Subject: Just pulled the trigger on a new 2016 R-21EC
Well after, several weeks after having sold our MY2010 R-25 (Classic) and having been discussing the R-21EC with Andrew & Jeff, we pulled the trigger today and ordered up a Ranger Gray 2016 R-21EC with a new Gray matching King Marine flat Bimini top and Full Enclosure that has no vertical poles for its entire length of the cockpit... great for swinging around a fishing rod off the side or hauling in crab pots etc. :lol:
Some may consider this a 'down size' which it is physically compared to our previous R-25. However, we consider it an upgrade that more closely matches our new boating requirements.
The long one and two week trips were/was becoming too much for us, the cost for keeping the boat in a covered moorage in salt water, the professional & DIY maintenance, running costs, 4 monthly anode replacements frequency and every 3 years doing bottom paint renewing were all taking their toll and resulting in less and less time on the water for us. The R-25 is a fine boat for sure but we simply outlived its usefulness for us.
Over past weekend Paul & Sunny (TugBug) at Port Of Edmonds were kind enough to put up with me asking all my questions and took me out for a sea trail on their R-21EC. They let me have the helm and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of being more in touch with the water compared to the R-25. The R-25 certainly moves about less in rolling sea than does the R-21EC and protects you more from and 'removes' you from the elements, but the R-21EC amazed me to be more fun to drive/operate/ride and handles well while still giving me comfort in safety. As a boy growing up in southern England just west of Dover I was constantly going out to sea in all kinds of weather in an open one mast fishing tourist boat that held around 30 people. It had an engine box much like the R-21EC has and I can still hear the glorious engine chugging sounds it made. The rocking and rolling motion in this boat was a delight to this person. Salt water spray on the face was heaven. I made these trips as a boy as much as I could afford. The R-21EC brings this same experience back for me.
The long open cockpit space is heavenly compared to the R-25's and the well designed transom seating with a nice foot step is very enjoyable and comfortable sitting in this location.
Paul & Sunny had warned me about engine noise but to me it was not an issue at all. Sunny and I sitting on the transom seating could talk and hear each other with engine idling and all the way to WOT. One does have to shout out from the transom area to the pilot house for the helmsman to hear as the WOT is approached. I actually liked the engine noise. 😎
I noticed the R-21EC will actually become more directional stable as the speed picks up... but this could have been the sea conditions. Comparing this with the R-25 I have to say as speed increased on the R-25 its directional stability became less and I had to constantly tweak the wheel. For the R-21EC the wheel kept steady and required no trimming at speed. Maybe it's the large rudder that the R-21EC has... but dunno. The R-25 has quite a small rudder and is not very effective at below 4 kts.
Pushing the R-21EC hard over at speed she turned around in about its own length without any uncomfortable motion or leaning.
There's a bit more vibration on the R-21EC compared to the R-25, but it's not annoying or really of any concern for this person.
Squeezing into the pilot house between the deployed helms seat and the sink/stove counter and 'stripper pole' :roll: is a bit tight and one needs to slide through this area sideways, and maybe for a large person will require a deep inhale. :lol: However, once inside it's cosy and 'tight fitting'. Visibility is outstanding and the paragraphic wipers are a huge improvement over the R-25 wipers IMO.
I love the two port holes in the V-berth.... something the R-25 did not have. I like looking out sideways and this was not possible in the R-25's V-berth.
I will be adding some fiddles to the various shelving in the pilot house, just as I had to in the R-25. I will likely also add fiddles for the standard cockpit table that attaches to the rear of the engine box.
Engine box... what can I say, Access is simply wonderful as well as the access to the two batteries. I imagine the DIY maintenance will be a dream compared to the R-25.
I will be trailering this R-21EC and keeping her in my house driveway.
