Getting ready to buy the R-25

I'm still a little confused about the need for an autopilot myself. Everyone says if you have an autopilot, you should be diligent and be watching all the time for deadheads, traffic, etc. Makes sense. But if you're doing that, why have an autopilot? Perhaps autopilots are more for open ocean travel?

We're daytrippers, so autopilot doesn't make much economic sense. Just trying to get an idea as to when other owners actually use autopilot. Is it just an expensive toy?
 
Tugger,
In the summer I launch the Lucky Fin in our little lake here in Montana. It is only about 3.5 miles long. I puttsy around the lake with auto pilot on with the remote in hand. I am going so slow when I'm fishing. I can tend my fishing pole in the cockpit and steer at the same time. Very pleasant to be able to walk away from the helm and do what ever. There is enough glass up front to see well enough to feel safe. No question there are some bodies of water where you would not take your eyes off your heading because of objects floating in the water. Like the inside passage. ( lots of deadheads) Or when other boaters are whizzin by. But slow cruising gives you Plenty of time to look out and see it is clear ahead. You can do a few chores after taking a good look. If I have other passengers on board I will tell them to keep an eye out while I do my thing.

The auto pilot quit working on my C-Dory one time. It was terrible to be tied to the wheel. I counld not wait to get it fixed.

Just my opinion. I use the auto pilot on every outing and every trip. In short cruises or long, in big bodies of water or little bodies. I think once a skipper gets use to having one it is hard to do without.

captd
 
OK -- it's full steam ahead. Have reached agreement on the R-25 pricing with Jeff. Will be placing deposit down tomorrow and with luck Gill and I will be proud owners of a new MY2010 R-25 in July sometime.

Yes, we did add the Autopilot Garmin with remote and factory installed Xantrex inverter.

I'm truly impressed with the extra goodies that Ranger Tugs throws in along with a new purchase contract. 🙂

Next steps.... ? Planning our first short cruise on the Puget Sound waters right. 😀

I noted in another thread that there's an organized trip from Bremerton to Poulsbo in September which sounds like a great opportunity to get acquainted with other Ranger owners.

Thanks to ALL who have participated in this thread. It has been of great help to me.

Regards... Barry
 
Question about a boat's name. If we choose a name that some other boat in the world already has how is that handled if indeed its a problem? I have to imagine there are name collisions and that this cannot be any real issue.

Thanks... Barry 🙂
 
First one ehre is. Yes there is an MP3 jack we install for your ipods on the new R25's.

Second is Autopilot. I think after you take some long cruises you will wish you had the autopilot. We install the new Garmin GHC 10 which is incredible. Everything is NMEA 2000 now including the engine. You can view all of your engine gauges right on the Garmin Chartplotter, which is nice to me. Like Capt D is saying. If you are having second thoughts about it I would opt for us to install it ahead of time. Remember this as well. We install it we warranty it.
 
Name Collisions? :lol:

How about all the other guys named "Barry". :?: 😛

Charlie
 
captain's cat":1xgwe8lx said:
Name Collisions? :lol:

How about all the other guys named "Barry". :?: 😛

Charlie
Click to expand...

No problem then, right ? 🙂
 
Nope - there is no real problem if you duplicate an existing name for a boat. Even if the boat is documented, you can do it (probably with a different home port however). There are lots of names used commonly....

You probably wouldn't want to match one of our names of course..... 🙂 - it would get tough at the rendezvous!

Mac
 
Take a look at boat names on the C-Brats site. You'll be surprised at the number of "Hunk E Dorys" or some variation of that name that we have.

Charlie (one of many by that name but still unique)
 
Take an extra moment before committing to name. Consider how it would sound being broadcast over the VHF radio system and would you be proud of it:
"Naughty Nurse to Lock and Dam 25, we are looking to lock through."
"Lock 25 to vessel calling. What is your name again?"
(Never mind)

The boat's name is a reflection of more than the owner's sense of humor. Good luck!
 
Careful, we've got a "Nauti Dream" on the site!! :shock:

Charlie
 
One boat we ran across in the Abacos was named " Poverty Sucks" imagine a frantic call on the radio from this boat in distress for all boats to come to its aid. some could say " don't hold your breath" 😉
captd
 
baz":2gbn4v1f said:
Question about a boat's name. If we choose a name that some other boat in the world already has how is that handled if indeed its a problem? I have to imagine there are name collisions and that this cannot be any real issue.

Thanks... Barry 🙂
Click to expand...

We have chosen LAXEY as our R25's name. This name is associated with the Laxey Wheel found in the Isle of Man. Re: http://www.iomguide.com/laxeywheel.php

We will also have the IoM Three Legs of Man logo embedded onto a red flag painted to the right of LAXEY.

The Three Legs of Man -- no matter how you throw me I will land on my feet. 😉
 
captain's cat":3htg0gl0 said:
Great name/idea Baz! Which logo in this

http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook ... y/legs.htm

is the one you're gonna use?

I don't think you need to worry about other boats having this name, at least on this side of the pond! 😉

Charlie
Click to expand...

Yep -- We will have the three leg logo be white legs on a red flag background (used for naval purposes).

juux1u
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top