?'s 2005 Nordic Rage Open Bow
 

All,I'm purchasing a 2005 Rage Open Bow. I've done quite a bit of research and I know it's the boat I want but since finding this forum a few questions have come to mind.

1) Is this a wood free boat - if not is that a problem?

2) I've seen that the boats are layed up differently - are there indicators in the VIN that will indicate that?

3) The boat doesn't have a bimini, a bow cover, or a cockpit cover - I'm planing on having the dealer in Austin install these prior to bringing it home - any cautions or recommendations other than using Nordic products?

4) Standard mounting of driver's and nav chair - I've seen some boats with very solid looking pedestal/bolster style mounting. This boat looks to have a single tube style mount. Any concerns there? Do the seats swivel?

5) Storage - How much storage room does this boat have for skis, ropes, etc?

6) Did this boat come with a depth finder?

The boat has the 425 HO and I'll use it mostly with the wife and our five kids. I'm sure I have the right boat but these are a few questions I have. Thanks for your help.

I'm on my 2nd 25' Nordic. The 1st was a 99 Scandia. Esentially the same boat before the stepped hull. I now have an 02. Can't complain much (there's always something we would do better). I'm not 100% here, but I believe the Nordics went wood free in 06, just after Randy Davis bought Nordic. Someone here can clear that up for sure, but there's no problem w/ wood boats. The specs on the wood & wood free are 3700 lbs. so there's nothing to back up the weight claim. I've seen differences in Rage's even the same year. A friend has an 02 also & his stereo is mounted on the opposite side & his cooler space is different. Don't know if this is an indication of different layups or just options.
I had a local shop make me a bimini & cockpit cover with no problem. I would recommend a bimini with 2 hardpoint (poles) mounts. Mine has 1 pole in the center with straps front & rear. It wants to fly over 35-40 mph, so it's not good to have up underway.
The brand new Rage has dropout style seats which are certainly better, but the single pole is plenty sturdy & it is kind of nice to have the swivel though I never use it. No complaints with any of Nordic upholstery.
Storage is a weakness. I've seen 19' boats with more storage. There is room for a couple skis under the bow floor (access from the cabin) but the floor locker is much too short. Wakeboards will just have to be on the floor in the cabin. There is a very nice anchor locker for ropes, bumpers, anchor in the bow. Jackets fit nice in the floor locker or under the back seat. Most came with partitions in the engine compartment, but mine are long gone to make maintenance easier.
I think the depth finder is optional. Mine has it, my buddy doesn't but these things are minor details that can be sorted out.
As far as the 496, you won't win races but you also won't spend all your time & money here looking for parts. It is a great boat for families with room for 6-7 & you'll get more lookers & comments than you would on any other boat.
Good luck!

Nordic went 100% wood Free in 2008. These boats just keep getting better and better. The dealer meeting showcased some of the 2010 models,and a peek at whats to come.

You'll like the 25,its a ton of fun to drive!!!!!

Tim
oregoncustommarine.com

The ultimate 25 footer
 

In my opinion there isn't a better boat out there in this class. Performance, styling, factory support, it has it all I think you will be very happy.

John
Unlimited Marine
270-858-6911

Interesting coincidence. I bought a used 2005 Rage in Havasu a couple years ago. Low hours (75) and perfect. I must say I am very pleased with the boat. Also (was) 496HO and a bow rider. The seat mounts are something you should watch, there are bolts that fasten to Tnuts under the floor. If the Phillips bolts come loose the T nuts fall off and then you think they are stripped. I love the boat, very fast and good in rough water (for a 25'). Can't beat the looks of this hull either. Get the pole mounted Bimini tho. I have the stock one from Nordic and the strap mounted hooks are really cheap. I forgot the roof was up one day on the river and took it up to 60 mph. Dumb! The front hooks opened up SUDDENLY!!!!! and the strap and hook hit my son on the hand! He was pissed. I have good hooks now. My neighbor has a 28 Heat, but I prefer mine. He is bigger but not that much different in the waves. What I don't like about the 28's is the bow high ride atitiude when on plane. If you are not in the front seat you can't see where you are going. Also they are lots slower. They are about 500 lbs heavier according to Nordic but are 10-15mph slower. My 25 is faster than my buddies 28 even if I have 8 people in the boat and he is alone.

