Greetings from Cape Cod Bay

T

ttlmac

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
46
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Indian Summer II
Hello to all my “virtual” friends on tugnuts. We took delivery of an R25 this past May and have already put over 60 hours on the boat. I want all of you frequent contributors to tugnuts to know how much my wife and I enjoy following the latest news and info.

It’s quite a different experience having a Ranger Tug in Cape Cod Bay compared to the Seattle area. We’re docked in Scituate Massachusetts, which is about 30 miles south of Boston. Not many boaters in this area are familiar with Ranger Tugs, so everywhere we go we stand out. Kind of like driving a Rolls Royce or a Maserati; everyone wants to check it out. Last month we gave a tour to Barry Cohen who came in on a sailboat in Provincetown (on the tip of Cape Cod), and he liked it so much he just ordered an R-27.

I have found the user and technical information on this site tremendously valuable. I especially want to thank Baz for the step by step instructions with photos on the oil change for the Yanmar 150. I followed his directions explicitly (even bought the same model oil pump) and had no problems. It wasn’t that complicated a process, but it was comforting to know that I was doing things correctly as I went along.

I have a question for other R25 owners with the 150 Yanmar: I like to cruise at around 10 knots, but need to be at 3100 to 3200 RPM to get this speed. Is this too high an RPM for cruising 3-4 hours? The engine temperature is around 205-207 at this RPM, at WOT we get to 209-210F. Is this typical?

Tom
Indian Summer
 
I have the Yanmar 125HP and typically cruise between 3100-3200 RPM at the same temperatures that you indicated. I definitely do not cruise at higher RPMs for extended periods of time but I have found that this is the 'sweet spot' where I am relatively efficient, the engine doesn't get to hot, and there is no oil 'burn-off'. If you are running into waves, current, head-wind, etc. keep an eye on your temps. If you see it going up, slow down. Usually this occurs when you are battling a 4-5 knot tidal current or a pretty stiff wind/wave combination. I consistently check oil and coolant prior to any trip and recently traveled ~9 hours in order to beat out some storms at this RPM with no problems. I would expect the 150HP to be very similar.

Yanmar's are extremely durable and designed to run at higher RPMs. In fact, if you run your RPMs too low you can run into problems, like issues with your turbo charger.

I boat around the lower NY Harbor/Raritan Bay area so say hi if you ever come my way.

Doug
 
My wife and I purchased our 2010 R25 from Winter Island Yacht Yard and commissioned it 28 April. We are at about 55 hours and are waiting on the Yanmar Authorized dealer to do our shaft alignment. Like you, we are really enjoying the boat. We are mored in the Bass River at the West Dennis Yacht Club. If you are on the south side of the cape, give a yell. Our friends recently took delivery of a Nordic Tug 26 and we are always on the lookout for other tugs.
 
Doug,
Thanks for the info on your experiences. My approach in terms of RPMs and watching the coolant temperature is the same as yours.

John,
We took the boat to Sesuit Harbor in Dennis 2 weeks ago as I have family there and my be going back in a week or two. Right now, going around to the South side is not in our plans as I hear it can get quite rough in Buzzard's Bay. Have you had to deal with any rough seas yet?

Tom
Indian Summer
 
Our goals this season are to reach the Vineyard, Nantucket and go around the Cape. I have been through the canal on a 29 foot cruiser twice and am prepared for the bay entrance to the canal. What I am more concerned about is going around Race Point and down and through Pollack Rip. We are going to try to spend a few nights in Oak Blufs the week of Aug8-14. Everything depends on the elements and the wife's grandaughter sitting schedule! If you know when you going into Sesuit, give me a heads up and we can meet at the cafe and have a cuppa.
 
Thanks John. I know what you mean in terms of planning trips. If the planets align in terms of weather, my work schedule and family schedules, we could be back to Sesuit 12 or 13 August, when you may be in Martha's Vineyard. I'll let you know if we are able to firm up our plans.

I had heard of Pollock Rip, but didn't know the specifics so I googled it. Apparently that's where the conditions got so bad for the Mayflower that they turned around and headed back north, ending up in Plymouth. Generally speaking, it seems like there are more hazardous areas on the south side of the cape than in the bay. And now you've got to look out for great white sharks too.

