Going to check out a R21EC, what should I look for?

S

Salt Seeker

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May 31, 2020
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Seafox
Good evening everyone. Joined the forum today with a dream of owning a Ranger Tug.
I have been boating since I was 8 years old on Long Island Sound and Cape Cod bay. As an adult I have skippered 2 vessels on inshore and nearshore waters of CT, MA, NH, and on rare occasion NY. Very few inland hours. Fueled by a lifelong passion for fishing.
My current boat is a 2005 Seafox 187 CC, which I have owned since new. I usually log about 200 operating hours a season here on long island sound, from Apeil until mid October.
I live 90 minutes from the sound and for the past several years I have been driving in excess of my operating hours just to enjoy the beauty of the sound and hopefully being home fish (mostly I do). Lately the trips have been hard on me, as I often fish well into the night or early morning. I have been on the search for the perfect little boat that I can sleep on after a long day/night, cruise with on calm days, make a pot of coffee and even rekindle my writing aspirations. I saw a Ranger Tug during a boat search online and I am completely enamored with them. More so, after visiting the Boston boat show amd climbing aboard a R23, R25, R27 and R31CB. Right now my dream boat is a R27 but my funds are more consistent with an R21EC. I'll be viewing a R21 EC in MA this week as well as one in Freeport NY next week of still available. My concerns... and questions....
1. I am concerned about only having 30hp. I am well acquainted with having low HP (90 ATM) and have taken pretty good bearings in 3 foot seas.
Is the 30hp enough to deal with significant rip currents that I often intentionally seek as a fisherman. These would be currents during flood and ebb over bars and reefs as well as tidal river mouths.
2. Both boats I will be viewing have new D1 30 engines due to a recall ( I was told emissions issues). I have read some owners prefer the Yanmar to the Volvo engines. My questions in this respect are; is the Volvo a reliable engine (I have over 2000 hrs on my outboard and wouldnt expect to get near that but possibly a 3rd of the way). And... are the Volvo's easy to find parts for, and reasonable costs to repair if needed?
3. Neither boat has AC, as in reverse cycle air. I was told this can be installed, is this possible and would it be cost prohibitive?
4. Lastly, when viewing these vessels, is there anything I should pay particular attention to, aside from the usual of inspecting a used vessel, such as items that may be specific to the R21 EC itself?
Thank you all in advance for your guidance and input.
John/Salt Seeker
 
Hey John - having just bought a used R21 last year I can tell you that getting a survey done is key. I found a surveyor who was familiar with Ranger Tugs and paid about $350 to have him do a survey both on land and a sea trial. While there were no big issues found I felt comfortable knowing that things like hull integrity and mechanic systems were intact. The dealer was surprised that I chose to have a survey done but I was glad it happened and felt better spending the money knowing what I was getting into. The a/c issue has been discussed in several posts here on the forum and you can come to your own conclusion. I have A/c in my boat but haven't used it much. A good fan will be your best friend and is much cheaper than an install of a new unit. The Volvo engine is easy to work on and very reliable. I live out in central Massachusetts and if you want to PM me Id be happy to show you my boat and take you out if you want. I love my 21 and couldn't be happier with the purchase. The boat isn't for eveyone - if you want a go fast boat it isn't but for day cruising and overnights its perfect. - Jonathan
 
Sounds like you’ve got a good plan. The 30 HP engine does fine in currents although you may not go fast against them. We hauled our 21 to Key West and went through several cuts where the current was 4-5 knots and did fine. Give the engine a good inspection checking the belts and hoses. I have the Yanmar so I’m not familiar with the Volvo engine. They’re fine boats and you’ll have many admirers.
Good luck,
Karl
 
More than 30 hp will not push that hull any faster thru the water. It is a displacement hull with some modifications over the Classic - the EC has a marginally flatter run aft but not to the point where it will plane. I have a Classic and have run in company with an EC for comparison. Sustainable wide open is gonna be 9 mph or so, digging a big hole and lotsa wake for the size of the boat, and severely decreasing your available range with only 18 gal of fuel. You might consider a used (pre-owned?) R25 Classic or R25sc. There are a bunch available from folks that have moved up to larger Rangers.
 
