Hi All

Thinking of getting a boat with all bells and whistles (finder, cam etc)
What would be your choice given option? Torn between an ND2 or RT7.

In reply to Post #1
My experience, my views. I own a RT4 boat, it's my 2nd, I probably wouldn't buy another CL boat. While I can't fault the customer service I've received from Rowan here in the U.K, and in Germany with my earlier boat, I've had problems with both from delivery (I mean new) which has really put me off. When working properly however they are a very impressive BB.

I do think CL RT7 is probably the best boat on the market but due to quality control, length of time for repairs, the aggressive official forum where it's very easy to get banned, I'd not part with a big wedge to get one. I also wouldn't believe all the hype about self driving boats, CL like all companues can't guarantee satellite coverage, and yes I had problems with that too.

I'm sure there are a lot of satisfied CL users out there, I don't mind the odd issue, but 2 faulty from new has really dented my confidence.

After speaking to Jo Jacobs I'd be very tempted by the Tolson.
I've never looked at the ND boats so can't comment.

Edit, if you want all the bells and whistles with the RT7 you'll be looking at subscription plans, another reason I wouldn't entertain it, but if your o.k with that fair enough.

In reply to Post #2

After speaking to Jo Jacobs I'd be very tempted by the Tolson.

Is that bait boat Joe from South Weald. Bait Boat Solutions?

In reply to Post #3
Yes, that the one. Before sending my RT4 off to CL I had a good chat with him on the phone hence my comment. Iirc he hires them out, sound about right? I guess he's more experience than most re the Tolson if that's the case.

I should've also said before, I have no experience of cameras on boats.

I've got the rt4 with the raymarine echo and find it to be brilliant, talking to some people the newer CL rt7 boat is apparently not all that and people are selling them

I also heard CL might be taken over 😉

In reply to Post #5
It doesn't surprise me, I lost interest when they started saying you had to remove the battery tray after use because the motors caused condensation that corrupted the electronic circuitry and components in the boat

They obviously knew about the problem pre release as the early models (maybe even later ones) had a perforated battery tray....perforations at the bottom....which genius thought that 1 up it was the same with the smart battery, I have it.

The RT4 was just about solid when they replaced it with the RT7, assuming it was built properly. I can see why they went all integrated though and it is a improvement clutter wise, but paid subscriptions....nah.

I had an RT4 v3, was good to a point but has a massive design flaw imo and that is you can't get to the motors (or much else for that matter) without splitting the hull. Even though I took all the precautions my motors eventually just rusted to the point of almost being siezed. Only found out by getting someone to split it open. I lost faith in CL after that, also makes me wonder what you are getting when you see one for sale 2nd hand. Anyway, got a Toslon X Boat that I had a Raymarine fitted to and never looked back.

I put up a review of the ND2 on the review section in Jan 2023.I'd had the boat for 20 months then, so it's now getting on for 3 1/2 years old.

There's nothing I would change and the latest app now allows for swim mapping 👍

In reply to Post #8
ND2 looking more likely for me