Another Dreamer

[Portugeezer]

Greetings TugNuts!

Periodically, another dreamer comes along with a few words for this forum and I am such a one. For several years I have been studying the potential of a cruising life when I could enjoy more than just a two-week summer vacation. Naturally, I yearned for a 40’ yacht. This pursuit involved countless hours of reading, web surfing, cruising marinas and taking courses in navigation, radio and boat handling. It has been an involving hobby (some might say obsession). As a consequence, I now suffer from dreams of rabbits coming out of holes and running around trees. It’s very bizarre!

The realization that my projected boat would keep me and the bride broke took the wind out of my sails. Then I read in Pacific Yachting Magazine (Feb. ‘05) about three Americans that convoyed up to Alaska in their Ranger 21s. Since reading that article, the idea of a trailerable, weekend cruiser has taken on greater appeal. Just over a year ago, my neighbours purchased a new R-21 EC and I have had to pass by that beauty every day that I leave my house. Each time I go by it, I catch teasing glimpses of the “Red Current” on its trailer: its saucy unibrow over the windows; its shiny chrome; that gleaming red colour. (By the way, is it weird to have a photo of an R-21 as the desktop wallpaper?)

Recognizing that it is a sin to covet thy neighbour’s boat, I resolved to instead covet one of my own. I perused the Internet for anything “Ranger Tug” and eventually landed on this site. It seems to be a site that might attract people who would have sympathy for someone with my condition. I have prowled as an unregistered guest, picking up the nuggets of wisdom that you all leave here. I couldn’t stand not knowing what “PM” stood for, so I registered. Having thus wetted my feet, why not initiate a chat too, I thought?

Well, Nutters, I am aiming for an R-21 EC of my own one day. Ideally it will have low hours and the bow thruster option since my boating skills are quite modest (heck, all of my skills are modest). There are, however, some obstacles to overcome and only the passage of time will determine whether these are surmountable and I can show my “face” here again. Firstly, I must admit that the first mate has reservations. Clearly, that is worthy of consideration and a very soft approach. Secondly, since the time my neighbours bought their boat, the CAD has lost 20% of its môjo vis-à-vis the USD. Given that virtually all the Tugs are in the USA, this poses a problem, though I may be a mere 2 miles north of the 49th (White Rock, BC). It’s gonna hurt financially! This location is ideally placed with the Sun Juans to the south, the Gulf Islands to the west and the Broughtons to the north. Oh yeah…and all those navigable rivers and lakes that one can trailer to! It seems such a waste not to try and make it work.

Anyway, retirement is imminent, and I am quickly approaching that moment when a choice needs to be made. That is why I was motivated to create this posting. I thought that my comments would surely resonate with others who visit this site, both the dreamers and the fulfilled. In my fantasy, I will meet some of you in the future. No doubt some are thinking: “Hmph . . . just another dreamer.” Well that may turn out to be the case, but realize that meantime I am living vicariously through the words and photos posted by you all. Keep up your contributions. You’ve walked in my shoes, so you know!

John (the Portugeezer)

 

[captd]

John,
I would give you a thumbs up, but we don't have that luxury. Soooooooo.... 😉
good luck, you will love it. This and the C-brats site house some great people.
captd

 

[Sam Walker]

Hi John, first, welcome to the site. Second, I fear that you have acquired the disease. No, not the H1N1, also known as the Hini Flu, this is worse. It is Ranger Tugitis. Like other strains of this disease, multiple motorcycleitis, and RVitis, there is no known cure. You can only hope to manage it. Good luck w/ that. By the sound of your post, you have it baaaaaaaaad. I am right there with you, brother. I have been jonesing over a C-Dory since early 2003 and a Ranger Tug since about 2006. I have not managed to be able to get to either yet. My Porta-Bote just does not quite make it. Maybe some day. Now where is my motorcycle? I need a fix of something..............

