21vs 21ec

[cowdoc87]

Hi everyone. I'm on a search for a used tug to break into the summer cruising scene with hopes of some day moving up to a full-amenities- 25 to travel on,and have found that at current listings, there's about a 15 grand difference in the 21 and the 21ec.
Any opinions on "value" of the difference in price? Thanks!

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Cowdoc,

I've had my 21EC since August. I love the boat.

I've not searched the market for used boats for several months...my guess is that MUCH of what you are seeing in price difference is simply AGE of the boat. The 15-20 year old R21s are in the low $20Ks. The newer style (R21-EC) started circa 2006-7. So, the OLDEST 21EC is maybe 8 years old at most. My recollection is that a BRAND NEW 21EC will set you back $65K+. From there, used values drop, as expected, but seem to plateau in the mid $35K range allowing for variation in condition and options.

I'm told the changes in the hull are significant in that the 21EC will cruise a little faster than the classic R21. The 21EC cabin is a few inches wider and 18" longer. Even so, it's still a COZY cabin.

Good luck with your search. This forum's For Sale listing is a good place to watch.

/david

 

[ron cowan]

Having owned the last 21' built before the 21EC I shall share one man's opinion. It is correct the cabin is 18 in. longer which did open it up for more amenities. If planning to over-night on the boat these items make it more of a cruising boat. I used a cooler and other needs that were placed in the cockpit. Any way you look at it the cabin is small trying to stay out many nights. Either is great as a day picnic boat. Don't think there was a change in the v-berth area and it was fine once you settled down for the night. I feel either would have been tight getting ready to settle down. The larger cockpit in the 21 was good for me because we only used the cabin to pilot from and to sleep in. It is true the stern part of the hull was flattened out to provide lift and gain a slght increase in speed. It is questionable how much this moved it from a full displacement hull and probably only added 2 knots or so. When you are moving at 6 to 7 knots it does not change your feeling of getting along when increasing to 9 knots. I found that running at 5.5 knots I was burning about .5 or less gal/hr and when pushing to 7 knots I was burning over 1.5 gal/hr. This increase in speed did not make sense to me. Advertised at 10 knots the 21EC would have to be pushing hard at a high fuel burn. 1.5 to 2 gal/hr is not high but why do it when you can burn .5. To me all of this says you can not beat either as a cool day cruising boat but neither are a great boat for several days out. To this I feel an introduction to tug cruising I would go with the 21' and save the $15000 to go toward the 25' as you move up. Your real intention of how the boat will be used should set what to buy. If this intention is several day cruising, try to swing a 25' now. I did not know my intention when I purchased, but loved going out and could not afford a 25' then (they were all new). I then moved to a used 22' C-Dory and loved it. As I have found my staying out boating requires more I haved moved to a Rosborough. I still love Ranger Tugs but my age and ability to work in small spaces makes the outboard easier. A lot of rambling but have been where you are and hope the thoughts shed a little light. Good luck and you can't go wrong either way. Happy cruising

 

[cowdoc87]

Thanks so much for your help! I'll post some pics when I pull the trigger. I've got the cdory and rossi on the short list also. Its painful . I want one of each!

 

[ron cowan]

I sent you a PM. We live near each other. Did not notice your address on first post.
Ron

 

[cowdoc87]

Happy to say that my wife and I are the new owners of an R25,and we can't wait to see you all on the water! Mark at Wefings was a super guy to deal with and would highly reccomend him for anybody looking for a Ranger,CDory,Rossi, or several other lines.And don't forget to pig out on oysters while you're there.We even had them in omelets for breakfast! Now back to work to pay for having so much fun!

 

[SGIDAVE]

Happy to say that my wife and I are the new owners of an R25,and we can't wait to see you all on the water! Mark at Wefings was a super guy to deal with and would highly reccomend him for anybody looking for a Ranger,CDory,Rossi, or several other lines.And don't forget to pig out on oysters while you're there.We even had them in omelets for breakfast! Now back to work to pay for having so much fun!

Hello Cowdoc87,

Congratulations on your R25!! You will have a ball with that boat.

And I agree Wefings is the place to go for a boat. I've owned 3 factory build boats and ALL where purchased from Marc Grove at Wefings. And you can't beat the Apalachicola BAy oyster, very tastie!!

/david

 

[RProffer]

The main difference between the R21 classic and the R21-EC is the EC has a larger engine and goes a little faster, has built-in facilities (stove, sink, water, toilet, heater, and refer) and two seats in the cabin. If you do not need these items, then you have your answer - go for the classic. If you do need these items and are willing to settle for a Coleman camp stove, an ice chest, a porta-pottie, and a water jug, then go for the classic. If you need these items and want the convenience of built-in facilities, then go for the EC. Another thing, if you plan to go on trips or rendezvous' and travel 50-60 miles, then you may not want to stand at the helm for 8-10 hours at a time - then you would want a EC where you and your mate can sit in the cabin. Having benches/chairs in the cabin are also nice when the weather turns nasty and you want to be in the cabin to get away from the rain/waves in the cockpit. So, there you have it. Owning a boat is all about deciding what you want, what you can afford, and what you can live with. (When I say "you", I am talking about you and your mate). Have fun deciding.