Brought my new, 1997 R21 Classic home today

[harry ames]

1800 miles later I've brought my 1997 21 Classic home today. I'll figure out the picture thing soon. but for now, you can see the broker pictures here:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1997/Ra ... fPIrJxBBut

This was one of those instances when I bought from a broker and entirely on their recommendation. They had many pictures. AND, when I got to the Alameda estuary marina and saw the boat, I was even more happy because it looked even better than the pictures. That is unusual. I was expecting to find problems, but the electronics worked, the 800 hour motor ran well, and the prior owners had spent a lot of money on accessories and custom covers and so on. The gel- coat was pristine and the even the bottom paint looked good. I did replace the trailer tires and bearings and the rig rode the 900 miles home easily with no sway or problems and it is a single axle.

Bottom line is I'm now a happy ranger tug 21 classic owner.

It only has the 18 hp YMR engine, but in the bay, it pushed the boat to 6.5 knots at about 2700 rpm. I did get it up to 7 knots, but that took the full 3600 rpm and it was not a "sweet spot" for the engine.

Glad to have a real reason to check in on Tug Nuts

 

[SGIDAVE]

1800 miles later I've brought my 1997 21 Classic home today. I'll figure out the picture thing soon. but for now, you can see the broker pictures here:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1997/Ra ... fPIrJxBBut

This was one of those instances when I bought from a broker and entirely on their recommendation. They had many pictures. AND, when I got to the Alameda estuary marina and saw the boat, I was even more happy because it looked even better than the pictures. That is unusual. I was expecting to find problems, but the electronics worked, the 800 hour motor ran well, and the prior owners had spent a lot of money on accessories and custom covers and so on. The gel- coat was pristine and the even the bottom paint looked good. I did replace the trailer tires and bearings and the rig rode the 900 miles home easily with no sway or problems and it is a single axle.

Bottom line is I'm now a happy ranger tug 21 classic owner.

It only has the 18 hp YMR engine, but in the bay, it pushed the boat to 6.5 knots at about 2700 rpm. I did get it up to 7 knots, but that took the full 3600 rpm and it was not a "sweet spot" for the engine.

Glad to have a real reason to check in on Tug Nuts

Hello Harry,

Congratulations! That looks like a very nice R21.

I look forward to hearing of your upcoming boating adventures...

dave

 

[jld]

Wow, what a clean looking boat! :mrgreen:

Congratulations on your new purchase. Hope she brings you many years of joy!

Jim

 

[Two killicks]

Harry ames,

I am amazed to see how clean this boat is! I did not know that the helm was centered back then!

I am sure that at 5 knots or so, you'll find the sweet spot for the engine. Even on the new 21ec boats, the 5-6 knot range is common for cruising.

 

[rt11002003]

Hi Harry,

Nice looking Classic; the pictures show the best looking R21 I've seen. If it's better in real life, you've done good for yourself.

You shouldn't sweat the max boat speed if the engine is running at max rated rpm. However, it is likely the speed is spot on, these little tugs are not fast. My first R21EC would run 9 knots (barely) in calm water and no wind. In waves and with the wind aft, it would just do a little over 10 knots. A friend with a 32 foot trawler couldn't keep up with me. I usually cruised at 6/7 knots.

My 2014 R21EC with the Volvo engine seems to max out at 9 mph. I haven't figured out how to change my Garmin GPS to knots.

If speed had been an objective, I'd have kept my RF246 Rosborough with twin 115 HP Yamaha's.

Hope you enjoy your tug, they're sweet little boats.