Caribbean and Pacific Cruising

K

Kanau

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2014
Messages
7
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Hi All,

We are in the process of planning where we would like to go when we retire in a few years with the R-31 we plan on purchasing (possibly the R-29) . Two of many places we would like to cruise is the Caribbean islands from Florida to Trinidad and another is to go to Vancouver area via Panama canal and the Pacific coast from Florida. I have read on other web sites that a 31 foot cruiser would not be large enough for these waters and best to do it in a sail boat or large cruiser, other comments are that tug style boats are okay. So I pose the question to my fellow Tugnut members from their experiences and knowledge, can these cruises be done on a R-31 or R-29 or any other Ranger Tug. On another note would we be wise to cruise the Caribbean singly for security reasons, have read that areas are not the safest.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide,
Barry & Sarah
 
My opinion: these boats are built for the northwest so cruising the Pacific is no problem. Cannot comment on the Caribbean.
I have cruised the Cal coast several times in rough water and my 29 did quite well.
In fact my 2013 29 is for sale because I don't use it enough. 56 hours on the D4 Volvo. Sad but true. Too many other adventures. My 29 is excellent and practicality new. Good luck with your inquires.
Kent
 
Doing all that in a RangerTug can be done. I own a 31 in Anchorage AK. Some people actually come up from WA to Whittier or Juneau but it's not easy and probably not that fun.

For a live aboard and more open water I personally would want a boat with more beam.

John
 
We are new to this too, so I am interested in all replies. So far enjoying the few places we have gone in around Vancouver. I want to hear more about cruising south of Seattle, Portland and into California. Love our R29.
 
We were sail boat live-aboards for 5 yrs, spending most of our time in the Bahamas and Caribbean, including Belize, Guatemala, BVIs, Dom Rep, etc. We now have an R29 situated on the southeast coast. Although we plan to venture to the Bahamas, and many other Ranger Tugs have made that trip (the Bahamas is just 50 miles from FL), I believe a Caribbean trip is out of reach. First, there are often great distances between islands, often requiring 3 days and 3 night passages (at least by sail). Fuel would be an issue. Further, you'd encounter occasional and inevitable rough seas. A sail boat, with its deep, heavy keel, is much better suited for such passages. We take short ocean trips in our R29 (e.g. 30 miles between inlets). The R29 does fine on most days, but I'd be wary of traveling overnight, not really knowing what to expect over the next 24 to 48 hrs. So I say, no way, to a Caribbean dream - Trinidad is at the southern edge of the Caribbean and is an exhaustive trip. But as far as the Bahamas - absolutely. Bear in mind, there are 700 Bahamian islands (though many just a rock in the water), and there is lots and lots to explore there. We know many people who have spent many successive years on their boat, solely in the Bahamas. Fuel and safe harbors are readily available, and traveling between major island groups is easily done in a day. You can find an isolated island, where you're the only boat, or go to the group hot spots, which are teeming with boats.

Dante
 
From my perspective, it is less about the size of the boat (although size does matter), and more about the design of the boat. A Ranger 29 is a great boat, but it isn't the boat for going to the Caribbean or through the Panama Canal and up to Vancouver. Slogging up the West Coast is a tough stretch of water - I would want something with a deep, heavy keel that would be self-righting. The distances between fuel stops is an issue. There are long stretches with no place to tuck in along the Pacific Coast.

It is nice to dream about "heading over the horizon," but important to choose the right boat for the mission. Pacific Northwest cruising, where open water distances are not great, and fuel is available - the Ranger is a good match. Cruising around Florida and over to the Bahamas - another great match. Doing the Great Loop - perfect match.

Rangers are great boats, but they aren't the right boat for every mission.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
In my opinion I think Jim B is spot on. I love my R27 and would and have been in the PNW, Lake Michigan, the Florida coast and the boat has performed remarkably well. I would also have no problem venturing over to the Abacos in the proper wind and weather condition however I would think a cruise up or down the California/Portland coast would be better accomplished in a more appropriate boat then an R27 as described by Jim B, Dante and John.

Jim
 
Thank you everyone for the replies and information. Although they would both be interesting and fun cruises to do, we do have to live within the capability of the boat and hence our question. If we cannot do those cruises I do not think that we will be lacking in places that we could go and enjoy. Just doing the loop, exploring all of the Great Lakes and Florida and everything in between will be fun, and anything else will be a bonus.

Thanks again for the info.
Barry & Sarah
 
Kanau":3yhvpeiz said:
Thank you everyone for the replies and information. Although they would both be interesting and fun cruises to do, we do have to live within the capability of the boat and hence our question. If we cannot do those cruises I do not think that we will be lacking in places that we could go and enjoy. Just doing the loop, exploring all of the Great Lakes and Florida and everything in between will be fun, and anything else will be a bonus.

Thanks again for the info.
Barry & Sarah
Click to expand...

The Great Loop, all of the Great Lakes, and Florida... that should keep you busy for at least a decade. 😎 No, I am not being a smart alec about that time frame. When we were on the Erie Canal with our boat, we met a couple who were "doing the loop" on their 65' yacht. It had taken them 2 years to get from Houston to upstate NY (via the ICW and a side trip to the Bahamas)... and they were just fine with that timing. He asked how long it took for us to get there from south Texas with our boat... 7 days; on the trailer. I could see the wheels turning as I described the many places we had been with our boat... "I never thought about trailering," he said.

A trailer gives you the option of getting to the good places at the good times. Beyond that, it gives you the option of doing all the great places between the good places that you just can't get to by a boat that is strictly in the water. 😉

Options. A Ranger 29 would give you plenty of options... more than you could cover in a lifetime. Better get started. 😀

Jim B.
 
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