Thoughts on optional equipment

I'm ready to order a new 25 to be built. With final cost in mind, I wonder what options are recommended as those best to choose. We'll be doing the vast majority of our cruising on the Chesapeake, with a trip North and South one of these if we ever get to retire... Just my wife and myself.

Should I get radar? It's a big price jump...
Which Garmin unit?
Patio rails for the swim platform?
TV?
have fans installed?
Etc.....
I know a lot of this is subjective to one's particular needs, but I'm looking forward to comments and suggestions. From my limited experience with this forum, I have no doubt I'll get a few! 🙂
Looking forward to being a real Tugnuts!

Thanks,

Bill

Hi Bill,
Welcome aboard. We are on our second Ranger tug and have made decisions based on our first and the things we realized would make it a more enjoyable adventure. Our first Ranger was limited on the extras and we rethought our choices. We have been boating since 1971 in larger boats and we never missed the extras because we never had the experience of using them. When we decided on a R-29 we used our experience to reevaluate our equipment choices. We have it all with the exception of some luxury items which we feel we don't need. So from our experience the following items are almost necessary:
1. Auto pilot - for extended cruises it make the helm much easier to manage. I drink my coffee and just watch for logs or deadheads.
2. Radar - if you are planning on cruising after dark or in foggy conditions, its a must.
3. We have the Garmin 5215 and love it. The unit is multitasking.
4. The TV is standard (I think) and comes with a CD-DVD player so you can enjoy your glass of wine and watch favorite movies at night or you might decide to bury yourself in a favorite book. This gives you a choice.
5. We have a freezer (52quart) which allows us to go on extended cruises and carry our favorite foods. It is stored in the lower birth area.
6. We do not have a rail around out transom step which gives greater flexibility on the choices for dingy storage.
7. We use a shower curtain in the head for showering which keeps the area dry and , I think, much cleaner.
8. We have a folding step stool which we use to access the upper areas of the boat and I quite often put a chair up there when Nita is kayaking , I can enjoy the view and watch her.
9. We have a Pacer Lift on the boat which allows us to keep the Kayaks or inflatable on the upper deck is makes it easier for launch and retrieval.
We wish you many happy years of boating and I hope this has helped.
Bob

Ditto on what Bob said. Some of his suggestions like the freezer can always be brought on board later. My strategy was to get any extras that you know you will want that will cost more to put in after you get the boat and hold off on the things you are undecided about. Use your boat for a year and how you use it will determine what you may want to add or change around.
And welcome aboard, you are about to enter a world of excitement, enjoyment and wonderful camaraderie.

Mike & Jess

Like Bob and Nita, we're also on our 2nd Ranger Tug. While we don't have anywhere near the experience, we learned enough on our R25 to guide our decisions on the R29.

We'd definitely second Bob's recommendation on the Garmin MFD Chart Plotter, Radar, and Auto-Pilot. I'd also recommend the Garmin VHF as the entire Garmin installation will be networked.

The ability to overlay radar on your charts is a key feature, and not just in poor visibility. The ability to use MARPA to track targets is great for course correction decision support. No more guessing about the targets speed, track, or potential for collision. We didn't even know it existed for three years, and now we use it whenever we're underway.

Cruise control is also a high priority option. We bought our R25 without it. It was our first boat and we wanted to actively pilot through our initial learning curve. Two years later we had it installed, and didn't think twice when we purchased the R29. Like Bob said, it allows you to pay attention to everything going on around you. Scanning the water, keeping track of gauges, acquiring MARPA targets, etc. Just as importantly, it affords significantly improved time and fuel efficiency by keeping the boat on course through wind, waves, and current. Garmin's inexpensive HomePort application also lets you download charts from your plotter to your computer, plan and save routes, and upload them to your plotter.

As for amenities, here are a few quick observations: neither of us thought we'd want a TV - didn't have one on the R25, but love having it on the R29; the Wallas stove was very serviceable, and doubled as a great forced air heater, but we much prefer the propane stove and diesel heat we now have - don't know if those options are available on the 25SC; got to have speakers in the cockpit - didn't on the R25; we included the swim step rail and enjoy the added security - our factory mounted dinghy swings up vertically on quick release davits; we sold our 2HP Honda outboard and bought a Torqeedo Travel 1003 (3 HP equivalent) - it's light, quiet, and wonderful (we had an AC outlet installed in the cockpit cabinet for charging).

