Are Ranger Tugs really safe....

Not sure why this is not being posted or I can't see it. Maybe it's being mediated? If so please let me know why.
Posted this a couple days ago🙂

I love this discussion and really appreciate the dialog and experience on this forum.

Moral of the story is the obvious, decent weather and keep the wife happy🙂

I should of been more clear with my question as I realize it was a bit to general.

I’m a very cautious and safe person by nature and hence wanting a safe boat for the San Juans and Alaska within being a smart and safe boater to begin with.
I’ve read up on some of the aluminum boats and they seem really tough but lack the creature comforts we’d like.

If my wife is not happy we won’t be buying a boat and that nigates everything else.

Most of my experience is in Southern CA and Mexico. We were the Ford Lehman dealer in Newport Beach many moons ago, as well as CAT, Cummins and Onan.
I was fortunate enough to sea trial a lot of very nice boats, I’d say 85% were Grand Banks of every shape and size. We did new owner deliveries, sea trials for surveys, sea trials to diagnose problems etc…
Beside all the in-slip maintenance. Owners often hired me to travel with them as a tech, I’d supply cruising parts kits and the technical support and I was a diver. It was great going on those trips, I was told to just leave their daughter alone🙂

I once saw a hired professional captains take a new Defever from LA Harbor to Dana Point and never make it. Waiting for the boat with the excited new owners for a sea trial and run down only to learn the “Pro” captain ran it into a reef, on a beautiful, clear warm and calm seas day.
Not a good day. Never got to hear the captains side, all I know was a huge lawsuit and a mess. Boat did get towed in but it was trashed. Water up to the galley. All we could do was pull electronics and pickle the engines and tranny’s.

I had an opportunity to take a Baby Grand to Catalina as a break-in for a customer after installing a new 4 cylinder Lehamn. So we are taking a 5 knot boat basically. I believe they only made two 28’ Grand Banks. Smooth sailing over to the Grand Banks Get together at the Ismis. We were giving a talk on preventative maintenance and giving away parts kits for the 120hp, 6D380 engines we had on display.

We needed to get back for work by Monday so headed out into bad weather on a Sunday. Didn’t even check weather a radio. I was all of 23 at the time and my business parter wasn’t much older. We were pro motocross riders and had the dang ego to match so off we went, what could go wrong?

I never in my wildest dreams could imagine the ocean could get so bad. We had rain, wind and huge swells that swallowed that little boat, seemed half the time we were going backwards, never knew swells could become moutons you had to climb and then the bottom would drop out. Probably one of the scariest times of my life and girl friends were not happy. I learned my lesson that day. Took 10 hours to cross that channel. God was watching out for us, that’s the only explanation. We were pretty good at timing the up and down but I guess most of it dump luck. We were idiots to say the least and put others at risk.

I have no intention of going out in weather more than my vessel can handle, God knows I surely could not handle it either. I just wanted to see what experince some of you have had knowing there are very experienced boaters here. That’s why I asked the question, even though I was a bit vague, sorry.

We plan on chartering an R29 and hiring a captain for 4 days of training and then take other classes as well. The boats today are much improved over what we had in the 80’s and the electronics and systems should help keep you much better informed and out of most trouble. I would like to use our boat year round, so that’s what I meant about fair weather. I’d go out in the cold etc… but not bad seas.

I have no issue staying tied up but its inevitable that at some point in time we’ll get caught in something unexpected. I want to make sure my boat is tougher than me and that’s why I was looking at other types of boats.

I agree with the comments addressed here especially the wife comments. I want her to enjoy this to the fullest.

I have to give props to some of the comments about maybe looking into a surplus submarine or coast guard vessel, all well deserved remarks🙂

I love hearing the stories of what you have all done in your Rangers, good and bad and just wish there was more stories of your adventures online than what I’ve found. I suppose you’re all to busy having fun🙂 Although there are some great blogs out there.

I hope to be making those memories soon and not just be reading about them. I’ll stop asking questions until I get our boat.

