Ride experience

[Jeffncarolyn]

First time poster here. My wife Carolyn and I have been looking at Tugs for years. My wife has always loved the look of Nordic tugs, especially back when she worked at Mystic Seaport in college.

Most recently we have been drawn to the packed features, and the trailer-ability of the Rangers. The additional speed that Rangers offer vs traditional trawlers is also appealing to us. We primarily boat near Fisher's Island in Connecticut, though we have dreams of doing the great loop. We would also love to be able to take the boat from Connecticut to Maine from time to time - waiting for a good weather window.

Every boat is a compromise, and we are especially curious on how these boats handle in the waves. My wife sometimes gets seasick, and we are wondering how much difference going from an 8.5 to 10 foot beam would make. We have a 3/4 ton diesel, I regularly tow a fifth wheel and gooseneck equipment trailers, we would be fine towing either way.

We've gone to several boat shows, and we've decided that the Ranger 25 is the smallest we could comfortably live on - ride quality aside. There are also considerations like fuel capacity, black tank size, etc, that i don't think we've fully explored yet.

We live in CT but would be happy to travel some distance for a ride if anyone would be willing to take us out! Would love to be able to feel what these boats are like underway.

 

[Bob&Jilly]

Interesting challenge. We went through some similar reasoning when choosing our boat. We have an R27 OB. Having moved from an 11-foot-beam sailboat to an 8.5-foot-beam Ranger, there is a noticeable difference in side-to-side rocking when you take a wave at the wrong angle. That said, we've adjusted to it for several reasons.

It's easy to trailer, offers plenty of room for the two of us on longer cruises, and has enough space to bring friends aboard for day trips. We also like the ability to get up and go when we need to, along with the ease of handling. It performs well in most conditions, although, as with any boat, a great deal depends on the skill and judgment of the skipper.

I would have been perfectly happy with either the 25 or 27 diesel, while my wife preferred the outboard. As is often the case, the final choice was a combination of practical considerations and personal preference.

 

[AGLyme]

We too live in CT (Lyme, keep the boat in Old Lyme). My wife was NOT a boater - until I bought the RT 31cb. She was also a seasick person. However, the Fly Bridge changed everything. She loves it up there with her pals especially. She has not gotten seasick once in 3 seasons. She likes the fresh air. The 31 has a 10' beam.

 

[Jeffncarolyn]

We too live in CT (Lyme, keep the boat in Old Lyme). My wife was NOT a boater - until I bought the RT 31cb. She was also a seasick person. However, the Fly Bridge changed everything. She loves it up there with her pals especially. She has not gotten seasick once in 3 seasons. She likes the fresh air. The 31 has a 10' beam.

That is great feedback! We are down by you all the time! Watching the swallows migration in the fall is one of Carolyn's favorite parts of the year.

Any chance we could offer you dinner or something in exchange for a ride?

 

[Submariner]

First time poster here. My wife Carolyn and I have been looking at Tugs for years. My wife has always loved the look of Nordic tugs, especially back when she worked at Mystic Seaport in college.

Most recently we have been drawn to the packed features, and the trailer-ability of the Rangers. The additional speed that Rangers offer vs traditional trawlers is also appealing to us. We primarily boat near Fisher's Island in Connecticut, though we have dreams of doing the great loop. We would also love to be able to take the boat from Connecticut to Maine from time to time - waiting for a good weather window.

Every boat is a compromise, and we are especially curious on how these boats handle in the waves. My wife sometimes gets seasick, and we are wondering how much difference going from an 8.5 to 10 foot beam would make. We have a 3/4 ton diesel, I regularly tow a fifth wheel and gooseneck equipment trailers, we would be fine towing either way.

We've gone to several boat shows, and we've decided that the Ranger 25 is the smallest we could comfortably live on - ride quality aside. There are also considerations like fuel capacity, black tank size, etc, that i don't think we've fully explored yet.

We live in CT but would be happy to travel some distance for a ride if anyone would be willing to take us out! Would love to be able to feel what these boats are like underway.

Check out this video, I go over a lot of the major differences between all the Ranger Tugs models.

 

[S. Todd]

We had a R25 (2015 Inboard, 8'6" beam) for 6 years and then purchased a R29 (2021 Inboard, 10' beam) which we have had for 6 years. Our boats live on their trailers and get launched every time before we cruise. The 10-foot beam definitely takes more effort to trailer, especially in road work zones, but we are more than happy with the additional beam when on board. The 10-foot beam (and additional weight) definitely gives a better ride in rough water than the 8 1/2 beam. It is noticeable both when cruising and when sitting at a dock with some waves in the marina. The difference in fuel mileage at fast cruise (13 - 15 miles per hour) is 2.3 mpg for the smaller boat and 1.6 mpg for the boat that weighs almost twice as much. An insignificant difference in exchange for the additional space and ride improvement. Slow it down to trawler speed and there is minimal difference (hull speed is a function of the waterline length so the R29 has a faster hull speed than the R25). The difference in insurance costs for the two were insignificant. Thus, if the initial cost is not an overwhelming factor (and for some it can be), I don't think you can go wrong getting the boat with the 10-foot beam (at least for us).
That said we do not tow the bigger boat to some smaller inland lakes with less than desirable launch ramps that we towed the smaller boat. The bigger boat has only been on the great lakes and does lots more of the bigger distances on its own bottom rather than getting towed over land to get somewhere distant from its garage. So, if your plans include lots of trailering to different places, the narrower beam can change your analysis.

 

[AGLyme]

That is great feedback! We are down by you all the time! Watching the swallows migration in the fall is one of Carolyn's favorite parts of the year.

Any chance we could offer you dinner or something in exchange for a ride?

Happy to give you a ride anytime - however - started the Winterizing process so it will have to be next year. You are welcome to come aboard and see it if you wish to just see an RT in the flesh. I work a lot so my hours are a bit goofy... will be working on it on Saturday removing things and winterizing the motors (Volvo and Generator) and Air Conditioning, etc.