Good luck with your decisions. Choosing a Ranger Tug is a great place to start.

Cheers,

Bruce

Using the Available Factory Options list for the R29, here is what I would recommend:
1. Bimini top for protection from the sun
2. Side enclosures with Strato-glass for protection from the rain and cold in the winter. It also offers some protection when anchored or tied up.
3. Side enclosures with screens. The flies on the bay will eat you up - even when you are miles from shore.
4. IMO, air conditioning is a nice to have. Fans throughout the boat are a must.
5. IMO, you can buy an anchor package cheaper somewhere else. Make sure you get at least a 17 lb. or heavier anchor.
6. Autopilot is a must if you will be cruising a lot on the bay. Wish I had it on my R21.
7. Cockpit carpet is pretty - your choice.
8. You can get all the Coast Guard safety stuff a lot cheaper at West Marine.
9. The cabin heater that comes with the boat is fine for chilly mornings and to cruise with. If you plan on using your boat during the winter and plan on anchoring out, then you may want a diesel heater/stove.
10. If you are going to anchor out a lot, you should have a generator. A lot of people are getting the $2000 Honda E2000 generator. The Honda is cheap, works great, and is quiet. The only problem is you have to carry gasoline for it.
11. An inverter is a must if you plan on using items that require AC while underway or at anchor.
12. A macerator is not required unless you plan to go outside the three mile limit to the Bahamas or the Caribbean. It cannot be used anywhere inside the three mile limit.
13. The microwave would be a must if camping a lot.
14. The nav package is a must for use on the bay.
15. The safety kit, fenders, lines, flares, life jackets and boat hook can be purchased cheaper at West Marine. (same as number 8 above)
16. A solar panel would be nice if you anchor a lot.
17. A wireless remote for the thrusters might be nice if you are planning to single handle your boat.
18. IMO, patio rails are not required.

I will throw you my opionion on radar.. IF you are getting the garmin chartplotter and you really feel you need radar then buy the 18hd combined with 4208 or what they are offereing 5212. I had installed the 4208 and 18hd radar on our cat two years ago and wish I had done it much sooner. But then again ask yourself.. Are you going to be traveling by nite, in fog and or rain. IF the answer to those is no.. then save your money.. The only time I did use the radar was nite runs from florida to the bahamas. and or in heavily traveled areas.

But that new 18 hd does some amazing things..

we are also considering a 25 this year. Looking at the miami show next week. But will more than likely not put radar on board. If your cruising the whole idea is to wait for better weather.

Bill

after reading all these suggestions I am surprised that no one has suggested one thing that I have begun to feel is very important.. The HEAD WE have had 3 catamarans sail that we sailed and motored thru out the east coast. The maintenance on the head is a constant thing. Either plugged hoses, smelly interior from poor hoses from factory.. A macerator that burns out.

We just sold our leopard 40 cat and plan to order either the Rossy 25 or the Ranger. But the one thing I want is no holding tank. Use it for fresh water. The head will be a Air Head or Natures own. Either one does the job. No hoses, No thru hulls, No paper in a plastic sack. And it lasts for a month before changine. Look up the web sites for either of these composit heads.

A retired friend of mine has two of them now. Swears by them. So we said ask the wife,, Does it smell, is it easy to take care. Her answer,, she loves it. No more hoses to deal with and no smell.. Her comment was a earthy order at times but far less than the jabso heads.

But the best part, No more discharge into the water we want to live on and swim in. think on that. No more worry of being caught discharging in no discharge areas. And never have to worry if the pumps out will work.. Most do not.

If any Ranger owners are to be visiting the Exumas during March and April, we would like to invite you to stop at Staniel Cay where we can arrange a private anchorage out of the wind and convenient to shore. We can also help you with Exuma navigation, having lived and boated there for 30 some years. In fact we can probably help you with most anything from refreshing your water, hot showers, internet, fuel,fishing, machine shop, plane flights in and out, food shopping, etc. Although we have a Ranger 29 we do not take it to the Bahamas. We have taken other boats and with GPS and Chartkits, navigation has become very easy. Rangers are ideal because their shallow draft allows them to take many of the inside passages out, particularly in the Exuma Chain.