Tom
 
John/Tom:

YOLO (my nw R-27) will be showing at the Newport Boat Show September 17-19. Susan and I will be there on the 19th and plan to have lunch at the Red Parrot. Maybe we can meet up and introduce each other (although I have l aready met Tom and his wife).

I think I see a potential Mass Bay Fleet in the making!
 
Barry, Sounds good to me. I'm still hoping we can get together for a ride in my boat. I'm working my way through a long list of friends and relatives that I've promised rides to. We're having a great time, but I've kind of overcommitted myself. I'll contact you as soon as we have a free day.

Tom
 
No problem Tom. Scheduling can be crazy. I am happy to hear you are enjoying your boat.
 
Tom,
I want to address your question re cruising RPM with a Yanmar 4BY150. You can run continually at 3600, always keeping an eye on temp of course. I always run at a speed that is comfortable for Captain and crew. I'm glad to read that my "Tug Family" are enjoying their boats so much!
Cheers,
Peter
 
Thanks Peter,
I probably won't run it long term at that high an RPM, but it's good to know that I don't need to be as cautious about this as I had thought.
Tom
 
Tom,

This is a little belated, but I just got through asking Andrew if my R25's Yanmar 150hp was overheating as it was running at 204 degrees and up to 211 at WOT. I was nervous because my friend on Ainokea has a 110hp which runs at 175 degrees. Andrew points out that the 4BY engine you have is totally different than the 110 and your (and my) temps are within normal expectations for the 150. The digital (or liquid crystal) temp gauge shows 3/4 hot which seem hot to me, as you'd sort of expect the virtual needle to be vertical at normal running temperature. But, no it is not.

Andrew tells me WOT is around 4000 rpm. I was at less than that and at WOT only got up to 15 knots on flat, lake water with two people and full diesel and water tanks and empty waste tank. I'd like to revitalize this thread and ask how fast have others got up to with the 150hp 4BY Yanmar? I was thinking 20+ knots was to be expected. Maybe I need to fool with the trim tabs or something. Got to get her up to light speed at least once!

Jerry

PS. Alto should be in Cotuit on Cape Cod for the summer. Join up in Menemsha on the Vineyard, anyone?
 
My wife and I went over to the Vineyard with our best boating friends in 2010. We have a Ranger 25 and they have a Nordic 26. We shared a mooring for two days and had a great time. We plan to do it again this year as it is only about 2.5 hour trip at a laid back speed. We are both located in the Bass River, WDYC to be more specific. Hope to seeyou and your boat this summer. CC boat show in two weeks and then the Boston show two weeks after that! Come on spring!
 
Jerry,

My experience regarding speed and temperatures appears to be about the same as yours. For WOT, I only get up to around 3800 RPM, and maybe 15-16 knots. This is with full fuel and water, and 2 people aboard. For my boat, I don't think that 20 knots is possible even with a tail wind and current. It seemed like I went a little faster, and my engine temps were a little lower (by a degree or so) when I first got the boat last May, compared to later in the summer. I know the ocean water was quite a bit warmer in August vs May in our area, so maybe that had something to do the engine temp increase (I may be way off on this, just a thought).

By the way, I enjoyed your post about the benefits of the R25 classic vs the SC. I am happy with the classic, and I think mine was one of the last ones built.

I have relatives on the Cape, so hopefully I can meet you and John Shea at some point. I will be going to the boat show in Boston in a few weeks so maybe I'll see you there.

Tom
 
Hi folks,

Yanmar is pretty good about providing data for max rpm, rated rpm, etc. I'd suggest reading the engine manual closely. The manual will tell you the amount of time one should run at a specified rpm, especially rated rpm and max rpm. I found the graphs for my engine specs to be very informative,eg. prop curve and engine curve meet at 3600 rpm which is rated rpm. And, best fuel flow at 2000 rpm, which is not a recommended operating rpm for continued use.

In general, Yanmar recommends limited time at rated rpm, about 5% of total. One shouldn't be able to reach max rpm with the prop engaged. The engine/boat/prop should be matched to attain rated rpm.

Older engines were designed to run at lower temp, 170 to 180 degrees usually. Modern engines are designed to run at higher temp, 200 degrees and higher. Analog gauges are designed all over the place, sometimes normal reading is at the top, sometimes not. I get concerned when readings fall or rise. 🙁

Gene
 
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