From my point of view, being well past 76 years old, the inboard (diesel or gasoline) poses a kenesthetic challenge. Past injuries from the military, work, and living past my "use by" date makes the contortions required for servicing an engine buried in a bay below the waterline too much of a challenge. I flat out don't trust many mechanics, especially those one is restricted to in far flung, unfamiliar, places. Having made a living as a mechanic in the PC Age (Pre Computer Age), I took serious note of Consumer Reports long term study that revealed the fact that fifty percent of all automotive mechanical issues were directly related to errors made by the last mechanic that serviced a vehicle. I do what maintenance I can manage, and work hard to do preventative maintenance. For instance, hydraulic hoses on my tractors and other equipment are replaced every few years because they have a limited lifespan. I would rather fund that than the down time lost with stranded equipment, towing, and employee lost/wasted time. I was just as assiduous during my sixty-five years of riding motorcycles. Getting that extra mile out of a tire can result in face planting at speed.
As we all know, the outboard is more easily serviced when a trailerable craft is ashore. Heck, I will be storing my future R-27 in a climate controlled structure adjacent to my home, and shop. That way I can address maintenance, repairs, and improvements comfortably. The internet has provided us with a way to find excellent, well proven, mobile mechanics these days. I have a diesel mechanic that visits my shop when a service or repair to one of my trucks or the tractor is required. Because he doesn't have a huge shop to maintain and pay taxes upon, his rates are very reasonable! I have located two outboard mechanics that seem to be in my diesel mechanic's class of competence.
The inverter, hopefully along with a set of LiFePO4, on the outboard tugs can supply most of your power needs, if you are running your outboard, have your solar panel system operating (we plan to upgrade to 400 watts), and perhaps utilize the additional power of a little Honda 2200 watt inverter/generator. Again, our plan is to have one stored, with a pad for use on the swim platform, in the cockpit lazerette. The Ranger Tugs are well designed, and if you use them within the design parameters I don't think you will be disappointed.
As has been pointed out by far more experienced Ranger Tug owners here, the electric grill may not be the best item to utilize while not underway or when lacking shore power. So we plan on adding a propane powered Magma Grill. This will still allow us to keep the odor outside without depleting the batteries. Being old, and planning on warmer clime cruising, that air conditioning falls into the premium category on our wish list.