The only cruising advice I can offer is that the winter weather pattern during March and early April can feature fairly consistent and strong wind flow. It is not uncommon for us to have several days of 20 to 25 knot winds out of the east. When the cold fronts cross Florida, you have a day or so before they reach the Bahamas. They are usually dry, but windy. So folks often choose protected anchorages and wait for the winds to die before moving on. Traditionally the winter pattern breaks about mid April and you can look for much more benign winds after that. For crossing from Fla, you almost always need to plan to hang out in Fla for a good day. Usually this is two or three days but if you are unlucky it can be as long as a couple weeks. But believe me it is worth it. There is no finer cruising ground, water clear as gin, uncrowded beaches. You will be hooked.

If you know you are coming out I suggest emailing me at dick@timberlock.com. Our VHF call sign on Staniel Cay is "Runaway" and our number there is 242 355-2058. But I suggest that first we correspond via email.

Dick and Barb Catlin, "Big Toot"

Dick and Barb,
What a great offer to the group. If Nita and I had a trailor, a large truck to pull it and didn't live in Washington State we would probably take advantage of your kind offer. All the best and if you get out here we would try to be as kind.
Bob and Nita

Bob,

You mentioned you use a shower curtain in your wet head. I've searched around the internet for information on how to make this happen and am interested in how you installed something like this on your boat.

"7. We use a shower curtain in the head for showering which keeps the area dry and , I think, much cleaner."

Thanks,
Erik

Hoppyman":1x7d67v9 said:

Bob,

You mentioned you use a shower curtain in your wet head. I've searched around the internet for information on how to make this happen and am interested in how you installed something like this on your boat.

"7. We use a shower curtain in the head for showering which keeps the area dry and , I think, much cleaner."

Thanks,
Erik

Click to expand...

We haven't seen Bob's installation, but here's one solution, and what we're considering installing. Inexpensive ceiling mount. Determine your own enclosure pattern. Pick your own curtain.

http://www.sailrite.com/RECMAR-4372-Del ... it-72-Long

Cheers,

Bruce

Chesapeake Bay Boating: Airconditioner a must! And we love our Garmin 5212. We are in the lower Chesapeake and weekends on the boat would be unbearable with out the AC.

Bruce,

Very good info. Looks like you can bend it however you wish to meet your needs. Sounds perfect.

Thanks!
Erik

Hi Eric,
Nita and I used plastic suction cups with a hook on the end. I can't remember where we found them but they work very well and installation involves wetting them and pushing then on the fiber glass surface (When Nita gets home I will ask her where she got them and send another message). We use about eight to ten of them around the perimeter of the bath and use two mounted on either side of the shower head to store the curtain. We simple remove the curtain from the storage hooks and mount the curtain around using the other hooks when we are ready to shower (works very well and is cheap and easy). Something else we use is a "Shamwow" absorbent cloth to wipe the shower floor and any moisture on the walls and the mirror after we finish showering.
What ever works for you but ours is of minimal cost and effort.
Bob and Nita

Hi Bob,

That sounds like a good idea. I'd be interested where to find the hooks.

Funny thing is, I was just in Freddie's yesterday and picked up a 3-pak of Shamwows. My wife thought they would be excellent for the boat.

Thanks,
Erik

Eric,
I went to the boat and took some pictures which I will have Nita post in our album for you to look at. I went to two hardware stores and one Rite Aid to find the hooks but they were out. At Ace Hardware and the other two locations they had other hooks that would work. Some of them have a sticky back with a peal off cover that you could use, or there are many other different types that you could choose from. Also Nita reminded that we used one full curtain and half of another curtain sewn together to give us enough single curtain for the required horizontal length. The curtains were purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond, and the material is 100% polyester.
Bob

Bob,

Thank you very much for all the info. This really helps a lot as I'm looking to be proactive about keeping things aboard shipshape before they become a problem. I will look for your pictures.

Thanks again,
Erik

Eric,
The pictures of our shower curtain installation are in our photo album under the title "Boat Modifications".
All the best,
Bob

Bob,

Took a look at the pictures. Nice, simple solution. I like it.

Thanks,
Erik

One other thing Nita and I installed in our shower is a shut off shower head. It allows us to adjust the water temp before we start the shower then for us to turn on and shut off the water as required as we soap down and rinse off. We feel we save a lot of water this way because we don't have to keep adjusting the temp as we turn on and off the valve.
Bob