Thanks again for all your replies and time, it’s invaluable. Lunch on me one day🙂
 
This is an interesting thread on the question of 'Are Ranger Tugs really safe'? I would add that before considering buying a boat, get very, very clear in your mind what 'your mission' is. Having lived, boated and fished in Alaska for 18 years with mostly small aluminum boats with outboards, I would say they are great in that environment if fishing in the rivers and ocean are your mission. However, this past year my mission was to cruise the Inside Passage and cross the Gulf of Alaska in safety and comfort. I'd also add that I attended and graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and have piloted merchant ships across the globe. After getting clear on my mission, I purchased a 2016 R-27 classic in April in Anacortes. I left Anacortes on 29 May and pulled into Seward, AK on 23 June. A quick trip to allow me to enjoy the summer fishing season around the Kenai Peninsula. This included a weeks downtime in Prince Rupert dealing with a motor mount problem. To make the crossing from Yakatat to Cordova(Gulf of Alaska), I had to carry an extra 60 gallons of diesel in drums on the back deck. On the leg from Elfin Cove, AK to Yakatat, AK in the exposed Gulf of Alaska I found myself running broadside to 8' to 10' long period swells with 4'-5' following wind waves. Not at all comfortable but the boat handled this rough weather exceptionally well. I monitor the weather closely and when necessary due to high wind or waves will happily stay tied or anchored until more suitable conditions present themselves. It was no fun getting thrown around for 13 hours when transiting from Elfin Cove to Yakatat but I felt completely safe and the boat handled it just fine. So, I would summarize that Ranger Tugs are very safe if operated by qualified crew and within the sea conditions that the crew is comfortable operating in.

Bob Allan
Annie M
 
Hi Allanrs🙂

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to get some passionate responses here and it's been good for that, lots of experience on the forum. You are the exact kind of folks I was hoping to hear from. Sounds like you are an very experienced captain from many, many years of being on the water.

The R27 looks like a great boat, especially in the diesel. You obviously have the experience of your waters, I would love to meet some of you one day. You should hold a seminar, I'd sign up🙂

Although my post may of come across a bit cocky that was not my intention. Nor was it to question the quailty of the Ranger Tug brand, I think some folks took it that way. I'm an extrmely safe person by nature. I live in the Eastern Sierra mountains and used to multi-pitch climb a lot. If you don't know what you're doing while climbing, know how to build a property equalized anchor and how to properly use ropes and knots and to protect your partner you won't last long and there is no room for error. I look at boating in the same way and especailly in waters I have no boated in other than with others whale watching etc... all my boating is in SoCal. Mostly as a service tech. I've crawled in more bilges than I care to remember but that was a long time ago. I spent a lot of time on the water but I was basically just a kid having a blast on customer boats🙂
And not in a bad way, we were working.

I had to stop climbing due to a vertigo issue a few years back. I have not been on a boat since and we plan on chartering a Ranger next early season with a hired captain. The vertigo isn't bad very often, I'm not 100% sure how my sea legs will be. Hence why we also like the Aspen. I've been accused here of being a sales rep for Aspen, LOL... maybe I should ask for a job so I can get a discount🙂 We'll be set up late next spring with what we call "base camp" on Friday Harbor. Could easily be 2 seasons before we actually make a purchase. I'm probably on research overload.

I can't find a forum like this for that "other" brand... we are pretty much down to the Ranger, 27 or 29 or the Asp...... There or not many used Aspen's out there but plenty of Rangers, that's probably the direction we would go. And we'd spend a lot of time on getting up to speed, taking classes and learning from others before we venture out of the San Juans. But that is the goal.

I don't fish much anymore, the goal is pure adventure, to see the beauty and nature and all the marine life. I like to take photos, and I'm an oil painter, albeit not a great one. The dream is to capture these areas in photos and on canvas canvas. Of course we'll do so in a safe manner. For some reason the way I phrased this questions I made myself sound reckless.

Nevertheless, the post has been a good discussion and I've learned a lot of about what you guys think of your boats, how you use them and all the experiences so many of you have had.

I'll try to make this my last post, I feel like since I don't own a Ranger yet or any other boat except our lake boat maybe I should not chime in or ask questions until I'm an owner.

Again, really appreciate the responses, the patience and for sharing your adventures, I'd love to hear more, I can't seem to get enough. The guys on the water are the best resource.

Take care,
Kirk
 
Yes they are. I cruised for three weeks on my RT29 in the San Juan's and Gulf Islands. Friends did the Inside Passage in a RT25 with less beam.

I have mine now on Lake Michigan which can get harry.

Read Voyaging Under Power, learn the difference between seaworthiness, seakindliness, and other considerations....

I wouldn't want to spend three months on non-insulated working boat......even if a bit more seaworthy. that is why you monitor the weather and stay at the dock/on the hook and read a good book (Chapman's) on a snarky day...
 