 

[Portugeezer]

Greetings Tug Nutters,

Woke up from the dream yesterday as I confirmed by telephone that my offer to purchase a 2008 R21-EC was accepted. I will be leaving for SD toward end of Sept. to pick up my joy toy. Now I can show my face on the TugNut site and the First Mate and I look forward to meeting this community. I am blessed that the Red Current resides at the end of my block and its owners, Bruce and Debby, are very informative and generous with advice. Thanks to you who read my post and especially those who answered with encouraging words. I will be posting again when a name has been decided upon for the new baby :lol: .

John

 

[Texas Steve]

Congratulations, John!

I wish I could tell you that you'll be instantly cured when you hook up your new boat and head for home, but, at least in my case, the dreams just get bigger and bigger. I long for the freedom to be able to take even a two week trip with Slow 'n Easy. For now I have to be content with weekend outings close to home, but the dreams of The Keys and The Bahamas haunt me constantly. In addition, there's the dream that an R29 is almost within reach. Alas, there is no cure.

Texas Steve

 

[Stella Maris]

John,
Congratulations on your purchase!

Just a thought for you and your mate, why not come down to Bremerton on the weekend of September 11-13 for the first annual PNW Ranger Tug Rendezvous.

There will be folks there from all over as well as factory owner and designer John and David Livingston. Jeff Messmer the VP of sales will also be there along with numerous other folks from Ranger Tugs. To go along with these folks will be representatives from a host of the manufacturers of all of the goodies that go onto these little beauties.

In the event that you should decide to make this trek, there is a Hampton Inn right at the marine where you could stay. We are planning a cruise up to Poulsbo on Saturday and I am sure that one of the "Tug Nutters" would be willing to allow you to tag along. What a great chance to meet the people that build such an great vessel as well as see what the rest of us have done with ours.

 

[brhodes]

Dear John(not that type of Dear John)

This is the owner of that "coveted neighbors boat" the Red Current all the way down at the end of the street checking in to
offer you a heartfelt cyber slap on the back re your impending purchase/love affair.
Alas, I must confirm that there is no cure for this illness but the more time you spend on this little charmer, the easier it is to keep twofootitis at bay.
Also as I discovered this summer, there is the delightful reverse snob appeal of being the smallest and most talked about
boat at a remote dock. There is also the less appealing version where the wealthy matron teeters down the dock off of her 60' plastic layer cake gushing "Oh dawling, isn't that just the cutest little thang", like your boat is a cute little puppy she
wants to adopt. That being said, I'm very happy there will be another little tug bookending our street. The more the merrier! Its too bad we can't cruise down to Bremerton this next weekend together as founding members of the B.C.E.C.
club, as I just found out about it and and you don't have your boat yet! Maybe next year. Best of luck.

Cheers, B.C. Bruce

 

[Portugeezer]

Well I did take Solitude up on their suggestion and attended the Bremerton Marina on the weekend. The event was above and beyond all my expectations. I got several invites to go on the cruise. My thanks to John of the Red Ranger for being a darn good mentor on Saturday. By the way, all the folks I met were exceptionally well-behaved. I suspect that none of them drink, which made me feel a wee bit of a misfit. In every other respect they seem quite normal and made me feel like one of the gang, even if I didn't have a boat! When I was asked to write my vessel name on my name tag I settled for "TBA". The crew of the Solitude were untiring in their efforts to make this event a success. Good work, you two! I learned a lot at this rendezvous and made good progress toward my learning goals.

I'm off to South Dakota on Sep 23 to pick up "TBA". I will post here when that little jaunt has been successfully completed.

 

[Levitation]

I don't have alcohol on board... No need or reason for it...

denny-o

 

[rt11002003]

antifreeze???????????????? 😉

Gene

 

[Bruce Moore]

It was great to meet you, John. We were all in the right place at the right time. Have a safe trip to SD and back. We look forward to hearing about your early experiences. Cheers.

 

[johnniethek]

It was great meeting you and spending time with you, John. I'm always happy to help others learn about Ranger tugs -- or have them teach me about them!!!

Don't forget to send us a pix of your new boat!

