Doing The Loop

H

Hackercraft

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Thinking alot about doing The Loop--I would have to buy a boat for the trip. I like the Ranger 29, although I wonder if I'd be missing a flybridge--Anybody done the loop in a Ranger? Ever get claustrophobic ?
 
If they don't see your post, you should contact John and Laurie Gray - j&lgray - they did 1600 miles of the loop in their R25, Laurie Ann. Sounds like they had a blast. They've talked about it a bit on this forum.

We haven't done the loop, and our R25 is our first boat, so we don't have any experience with a flybridge. That said, it is not the least bit claustrophobic. Plenty of windows and hatches provide an abundance of air and light, and the cabin doesn't feel at all space constrained.

The R29 is significantly more spacious, and with the head moved forward and below in the master berth, the starboard aft corner is open giving you an expansive 360 degree view. Go for it!

Cheers
 
Though the Laurie Ann has done one segment of The Loop, 1,600 miles up the Tennessee River and down the Tenn-Tom Waterway to Mobile Bay, Alabama, the Pookie 2 is a Ranger 25 that has done the entire loop. They are Boatox in the member roster of Tugnuts and I highly recommend communicating with them directly, probably through a PM to learn more.

We are based in Puget Sound and will have our Ranger 25 three years this coming July and have 570 hours on the Yanmar 110. We are planning on taking the Ranger 25 back east to resume The Loop because it was an incredible trip for many reasons. We love the Ranger 25 and are very comfortable doing the loop on it because it fits so well with our style of cruising. With all the windows and hatches, we did not feel closed in. You will probably adapt and accept any space that you become invested in. But we were often the smallest boat on The Loop during our travels; us and a few Rosborough 26's.

Most Loopers use boats that are in the mid-30's in length because they want more creature comforts when they are doing the 6,000 mile loop in one grand adventure. The Ranger 29 fits that bill quite nicely.
 
I am a new R 29 owner. Other than Sea Trails, haven't gone anywhere with her yet. Take delivery in the Spring.
I owned a Carver 36 with a flybridge in the 80s. Just from the Sea Trial experience, going back to a flybridge would seem spartan.
The visibility from the R 29 is excellent. Best bet, take one out for a spin.

Chris
 
My wife Maureen and I took delivery on Karma our R-29 on November 13th. Since then we/I have spent 22 nights on board. We are heading back to Port Orchard on Christmas Day for another two weeks on board. This boat is very comfortable and joy to be on.

Prior to Karma we owned a R-25, Solitude. We spent up to a week at a time on her and were also very comfortable on her. Both Rangers have been great boats and a lot of fun! (My dream is to also own an R-21)
 
David,

We ( mostly I ) am going to miss the Block Island 21 we traded in more than the sailboat we sold.
Had so many good times with that boat. Had her 7 years.
It was sort of like a small down east lobster boat, but with a bimini enclosure instead of a hardtop.
With the outboard up ( 115 hp Yamaha ) she drew 9 inches. We would anchor in calf deep water off Napatree Beach
and spend lazy days swimming and beach combing. Or we could leave Mystic CT at 11:00 am, and be on Block Island in an hour for lunch and a little shopping, and be back in Mystic in time for cocktail hour.
I have always been an early riser. Sometimes I would take her out at 4 am, head 2 -3 miles offshore and turn off the engine.
Then just drift in the rollers and watch the Sun rise. It doesn't get any better.

Chris
 
Pardon my ignorance. What exactly is The Loop?
Rich and Nancy
 
We've done the most of the East Coast portion of the Loop (Chesapeake Bay to Florida and back) in an R-25. We bought it specifically because it didn't have a flybridge. In the fall going south and the spring headed home, it was cool enough that we probably would have steered from inside even if we had a flybridge. On the warm days, there seemed to be plenty of ventilation to keep it comfortable inside. Visibility-wise, we were okay too, although the First Mate kept a regular eye on the view astern as part of her duties. Although most of the bridges over the ICW are 65' there are still some that are not. It was kinda nice to be able to slip under a lot of those low bridges without having to wait for them to open. The R-29 would certainly be roomier and a good boat for the Loop but we managed nicely for 6 months on the R-25.
 
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