A great shakedown cruise....and thank you

[Pete]

My wife and i have just returned to the midwest after 12 days of getting acquainted with our new 27, "Stella B". The factory delivered it to Des Moines marina on schedule, so that we were able to drive from the airport, watch it being dropped (carefully) in the water and then move on board.
All the gear we had shipped was there, thanks to Kenny and he did a great job of orientation. Then we had two enjoyable days with Capt. Mac. Even after many years of boating you can always learn from an expert and I must say the 27's small rudder makes handling a little different from my previous boats, so Mac's guidance in that area was particularly helpful. In return Mac may have learned something since, after 2 days on a 2013 model 27, he was seriously contemplating trading up from his 25.
Then it was off for our first NW cruise. Thank you, Bruce, Karma and Baz for your local knowledge and thanks to all you Tugnut contributors for the wealth of information you provide for those of us new to Ranger Tugs.
The weather was splendid and the early morning fog just added interest. Except, that is, for the day we contemplated crossing the Strait to the San Juans, when the combination of particularly bad visibility and sizable waves persuaded us to change our plans. We'll save the islands for another cruise (Maybe some entrepreneur will start chartering Rangers. I've already got several of my sailing buddies raring to go.)
Over 12 days and 200 miles Stella B performed perfectly. She should arrive here in MI in the next week or so, then it's into winter storage until next summer's adventures on Lake Michigan, the North Channel and Georgian Bay.
Pete

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Pete:

It sounds like you've had a great new RT orientation experience. Welcome aboard this great band of boating owners. Lisa and I look forward to meeting up with you two next summer in and around Grand Traverse Bay cruising on our Ranger Tugs.

Jim F

 

[Don and Brenda]

Sounds like a great trip, can hardly wait for our first cruise on our new to us 27. Congrats on your purchase and shakedown cruise.

Don

 

[CaptMac]

Glad that you enjoyed the Pacific Northwest and that your shakedown cruise was successful. Please don't tell anyone else about the weather you encountered. It is always like that, but we have an image to maintain.

Pete is also correct about both of us learning new things. After years of enjoying rides on everyone else's new boat - I was finally convinced it was time for an upgrade. Linda & I have decided to trade in Island Ranger, and will take delivery of a 2013 R-27. It will be hard to say goodbye to Island Ranger - we've had wonderful experiences. But now we are having trouble waiting, our new R 27 will be named Passage Weaver and we've already pencilled in passages to the Sea of Cortez, and back up the Inside Passage. Can't wait!

Accordingly, I've changed my TugNut log in from Island Ranger to CaptMac

Mac & Linda
Passage Weaver

 

[Don and Brenda]

A very big congrats on the new boat Mac, that was Jeff teasing you with all the new boats you get to sea trial, knowing one day you would have to break down and get a new boat.

 

[baz]

Pete & Sandra:

So pleased you enjoyed your time on/in the PNW waters with your new R-27 "Stella B".

You did luck out with the weather, which BTW is still lasting until maybe later this week. Shame about the aborted run over to the Islands... but weather and due diligence do control our lives on the water and suspect your decision was correct in steering elsewhere.

It was very comforting to read that the new R-27 gave you no reason to doubt its reliability during its first 200 miles.

Capt. Mac (and Linda) are to be congratulated on providing many of us with their 2-day orientation for new Tugnuts, and it does not surprise me they've made the decision to upgrade to the new 2013 R-27 as it's a great improvement over the classic R-25 model in many ways. As for me, seeing Pete and Sandra's impressive looking 2013 R-27 at Edmonds a few weeks back has caused me to invite Jeff to Edmonds to look over our R-25 with a view to upgrade to the 2013 R-27 as well... so long as RT resolves that pump out port location... 😉 :roll: It's time to sharpen the pencil... :lol:

 

[Bruce Moore]

Hi Pete and Sandra - sorry we didn't get a chance to cross wakes when you were exploring our home waters. We're heading to the UP in early December to celebrate an early Christmas with Vicki's family. I expect Muskallonge Lake will be freezing over and ice banks will be forming on the shore of Superior. Enjoy your next season on Stella B.

Cheers,

Bruce