Cheers,

JohnnietheK
Red Ranger

 

[Portugeezer]

Greetings again,

I wish that I could tell you all that my trip to South Dakota was a breeze...so I will! I had a really good one.

Weather was record-setting high temperatures; the scenery was spectacular as I left the thick foliage and mountains for the wide open spaces. A song kept repeating itself in my head: Ghost Riders in the Sky. Arriving in Sioux Falls, I met the owners and got a little choked when I saw my boat. If it is possible for an inanimate object to show emotion, TBA seemed glad that I had finally arrived to adopt it. With apologies to Monty Python, she was "pining for the fjords". The owners, gracious and helpful people, showed me the boat and it's systems. The checkout was a formality as the boat is in new condition at 60 hours. Not a scratch!

Being brain-dead from the trip, I opted to return the boat next day to ensure that I was ready to start the long trip back. I set off a bit anxious but the boat rode very well behind my truck. Very stable, even in the winds I encountered on the I-90 stretch of Wyoming. I also encountered dead antelope nearly as frequent as mile markers. We put a good dent in the bug population of western America, and I am sure that the horns will have to cough before they blast out a greeting to Georgia Straight. That objective is tentatively planned for Oct. 3.

At each rest stop a small crowd gathered around to ask about the boat and offer admiring comments. One wag wanted to know what I had done with Popeye. Meanwhile, another song was running through my head: Six Days on the Road (and I'm gonna see my baby tonight). Well, if that singing trucker was in a like state as me, I sure hope he took a shower before meeting his sweetheart! Finally TBA and I reached the coast and were met by (wait for it) rain! Still, we pressed on and drove the final hours before reaching home on the sixth day.

The Canadian border crossing went smoothly as I had all the necessary documentation and there are a lot of vessels making their way northward these days. The border agent called TBA "cute"! I didn't want any trouble, so I let it slide. In fact, everyone calls it cute except for real mariners who refer to it as "a fine looking vessel". And indeed she is. Now, for an appropriate name...hmmm... thinking...thinking....

On the seventh day I rested... and posted a few photos of the trip, however, driving on an interstate is not conducive to taking good photos. Please understand.

Best regards to all,

John

 

[RDragon]

John,

Welcome Home and to the family! Glad you made it safe! Can't wait to see you with your new friend at the next get together.

Drew

 

[Portugeezer]

Sunday, Oct 4, I made my first launching with the assistance of fellow R21 owner Bruce Rhodes (Red Current) who owns a Swiss Army knife. More about that later. It was a beautiful day for an outing. We motored out uneventfully to our lunch stop at the White Rock pier where several members of my family joined us to bless the Port Nut. Yes, that is what I am calling it because it has a bit of a nautical ring to it and also strums the strings of my Portuguese heritage. And yes, I do like port wine. Lots, in fact. The sad truth, however, is that the name is a reflection on a very delicate anatomical part which I had to sacrifice in order to be a Ranger Tug owner. Gone forever are the days when I could say to my wife that we could not afford a certain thing because it was too expensive. Such a bargaining position has been reduced by, well, 50%! The starboard side is now a very timid negotiator too. :lol:

But about the troubles: after the lunch stop, we reversed at idle and engaged the bow thruster to impress the crowd. I then shifted forward and idled out of the dock area. When I went to accelerate, the control would not move past the detente. It was jammed somehow, although it moves back into neutral and reverse. In reverse, it will not move past the detente again. We limped back and now I am wondering if anyone has met a similar obstacle and what I can do. I suspect the control cable malfunctioned inside the control housing, but could it be a broken cable? The engine side seems OK and Bruce was able to give us a few more RPMs by inserting his knife and pushing the throttle 1/4 inch by compressing the little brass spring there. I was bummed out by this, but Bruce assured me that we could not have motored at full speed in that chop, anyway. His glass was half-full.

John

 

[Portugeezer]

Addendum

I found the trouble to be that the throttle cable had nudged up against the exhaust and was severely damaged by the heat and vibration. There was only one cable hanger on the battery bulkhead which allowed the cable to migrate and this should be remedied if you are an R21 owner.

John