August Photo Contest

[Brian Dickhaut]

Hi all,

With the summer in full swing, I hope you all have been out enjoying the time on the water. With cruising in mind, this month's theme is "Gear Check" - Show us your favorite cruising gear! It can be your magma grill with a delicious steak sizzling, your favorite cooler, SUP's or bike mounted on your sport racks, down riggers, roof top storage, and more. We want to hear about the gear that you love to use and cruise with.

Please send your photos to briandickhaut@rangertugs.com

We'll be taking submissions until Monday August 31st 2020 at 11:59pm PDT.

If you're not familiar with our Tugnuts Monthly Photo Contest, every month we give away a pair of custom embroidered Ranger Tugs or Cutwater Boats jackets! Each month has a new theme and entry in the contest is simple, just email your photo and a description or comment to briandickhaut@rangertugs.com and at the end of the month we'll hold a vote here at the factory to select the winner. If you win, we'll announce it here on Tugnuts and send you an email to arrange delivery of your free jackets.


To get us started, here's a shot sent in from Bob G. on board MV Sweet Love

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Dan H.

"My favor gear our Cutwater 32, So Damn Lucky, has to be the downriggers paired with rod and knucklebuster reels. Show here fishing the early morning bite in the San Juans off Pt Lawrence."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Nick and Janine M.

"Our folding electric bikes are some of our favorite gear on board Europa."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Bob D.

"Cockpit helm station on a R-21 EC,
A must for retrieving those crab pots solo!
Is the best modification that I’ve made and would not own a fishing boat with out one!"

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Brett & Jasa D. (winners of a previous TN photo contest!)

"Hi Brian,

We don't need another pair of jackets, but I thought I could provide some content for the photo contest. My favorite gear isn't in the picture, it's taking the picture, my DJI Spark drone. Almost put it in the drink trying to land it after taking this picture!"

 

[macnmm]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Dan and Lois C. on MV North Star

"Our favorite gear for boating? What I like to call our escape or adventure pods! We do so much exploring of our cruising destinations with both our dinghy and inflatable kayak. They give us exercise, too. I could add one more important item that doesn’t need a photo, a camera to record everything, and that is most often simply a cell phone! Happy cruising, such a great way to distance in this pandemic summer."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Albert T.

'Here we are at Ladysmith, Vancouver Island in the middle of a great two week cruise two summers ago. There’s not one single piece of gear that makes our boat great for extended cruising. My favorites are the RIB dinghy, Yakima cargo box, Magma grill, Yeti cooler, owner installed solar panel, stern tie reel, Bimini side sun shades and led night fish light. Sent from anchor at Hunter Bay, Lopez Island on an 17 day cruise."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

Another from Albert T

"Our pot of gold! Taken 8/20/2020 at the Friday Harbor guest dock."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Mike and Sarah D.

"Our Ranger tug is a great platform for sportsmen like us. We crab, shrimp and fish from our R27. Most important gear is fishing rods and down riggers. So fun to put dinner on the table."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Karll R.

"My main asset is my first mate. Also like my additions to the galley. I made a cutting board top for the stove top to add more counter space and we purchased a three tier shelf for our plates with a non skid surface."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Brian C.

"We never cruise without our kayaks and dog bed!"

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Tyson L.

Top Left Pics-Gear: ZupBoard for the kids. Who says you can’t wakeboard behind a C-26? Whites Island Long Beach, CA

Top Right Pics-Gear: SeaDek for the comfort and looks. One of the best upgrades so far. Consider it permanent gear.

Bottom Pics-Gear: The Pico Chair. Always stowed somewhere for the times you need a full size chair in a pico-package. "

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Gini L.

"I just finished an 11-day cruise on the lower Columbia on my Ranger Tug 31, accompanied with over a dozen other power/sail boats. We explored the back channels and sloughs between Cathlamet and Astoria, anchoring out most nights. Everyone brought their favorite water and exploration toys, and we had a blast. I had several of my favorite items of cruising gear - dinghy with stealthy-quiet Torqeedo motor, my hand-built wooden kayak, a SUP, and my drone. The first photo is taken by drone and shows the other gear.

Several other photos (more than you will want and can use!) are included to better capture the full experience of it all. The quiet of the anchorage around sunset, the joy of cruising on the Ranger Tug, peaceful kayaking, several shots of dinghy flotillas and explorations, and (finally) the kind of shot you can only get when you take advantage of the kayaks/dinghies/other water toys you bring with you for exploration.

My thanks to all of you at Ranger Tugs who build and support these boats so that we get experiences like these!

- Gini L.

(several photos courtesy of fellow boater and professional photographer Steve Cridland)"

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

Paul M.

"Our favorite cruising gear is our poodle Madeline, suitably equipped with PFD, and she works for halibut. She occasionally invites her cousin Chole, a Golden Doodle. Great
hypoallergenic dogs who don’t shed…perfect for keeping the decks clean."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

From Jeremy D.

"One of our favorite pieces of gear is our Magma Cabo grill. The grill is always a focal point for entertaining. Who doesn’t like the sound or smell of a steak or the catch of the day sizzling on the grill. Anyone walking by always asks, what’s for dinner, as they admire Pura Vida, a classic R-27.

Pictured here is Pura Vida and our grill at Tillicum Village on Blake Island this last weekend. "

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

We had one last entry at the last minute from Kent and Wendy M., looks like they've been having fun in the San Juans. The strap lift in Anacortes really makes launching a breeze.

From Kent and Wendy M.

"San Juans, Washington 2020."

 

[Brian Dickhaut]

We have a winner!

Jeremy D. on MV Pura Vida,

Thank you to everyone who entered, the competition was steep this month! Everyone here at the factory really enjoyed checking out the gear that our Ranger & Cutwater Family has been putting to good use out there. Thank you again and I hope to see you all in our September photo contest thread. Cheers!