Buying Decisions Help: North Idaho

 
This is a video showing how the gear is rigged on the Stealthweld….In my mind I am trying to visualize a similar setup on the R25. Seems feasible I reckon???
 
The Lithium option was added in 2021 as far as I know. It was optional until the 2025 model year. Yes, on the R-25 and R-27 you can run the A/C with the inverter, but on the larger models with two or more reverse cycle A/C units, you can’t run all of them on the inverter typically. I don’t think you can really easily add the full “Luxury Edition” package to a boat that doesn’t have it. You’d have to add lithium batteries, the reverse cycle A/C, plumb it all, etc. There may not even be the right through hull fittings unless the boat was originally a Luxury Edition boat.

The electric grill is in the cockpit on the R-25 and R-27, so you can keep the bacon smell outdoors.

IMHO, the cockpit view from the captain’s seat is really good on the R-25 and R-27 outboards. If you get the auto pilot, you can, kind of, drive it from the cockpit while running downriggers or planers. You can’t control the throttle that way though, at least not on the boats without the electronic controls on the 2025 and up models. I don’t know if those would add that feature.
 
Jesperjo said:
The Lithium option was added in 2021 as far as I know. It was optional until the 2025 model year. Yes, on the R-25 and R-27 you can run the A/C with the inverter, but on the larger models with two or more reverse cycle A/C units, you can’t run all of them on the inverter typically. I don’t think you can really easily add the full “Luxury Edition” package to a boat that doesn’t have it. You’d have to add lithium batteries, the reverse cycle A/C, plumb it all, etc. There may not even be the right through hull fittings unless the boat was originally a Luxury Edition boat.

The electric grill is in the cockpit on the R-25 and R-27, so you can keep the bacon smell outdoors.

IMHO, the cockpit view from the captain’s seat is really good on the R-25 and R-27 outboards. If you get the auto pilot, you can, kind of, drive it from the cockpit while running downriggers or planers. You can’t control the throttle that way though, at least not on the boats without the electronic controls on the 2025 and up models. I don’t know if those would add that feature.
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Thanks again for responding. Good info that will help guide me to the right decision. Outstanding news on the grill! That will work!
 
Bulljon said:
Thank you for the comprehensive explanation. All of the information is very helpful and I appreciate the time you took to offer your experience.

I am leaning toward the R 25 for many of the reasons that you mentioned. At this point in time it would not be likely that we would spend more than a night or two on board. We live part of the year in Kansas and 5 to 6 months of the year in Idaho where the boat will be stored. One last question, I would really like to have an opportunity to get on board and compare all three models. At one time, one of the boat dealers in the North Idaho area had a couple of range tugs that we looked at. It does not appear that they still carry that line or our simply out of them. Is there anywhere that you can think of that would offer the opportunity to compare all three models in person?
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It looks like the next PNW Show is the Anacortes Boat Show/Trawler Fest, May 14-16th. You might contact Ranger and see what models they will have there to look at.

We transplanted from Kansas to Colorado then to the Northwest 20+ years ago. Be sure to message me if you get a Ranger and make it to any of the Factory Events. They are fun, educational and you will meet some good people who enjoy their boats.

We have had an R27OB for the last 1.5 years, really enjoyed it, and are moving up to a bigger Solara 310SB. Fluid Motion makes this also so we are staying in the "Family"
 
JZimmer - Thanks for the info on Trawler Fest, we attended one several years back over near Port Orchard as I recall. The timing is perfect, I can vector through Seattle on my way back to Kansas. I’ll call to see what Ranger plans to have there. Excellent tip!
 
Jesperjo said:
Gorgeous video. That’s a whole lot of rods! The 25 would be the closest to that kind of open cockpit setup I think.
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Thanks Jesperjo…I enjoy documenting the adventures so I can replay the experiences and share with friends and family. I shot that video with an Iphone and edited / posted the same day. Mind blowing technology we have these days.

I’m thinking you are right the 25 could work out well. Nice to have more room and comfort.

Cheers!
 
I bought my Cutwater from Tobler Marina, in Hayden, and it may have been their last FM boat since I don't see them in the list of available boats any longer. We spent about a day and a half learning about the boat and took it for a run on Hayden Lake. At the time, I noticed that the boat struggled to get on plane and needed nearly WOT. I had the boat delivered to SF Bay and performance was much better once I ran the boat at sea level. Since then, performance is dramatically improved due to changing the SS2s to PowerTech OFS16 props with extension tubes. If I were running my boat in Hayden, at least before the new props, I would be very unhappy with the performance and think that the boat was well under powered. You may have already taken elevation into consideration and I'm not sure what are the power options available for the Rangers under discussion. However, if it's going to be run much at altitude, you'll want to be sure you have ample HP.
 
Rocky Lou said:
I bought my Cutwater from Tobler Marina, in Hayden, and it may have been their last FM boat since I don't see them in the list of available boats any longer. We spent about a day and a half learning about the boat and took it for a run on Hayden Lake. At the time, I noticed that the boat struggled to get on plane and needed nearly WOT. I had the boat delivered to SF Bay and performance was much better once I ran the boat at sea level. Since then, performance is dramatically improved due to changing the SS2s to PowerTech OFS16 props with extension tubes. If I were running my boat in Hayden, at least before the new props, I would be very unhappy with the performance and think that the boat was well under powered. You may have already taken elevation into consideration and I'm not sure what are the power options available for the Rangers under discussion. However, if it's going to be run much at altitude, you'll want to be sure you have ample HP.
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Excellent point, on my current boat we chose to bump up to a Yamaha SHO 200HP from a Standard 150HP for that same reason. Several years ago Toblers had both an R23 and R25 on the lot in Hayden. Like you, I believe they may have parted ways. I’m going to call them tomorrow to verify. I’ll report back. Thanks for the post Rocky Lou
 
In case you haven’t decided yet, @Submariner just posted a new video going over all the differences that they shot at the Seattle Boat Show:
 
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