I 've been out over 40 miles on my 29 Ranger in the Altantic ocean off Longport , NJ. Leaving port with very calm seas and staying out for 14 hours with 7 footers on the ride back proved fine. Not comfortable,but the Tug handled quite well going slow and steady. Obviously, I would never venture out into high seas,but conditions change quickly. Going passed the Statue of Liberty can prove challenging in that you are in a "washing machine" getting hit on all sides with the marine traffic.
Go for it before time runs out!
John
 
H28":2x1rd499 said:
Yes they are. I cruised for three weeks on my RT29 in the San Juan's and Gulf Islands. Friends did the Inside Passage in a RT25 with less beam.

I have mine now on Lake Michigan which can get harry.

Read Voyaging Under Power, learn the difference between seaworthiness, seakindliness, and other considerations....

I wouldn't want to spend three months on non-insulated working boat......even if a bit more seaworthy. that is why you monitor the weather and stay at the dock/on the hook and read a good book (Chapman's) on a snarky day...
Click to expand...

I do have that book and it is very good🙂 I haven't heard anyone here say they feel their RT is not safe and there have been a lot of posts here on this subject. I'm so glad I posted it, even though I worded it terribly the info has been outstanding.
I think or hope we are all smart enough to check weather and plan accordingly. But in those cases where you plan your best and still hit some nasty chop, I wanted to know what you all felt.

Thank you and enjoy the ride🙂
 
johnw":1lpb678c said:
I 've been out over 40 miles on my 29 Ranger in the Altantic ocean off Longport , NJ. Leaving port with very calm seas and staying out for 14 hours with 7 footers on the ride back proved fine. Not comfortable,but the Tug handled quite well going slow and steady. Obviously, I would never venture out into high seas,but conditions change quickly. Going passed the Statue of Liberty can prove challenging in that you are in a "washing machine" getting hit on all sides with the marine traffic.
Go for it before time runs out!
John
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply. So great to hear all these stories. I have not heard one person say they don't feel safe on their RT and of course we all try to do our best to not get caught in bad weather but sometimes it comes in fast after you've made the decision to go.

Nice to hear that so many of you have had this experience and although not pleasant you felt safe.

And I like your comment at the end, could not agree more.
Take care,
Kirk
 
I have a CB 31. This summer I was out in 5 to 7 foot seas and the boat handled it extremely well. I started up the command bridge but was getting soaked so I moved inside. With the wipers going it was really a good place to be but I could not pick the best lines as well as I could from up above. As a general rule I think that is probably the upper limit for seas. You will also need at least one crew member who knows what they're doing and can handle things should something shake loose and/or need attention. You need to check everything to make sure it is secure including the little things like the setscrews on the bimini. I would only go out in such seas if you really have to get somewhere or get out of somewhere. It will not be a comfortable ride for your crew. You definitely don't want to break down. You may not have the speed to outrun or be able to power through everything. The best things you have going for you are hull/bow design and a dry cabin and wipers.
Before you go out you really want to be comfortable with what conditions are going to be like when and where you come in. An inlet with a significant following sea etc. is a pretty dangerous place.
So to answer your question, I do think the Ranger Tugs are "hardy" boats for their size. Know what you are doing, have everything secure, have someone else to count on, and don't break down.
 
Hi Tom. Thanks for the reply, that is a great story and good to know. That larger seas than I want to get caught out in if at all possible. I agree with all your recommendations here.

This post has received a lot of great feedback. I really wanted to hear from you guys that are "in the trenches" and that's exactly what we've gotten. It's been super informative I hope not just to me but many others.

Thanks again for you valuable input and experience, hope to see you in the marina some day... apparently I owe a lot of folks a beer or two🙂

Take care and happy holidays,

Kirk
 
We have the R29 Classic and boat the PNW. We also just completed the Great Loop. Despite favourable weather forecasts we had some scary moments. I think your biggest worry on our boats is a good supply of clean underwear. Common sense and a well prepared boat will get you through most circumstances. I feel safer in my boat than I do in my car.

Enjoy, Leon
 
CHECK... clean underwear🙂

Man, I sure wish more people took video and created blogs of their adventures.

Suppose that's why you are out having fun on your adventures and when it gets nasty you are not busting out the video camera🙂 I love these stories though and the good and bad of your experiences... it's not all butterflies and rainbows.