Thanks all, for the input. Pleased to hear it tracks through 4-5 knot current. And thank you for the offer Matug. I will definately consider that offer. I'm going to visit a 2015 on Wednesday. The price is a little high with out radar or depth sounder but a freshwater used vessel with newer trailer. I'll have a better idea if it's for me or not. I am very much looking forward to it. Keep you posted!
 
The R21-EC engine has a fare amount of vibration so carefully look at hoses that are close to and in contact with the engine's parts to see if there's wear that could compromise the hose.

IMO, the weak link in the R21-EC design is the alcohol stove... I found it pretty useless.

If you're a cruiser, then an Auto-pilot for the R21 is a very useful device to have, and it makes long cruises a lot more comfortable vs. at the helm and having to steer manually.

Check the helm seat position to ensure it meets your body shape and legs. Some R21's come with a seat that can slide back and forth. I found the best seating was with the seat folded up and sitting on it 'side-saddle'. This also allows passengers to more easily slide past you at the helm, otherwise their clothing can snag on the port side of the seat, and also jog you at the helm.

The 30HP engine is quite noisy, so just be aware of this. Some like the noise and others do not.

When the boat is in the water and engine running check the wet exhaust to make sure plenty of water is being pushed out. This will indicate the raw water impeller is in good shape. Changing the impeller is a dream and can be done in 15 mins once you've done it once.... easy to do when out on the water. as well. Always carry a spare impeller.

Some R21's come with a bow thruster (it's noisy), so check this out and ensure it has a good zinc.

If you intend to sleep on the R21 then check that it comes with canvas panels that clip over the windows. They are stock items when the R21 is purchased new.

Good luck, I loved my 2016 R21-EC, and enjoyed its rock & rolling, and its rolling side to side when passenger moved about in the cockpit. 😉
 
If possible, look for a 2015 or newer. The factory made changes to the cabin section mold, one was improving the direction of the rainwater drain to avoid draining into the cockpit. The bow thruster is such a nice option, well worth looking for that too. And any questions you have can usually be answered by searching the TugNuts site. If you don't find the answer, then post the question and several of the knowledgeable members will likely help with an answer in no time. Let us know when/if you get the Ranger Tug.
 
Hi everyone, it took me a little longer than I wanted, but...
I checked out the R21EC for sale in MA. It's a 2014 so doesnt have the rain water redirect of the 2015. The engine has low hours and seemed like new. Trailer was spotless as was hull. The boat was used in freshwater only so no depth finder or radar but gps. I have to say I think I can have a great deal of enjoyment with it in calm seas. The price is a little steeper than others I've seen but it is in very good shape. I wish it had a self bailing cockpit. I'm going to speak to my lender and see what they think a decent price is to make an offer. I'd like to take it for a sea trial and may do so after I speak to the lender. I believe I read somewhere that these boats do not come with an owners manual/repair manual. Is that true? I suspect the engine does.
 
Hey John - I have a 2014 21 and the rain scupper modification on the roof is nice but not a deal breaker. I live near you and do the same waters you are planning on doing (CT/RI/ MA inshore) and have never had an issue with rain overwhelming the bilge pump. Some recent trips I have run into some pretty heavy rain and while I sit in the cockpit nice and dry the pump runs well. Some owners have added a second bilge pump for security and protection since the cockpit is not self bailing but I havent had any issues. I take it out on the Connecticut River out into the sound and to Mystic offshore with no issues. Good luck with the process. Should you get a boat PM me and we can go out together or I can take you out on mine if you want a test ride. It sounds like you are where I was before I bought a 21. Day and overnight trips but still want the ease of trailering a boat. As for the owners manual its easily available with a google search but is pretty basic. Most of what you need to find out as an owner will come from this forum! Good Luck - Jonathan littleredtug.com
 
Pay particular attention to the water and fuel hoses. That little 3 banger vibrates a lot and anywhere that the hoses touch anything solid you'll get rub marks and eventual holes in the hose.
I bought my 2014 used from the factory and when I got it home I spent a day cutting up old pieces of inner tube and securing them to various places on the hoses. The boat had less than 150 hours when I bought it but there were already visible wear marks.
Other than that it's been a great little boat.
 
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