Andrew and Jeff made my decision for the R-21EC a very pleasant experience and were both patient with me asking all sorts of questions. Not once did I feel they were becoming impatient with me. Andrew was at his best 7 days a week always giving me his best advice with that commanding voice of his. 🙂
So, Laxey will live on as well as in DreamSpeaker's "Puget Sound, A Boater's Guide" (page 50). :lol:
Expected delivery is between mid to end of August... can't wait for it to arrive. 🙂
Well after, several weeks after having sold our MY2010 R-25 (Classic) and having been discussing the R-21EC with Andrew & Jeff, we pulled the trigger today and ordered up a Ranger Gray 2016 R-21EC with a new Gray matching King Marine flat Bimini top and Full Enclosure that has no vertical poles for its entire length of the cockpit... great for swinging around a fishing rod off the side or hauling in crab pots etc. :lol:
Some may consider this a 'down size' which it is physically compared to our previous R-25. However, we consider it an upgrade that more closely matches our new boating requirements.
The long one and two week trips were/was becoming too much for us, the cost for keeping the boat in a covered moorage in salt water, the professional & DIY maintenance, running costs, 4 monthly anode replacements frequency and every 3 years doing bottom paint renewing were all taking their toll and resulting in less and less time on the water for us. The R-25 is a fine boat for sure but we simply outlived its usefulness for us.
Over past weekend Paul & Sunny (TugBug) at Port Of Edmonds were kind enough to put up with me asking all my questions and took me out for a sea trail on their R-21EC. They let me have the helm and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of being more in touch with the water compared to the R-25. The R-25 certainly moves about less in rolling sea than does the R-21EC and protects you more from and 'removes' you from the elements, but the R-21EC amazed me to be more fun to drive/operate/ride and handles well while still giving me comfort in safety. As a boy growing up in southern England just west of Dover I was constantly going out to sea in all kinds of weather in an open one mast fishing tourist boat that held around 30 people. It had an engine box much like the R-21EC has and I can still hear the glorious engine chugging sounds it made. The rocking and rolling motion in this boat was a delight to this person. Salt water spray on the face was heaven. I made these trips as a boy as much as I could afford. The R-21EC brings this same experience back for me.
The long open cockpit space is heavenly compared to the R-25's and the well designed transom seating with a nice foot step is very enjoyable and comfortable sitting in this location.
Paul & Sunny had warned me about engine noise but to me it was not an issue at all. Sunny and I sitting on the transom seating could talk and hear each other with engine idling and all the way to WOT. One does have to shout out from the transom area to the pilot house for the helmsman to hear as the WOT is approached. I actually liked the engine noise. 😎
I noticed the R-21EC will actually become more directional stable as the speed picks up... but this could have been the sea conditions. Comparing this with the R-25 I have to say as speed increased on the R-25 its directional stability became less and I had to constantly tweak the wheel. For the R-21EC the wheel kept steady and required no trimming at speed. Maybe it's the large rudder that the R-21EC has... but dunno. The R-25 has quite a small rudder and is not very effective at below 4 kts.
Pushing the R-21EC hard over at speed she turned around in about its own length without any uncomfortable motion or leaning.
There's a bit more vibration on the R-21EC compared to the R-25, but it's not annoying or really of any concern for this person.
Squeezing into the pilot house between the deployed helms seat and the sink/stove counter and 'stripper pole' :roll: is a bit tight and one needs to slide through this area sideways, and maybe for a large person will require a deep inhale. :lol: However, once inside it's cosy and 'tight fitting'. Visibility is outstanding and the paragraphic wipers are a huge improvement over the R-25 wipers IMO.
I love the two port holes in the V-berth.... something the R-25 did not have. I like looking out sideways and this was not possible in the R-25's V-berth.
I will be adding some fiddles to the various shelving in the pilot house, just as I had to in the R-25. I will likely also add fiddles for the standard cockpit table that attaches to the rear of the engine box.
Engine box... what can I say, Access is simply wonderful as well as the access to the two batteries. I imagine the DIY maintenance will be a dream compared to the R-25.
I will be trailering this R-21EC and keeping her in my house driveway.
Andrew and Jeff made my decision for the R-21EC a very pleasant experience and were both patient with me asking all sorts of questions. Not once did I feel they were becoming impatient with me. Andrew was at his best 7 days a week always giving me his best advice with that commanding voice of his. 🙂
So, Laxey will live on as well as in DreamSpeaker's "Puget Sound, A Boater's Guide" (page 50). :lol:
Expected delivery is between mid to end of August... can't wait for it to arrive. 🙂