The Rage is a great boat!!

As to the comparison between the Rage and the Heat...
I have driven both quite a lot...
& well.... I wont go there.. :grinser010: :lolhit:

Chris

Here's my experience FWIW. My boat is a Whipple 496 and my buddy has a Procharged 496. he bought the boat from the guy who put my Whipple on. We have boated together lots and are both using Bravo 4 blade props (28's and 30's). I may have been a bit high to say there might be 15 mph difference, but there is for sure 10. I think his boat goes less than 80 and mine goes 90. In rough water (we have been in storms together) and there is a difference, but not that much. Last summer we got caught in a storm on the Shuswap in BC Canada along with a friend with a 31 Scarab. I was pounding through these 5' waves and looking at the 28 bouncing beside me ALMOST as much as I was. Then I looked at the Scarab (3feet longer than the Heat which was 3 feet longer than me) and it was not pounding at all. You would have thought it was a 38!!!!!!!! 25 to 28 hmmmm not much. 28 to 31-no comparison whatsoever! I also really don't like the visibilty in the Heat. It runs so bow high that your visibilty is zero from the back seat and poor from the front unless you stand or are tall. One more item. This may be partly because of the Whipple Procharger difference. The low end acceleration difference between these two boats is huge. I literally walk away from the 28 from a stop. Thats my experience others may differ.

Oh boy... here we go.. :party-smiley-004:

The difference between a pro-charger, and a Whipple is pretty dramatic. I have had several friends do the switch to a Whipple, and the difference is usually about 10 mph. (Including on some Heat's)

If your friends Heat is riding nose high, then it is set up incorrectly.. as to outdrive depth, prop selection, and weight distribution. I am only 5'-6" tall, and can see over my bow while seated, at all times, except when initially coming on plane. His set up... is messed up!

I completely agree that with all being equal, a properly set up Rage will out accelerate a Heat with the same horsepower. Side note: (from 30 mph, I have yet to have a jet ski out accelerate me, and I only have 730 hp. I love racing them!)

Having said that.. a properly set up Heat is much more stable at speed, and will destroy a Rage in rough water.

My Heat (which is fairly well set up), is simply magic running across 3 ft, white capped chop at 92 mph. I can let go of the wheel at those speeds, and in those kind of conditions.

In summation..

Your Rage sounds like it is pretty well set up.

I hope your friend can fix his Heat... it is far from meeting its true potential.

Not a good comparison,

Chris :ernaehrung004:

It all comes down to your style of boating. If you don't boat in rough water, you don't need a bigger boat. I've owned both. They are an apples to oranges comparison. The Rage is great for recreation, tubing, skiing, etc. The Heat is not. It is not nimble enough and does not plane well at slower speeds. The Heat rides much better and handles like it's on rails. As far as speed there is 8-10 mph difference between the 2 with 496 power. Low 70's for the Rage, low 60's for the heat(tested at my home lake).

To throw in my 2 cents on the Whipple/Procharger debate. A couple of years ago I built 2 540 engines. One had a Whipple and was in a 28 Heat. The other had an M3 Procharger and was in a Rage. Both had FAST efi. Amazingly both made in the 920 HP range at 6000 rpm. The Whipple had about 100 ft. lbs. more torque at 3000 rpm, but the PC caught up really fast. The Heat would run mid 90s. Acceleration was very good, but just kind of linear, it just pulled hard all the way. The Rage was an animal from 20 MPH up. It just pulled harder and harder as the PC built more boost. It did not have full hydraulic steering and was just about impossible to drive with any trim. It would hit 90 in a heartbeat(with no trim). We never did see top speed out of it.