Excited but a bit apprehensive

[Packeryakker]

Hi all!

Recently my wife and I started looking at used boats in the 25-30' range. We don't have much desire to get anywhere too quick. Cruising and exploring is appealing to us with some fishing and sight seeing thrown in. Living in southern California most boats in this range that keep popping up are older twin motors with mpgs in the decimals and high hours. Long story short we ran across a 2016 Ranger Tug 25sc. It immediately stood out to us and we set up a time to take a look at her, which happened this last Saturday. We love the boat. It checked a lot of boxes for us. Now the questions. This would be our first ocean going boat and we are hoping for some expert advice and information.

We will take classes to become profficient in operating her, is this a good first boat for us? We do have limited experience boating on lakes and rivers.

We know that we will outgrow 25' and would ultimately like to move up to 29 or 31'. How strong is the resale on these as they age?

We will most likely be making an offer this week and setting up a sea trial. Is there anything specific we should be looking for?

A survey was done within the last few weeks and turned up some minor issues which the current owner is addressing. Is it advisable for us to have our own survey done?

Anyone with experience boating in southern California with this type of boat? Pros? Cons?

Please provide any advice, insight or information you feel would be helpful.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help out a couple of newbies!

Tom and Kathy

 

[Toucan]

We spent 6 months on our boat each year in 2017 and 2018 in the PNW. So it is very livable. We have not been out to the Channel Islands in this boat yet but plan to in the near future. It should work fine for that if you pick your weather window.

I would suggest getting your own survey. We have a D3 Volvo Penta which will require having the timing belt replaced at 1400 hours, if I remember correctly. It looks like this will require the engine to be pulled from the boat to do it. Just something to consider if the boat you are looking at is approaching that engine hour mark.

Our boat is on the trailer just up the road from you in Ridgecrest if you want to come look and talk.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[Packeryakker]

Thanks Barry, I might take you up on that.

 

[dclagett]

Tom & Kathy

We have owned our 2014 RT25SC for almost 4 years and find it to be a good traveling boat for a couple. Our area of operation is mostly the Chesapeake Bay. On the Chesapeake the boat performs well, however we tend not to travel when small craft warnings are posted and especially if we will be in following seas, the bow tends to dig in and you become very busy controlling the boat. Everyone has their limitations and what is comfortable to them, so a good sea trial is important prior to purchase.

A good survey is extremely important both in and out of the water. Our survey took almost 6 hours. I would suggest you get a recommendation for someone in your area and discuss with them the approach and items covered by the surveyor.

There are a few items I have had trouble with which cost considerable to fix and suggest you look into them:

1. Check Engine alignment with the prop shaft when the boat is in the water. Our engine needed to be raised to obtain proper alignment.
2. Check the fuel filters for any signs of water. On my boat the fuel vent allowed water to seep into the fuel tank during heavy rains.
3. Check all connections where engine antifreeze leaves the engine and travels to the hot water heater and cabin heater. We had a slow leak where the antifreeze leaves the engine and at the water heater.

Good luck,

Dick

 

[Trisailor]

Hi Tom and Cathy,
We have owned our 2011 R27 for 4 years now and have cruised it from San Diego to Catalina for the last three summers. It's about a nine and a half hour straight shot from San Diego to Avalon. The best so far has been a 330 AM departure from San Diego with an 1130 arrival in Avalon. Fuel burn one way averages about 36 gallons so I top off the tank when arriving in Catalina, mostly for peace of mind on the homeward trip. With the autopilot, radar and view out the windows it's easy to trade off watches, get some sleep and arrive in Catalina feeling great. The Ranger Tug is an extremely seaworthy and comfortable cruiser. The only problems we've had with the boat are due to age of some of the components (batteries, etc) and a failure of the charger inverter and some toilet issues caused by age.
I want to take the boat and start the Great Loop at some point.

 

[Packeryakker]

Thank you for the response Dick. Very valuable information. One thing that came back on the original survey was a worn cutless bearing and the surveyor was of the opinion the engine alignment may be off. You have now confirmed this. The other issues you mentioned I will pay particular attention to. Our sea trial will, I am sure, provide additional information for us.

 

[Packeryakker]

Thank you Brain. We would like to visit Catalina and the channel islands as well and it is reassuring to know that this is well within the capability of this boat. Ultimately we would also like to explore the idea of a great loop trip.