Just pulled the trigger on a new Ranger Gray 2016 R-21EC

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Barry,

CONGRATULATIONS!! You must be SO excited about your new 21EC. She looks VERY well-done. Did you get to drive her away from the dock at all? I didn't see any 'underway' pics. Canvas looks great. Yesterday I understood you to say that the 40 ga clear panels had not been started yet; obviously they were well underway...please ignore my comment about 30 vs 40 ga since you've already got your kit.

And your lettering is VERY classy 😎

dave

 

[baz]

Thanks for the various subjects you've posted along-the-way. If of interest to you, the side windows will slide 2" further rearward if you remove the fixed window gaskets (they just pull out/push in), cut off 4" and re-install equally top and bottom.

CN

Nice tip and will do.... thanks 🙂

 

[baz]

Dave: I was too busy chatting with Kenny when on the water... there was lots to chat about. I just love the maneuverability of the R-21EC coming from the R-25. From a standstill then putting rudder hard over and then throttling up causes the boat to turn about its CG axis very nicely... no need for bow thruster :lol: Running her at 3100 rpm (WOT or close to it) and then placing her hard over the R-21EC handles nicely and quite safely IMO... and the grandkids found that fun. At WOT the wave behind the boat is quite (very) large.

So for next 10 hrs on the engine I'm supposed to vary the rpm rather than run it at a constant rpm. After this period I can cruise all day long at 80% of WOT rpm, right ?

The Raymarine SPX5-R + p70R Control head behaved nicely and we played a bit and had it follow a computed course with ease... niceeeeeee.

Garmin 741XS display all the nice engine data. I configured it to place Coolant temp, GPS speed, RPM and Battery voltage in the 4 corners.

Played with radar and setup radar overlay.... worked well.

With full tank, 3 adults, two children and all the fenders, lines, spares, canvas on board Laxey tipped 9 knots on the zero wind and calm lake fresh water.

The trip home from the launch ramp was 11 miles and my Volvo XC70 T6 + Polestar + Class III hitch handled well trailering.

I added some more photos to my Dropbox album. 😀

 

[baz]

A few more things I picked up during the delivery Factory Experience...

1) Folding the helm seat and lowering it and then placing half my bum on the seat in this position with left foot on the floor was quite comfortable for short periods and would aid in being able to move quickly between Pilot House and cockpit, especially when docking solo.

2) My radar did an excellent job picking up other boats and even small ski-dos that even my eye could hardly see. Ski-dos presumably have no radar reflectors and are very small also.

Finally, we are extremely please with our R-21EC purchase. Ranger Tugs has made the past few months deciding on things a real pleasure in doing business. Every inch of the way they gave me undivided attention whenever I needed it. My factory visits were well worth my time as I got to see portions of the boat that are now hidden. Little things I brought up about the boat were all taken care of carefully and with no hesitation by Ranger Tugs. They treated me as if I were their only customer... and that's is saying something when you consider they are producing and selling around 150 boats per year across their model lineup.

Thanks Ranger Tugs. 😀

 

[baz]

The little potty/toilet/head was in demand on delivery day by my delightful 3 yr old granddaughter... 😱 :lol:

"Granddad, can I use your little potty toilet please, please..."

 

[baz]

Thanks for the various subjects you've posted along-the-way. If of interest to you, the side windows will slide 2" further rearward if you remove the fixed window gaskets (they just pull out/push in), cut off 4" and re-install equally top and bottom.

CN

I made that easy modification yesterday and yes, I now have that extra 2" of window opening travel. Thanks very much for this tip as I quite likely would never of thought of doing this and the extra window opening is very very welcomed by this person. 🙂

 

[Captain Nice]

Yes sir. In hot Oklahoma, every little bit of extra air helps. When spec'ing our boat, I inquired about replacing the center fixed window with an operable (top-hinged) one (yes, you'd lose the wiper) but was refused. I believe this was provided on the 21 Classic.

CN

 

[Cherrel]

I bought my r21ec this time last year and already have over 100 hrs. I can't get enough of her. I enjoy every minute I can with her. You have probably made the best decision of your life. Hope you have as much fun with your R21EC as I am having with mine. 😛

 

[Islandboy]

Good luck with your new purchase. I loved the early model one I had and regret selling it. We are now looking for a clean well maintained one to buy. We would really appreciate a heads up if anyone knows of one. A R21-EC