and also the weight distribution. The R3 would be too heavy and too long for the forklift they use. The 22 was already borderline due to the length of the forks--they had to get it all the way back or it would start to tip forward. This happened once (while I was watching) and they had to get a bunch of guys to stand on the back of the forklift so it didn't tip over while they had another forklift reset it further back. Scary, but then I thought well, who better to wreck your boat than your dealer?

At Gordy's? I know for a fact they can dry stack up to 25', I looked at a 252 in dry stack there, and there were boats that looked bigger sitting on racks near it. Did they tell you they wouldn't stack it, or you're just not comfortable with it?

You must be thinking of Cobalt Farms, their inland storage/service facility about a mile north--they stack all the bigger boats there both for winter storage and lakefront valet service. There's no way a 25 would fit in the regular lakefront drystack--I know every boat in there.

That may be, but the guy who bought the 252 I looked at is dry stacking with in/out service so whether it's down the road or on site does it matter if the boats in the water when you want it to be?

[Tuscany]

I'll throw my 2 cents in here. I don't own either at the present time, but am looking at the R3 vs R5 myself. For my situation, the head in the R5 doesn't come into play. I would never use it and would be against anyone else using it either. I have actually played with the diagrams of the 2 overlaid on my computer. When you take the space taken up by the head compartment, there really doesn't appear to be much more space in the R5. I have a cottage on a small bay on Lake Ontario and can get back to the cottage within 10 minutes from anywhere I would be boating. I'm not opposed to going bigger to get a better ride. To me, it all comes down to pricing what's important to me. I'd rather spend my money on a bigger engine than a tower. When I make up my mind, I will equip both models with the necessities for me. Considering 1 step larger engine upgrade if I go with the R5. I agree that the 350 is the minimum for the R3 and the 380 for the R5. Personally, I don't trade in boats. Also, for me, I have no need for upgraded stereo, underwater lights, tower, or Bimini top. You have to decide how YOU want to use the boat, not someone else, unless you plan on trading up in a few years. As someone else said, the head "may" come in handy, when the little ones get bigger. My current hand me down boat is a 1975 model. I get compliments every time people see it since I take very good care of it. With the exception of the outdated styling, it looks like the day my father bought it. I'm a big believer in a good waxing every year and keeping it under a full canvas when not being used.
Sorry that was so long but I'm a big believer in buying what one needs instead of what would just be a waste of money. Hell, I drive a 2005 vehicle since it does everything I need it to do.
Good luck with your decision.

Each step up (3-5-7) offers significantly more room in both the bow and rear.
The leg room on the three boats go from tighter on 5he 3, to almost stretch out on the 5 with room for another with the bow cushion insert, and to completely stretch out without my toes touching on the 7, with room for three, and four with the bow cushion insert.
Same with the rear. So there is definitely a difference in space available.

I know I’ve tossed this tid-bit out in during the past.. The smell and poop sitting in the compartment, yeah, not something I want.
Our last boat had a portipotty, and in the 13 years of owning it, we never used it once.
But, an actual flushing toilet will transform the thought of using a head

While on a friends boat with a flushing head with an external 10 gallon holding tank, we found it to be ..different/clean/useable.
We ordered the toilet, and it makes for a perfect party boat for the ladies. The guests re comfortable all day, and no interruptions with loaded bladders killing off the fun. I won’t own another boat without it.
The head area never has a hint of a smell, because the waste isn’t in the head room, it’s under the bow..
We find 10 gallons of hold is usually good for our season, and I have it pumped out at seasons end.

[willyswagon]

I couldn't agree more Tuscany. The only reason we switched from small bow riders to the 26 SD was the head with the pump out. Da bride looked at me one day and said, "So now that I'm in my 50's, do you think we should get a boat with a head so I can stop hanging my arse in the water everytime need to pee?" I said cut back on the red wine and you'll be fine!
Tried several boats that claim to have a head. Most were like squeezing a marshmellow into a piggy bank.

Found the SD and the rest in history. Now I can't imagine owning a boat without one.

[Krob1114]

If the R3 is too long and heavy to dry stack, you must have some other plan if you're considering the R5.
(My R3 is on a lift. My R5 is in my golf bag.)

R5? Sounds like it’s time we talk about upgrading your golf bag!

Golf ended with purchase of boat. Not enough funds available for both.

[Krob1114]

I couldn't agree more Tuscany. The only reason we switched from small bow riders to the 26 SD was the head with the pump out. Da bride looked at me one day and said, "So now that I'm in my 50's, do you think we should get a boat with a head so I can stop hanging my arse in the water everytime need to pee?" I said cut back on the red wine and you'll be fine!
Tried several boats that claim to have a head. Most were like squeezing a marshmellow into a piggy bank.

Found the SD and the rest in history. Now I can't imagine owning a boat without one.

I told my wife, "That's what the rear step down is for."

[willyswagon]

I couldn't agree more Tuscany. The only reason we switched from small bow riders to the 26 SD was the head with the pump out. Da bride looked at me one day and said, "So now that I'm in my 50's, do you think we should get a boat with a head so I can stop hanging my arse in the water everytime need to pee?" I said cut back on the red wine and you'll be fine!
Tried several boats that claim to have a head. Most were like squeezing a marshmellow into a piggy bank.

Found the SD and the rest in history. Now I can't imagine owning a boat without one.

I told my wife, "That's what the rear step down is for."

Try selling that when the water temp only gets above 70 degrees for 10 days a yr! Depending on your work schedule you may miss those days altogether.

[Krob1114]

Yeah, it's great to be in the south. We've still haven't winterized.
Biggest problem for me, Sept and Oct on the lake conflicts with football. Lake wins most of the time.

[willyswagon]

Right now air temp is 40...water temp 53. Just going to pull out the Fast Rescue Craft and do a weekly hull inspection.

[tgrace98]

I couldn't agree more Tuscany. The only reason we switched from small bow riders to the 26 SD was the head with the pump out. Da bride looked at me one day and said, "So now that I'm in my 50's, do you think we should get a boat with a head so I can stop hanging my arse in the water everytime need to pee?" I said cut back on the red wine and you'll be fine!
Tried several boats that claim to have a head. Most were like squeezing a marshmellow into a piggy bank.

Found the SD and the rest in history. Now I can't imagine owning a boat without one.

I told my wife, "That's what the rear step down is for."

Yep it’s exactly why boat builders make this optional. Only boats you see flushing toilets on at table rock is cabin cruisers and yachts. Head area makes awesome dry storage when you have 3 couples on your boat. And you never know when an afternoon pop up storm will hit

[tgrace98]

If the R3 is too long and heavy to dry stack, you must have some other plan if you're considering the R5.
(My R3 is on a lift. My R5 is in my golf bag.)

R5? Sounds like it’s time we talk about upgrading your golf bag!

Golf ended with purchase of boat. Not enough funds available for both.

I still attempt to do both but if it’s golf or boating, boating wins. I went from 35 rounds a year to less than 10

[Tuscany]

I’m 60, my wife is 58.
We’ve gone from towing our kids and their friends on tubes for thousands of miles, to entertaining adults with drinks and then dinner at a lakeside restaurant. Before dinner, what is more fun than afternoon drinks and snacks while floating out on the lake with music and a ton of laughs around the table? I don’t think peeing over the backside is what female guests expect. Personally, I’m not taking a leak on the swim platform either.

So, it’s probably a “place in life” where you are. That is what drives our priorities.