But great to hear that Rangers are solid. We are making our part time move next spring to Friday Harbor which if all goes well will turn into full time. After that, the boat is next. We are probably looking at used, either 27 or 29. Really want a 29 but we'll see what's available in another year. Can't wait🙂

Happy Holidays🙂
 
We sold a twin diesel 36ft Sabre, bought new, as we were not using it much because my wife believes in a 7-day work week. When we did have a long weekend free we often crossed Lake Ontario to Kingston,Ontario and other great Canadian destinations.
Two years later I kind of missed having a boat and bought a new Ranger R23. It's a beautiful boat with the comfort of the Sabre, scaled down. Our dog, a regular on the Sabre, hated the R23 on her first trip because she was pretty much space restricted to the cockpit and the noise of the outboard. Who knew?

But we found out quickly that any sea state of more than 3 ft was one bumpy ride and crossing Lake Ontario at times was so bad at anything over 3 ft max left us making headway of maybe 5 mph and holding on for dear life. I came to the conclusion that the substantial cabin structure on a boat that small raised the CG to the point that the boat will rock and roll in waves over 2 ft. To me the R23 boat would be fine on many inland waters but not the Great Lakes. I would not buy it agains. But at 85 shelling out half a million for something a lot more sea and large-dog worthy seems like tempting the fates.
 
We took our R27-OB from Everett to Glacier Bay and back. 2,600 miles, 55 days, 3 adults and 3 dogs onboard. We had a couple days of bad weather. I was able to capture a lot with the 360 degree camera on the bow of Channel Surfing.

We misjudged weather in Johnstone Strait and were severely punished for it. 2-4 foot solid sea state for several hours. We took a lot of water over the bow, smoked my solar controller from all the water we took into the cockpit as my starboard scupper was clogged with dog hair, allowing it to overflow the starboard lazarette. We arrived in Port McNeill safely 3 hours later than we'd planned.

We also got tossed around in a solid 3 foot sea state with occasion 4 and 5 footers in Clarence Strait, heading south into Ketchikan, AK.

Boat and crew did fine. No panic. No worry. Just frustration in that we could only do 5-12 knots and it was going to take a lot longer to get to our destination. The boat rocked and rolled a lot, as expected.

I've also been in 3-5 foot seats between Elliott Bay and Des Moines (Puget Sound). 2 hours of my life I'll never get back doing 5 knots to go 10 miles. Then we couldn't even get into the marina the waves were too bad. We ended up anchoring for the night across the channel in protected water until morning.

I wouldn't intentionally go out into a 3 foot sea state. What if the forecast was wrong and it turned into 6 footers? I'm a recreational boater. This is supposed to be fun. But if I venture out into a predicted 1 foot sea state and it turns into 3 or 4 footers, I'm safe.

FYI: I served 8 years in the US Navy on submarines. I've seen 45 degree rolls pulling into Panama (the canal) as we surfaced. I've seen 10 degree rolls 450 feet under water (I couldn't even imagine the sea state on the surface with 10 degree rolls that deep under water). Subs are round bottom boats, not really designed to cut into the waves like a surface ship is designed. Bad seas are never fun no matter how big the boat.

Mastering the Waves: The Ranger Tug's Superior Handling in Adverse Conditions
https://youtu.be/g8lDqd6HvFI

Misjudged weather and was punished for it | Ranger Tug R27ob
https://youtu.be/FXfiLxqndk4

Epic Journey to Alaska: Day 3! What Happens at Seymour Narrows & Johnstone Strait?
https://youtu.be/ThcKLiyTwMY

On our way to Alaska this is in Johnstone Strait
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k376f-vmxEQ

Annie Time in Johnstown strait
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Aw-6nhh1S3o
 
SarahD,
Everything in boat design is a compromise or trade off.
Narrow 8’6” beam is less stable than 10’ or 12’ beam.
Outboards have higher CG than same sized inboard diesel making them generally less stable in rough seas.
Command Bridges raise the CG as well and contribute to challenging handling compared to Sedans in strong cross winds.
Flat planing hulls designed for high speed arguably less stable than displacement hulls even at displacement speeds.

In my opinion you picked a boat not optimized for rough conditions based on the design factors mentioned above. That said the RT and Cutwaters are really strong boats. Just finished $800 in repairs/parts replacements on our C-28 that hit one hour of unforcasted rough seas (4 ft: 5 seconds) in the Malaspina Straight earlier in the season. There was nowhere to hide. I don’t ever want to do that again but structurally the C-28 did just fine. It’s amazing how much the hull can flex fore and aft!
 
Buy a Nordhavn or maybe a Fleming if you want an all weather boat.
 
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