Large vs.Small

[jeffrey]

I to am looking at the Ranger Tug very seriously. Presently I have a 40' motoryacht which I love dearly, but life changes over time.

A boat's use is directly related to size. The larger the boat the less it is used. Of course I am generalizing and there are exceptions to that , but for the most part I believe that is true. My boat seems to be no longer viable as a cruiser. Being gas powered she uses a lot of fuel even at my most economical rpm's and I also lose some efficiency at that speed.

I have had guests tell me that my boat is too small for more than four people. In my opinion it is not, but some of my guests are not boaters. My previous boat was 42' and volume wise smaller than the boat I have now.

My wife believes the RT29 would be perfect. I am still doing some exploration in this area. I do love the boat, but I will need to spend several hours on one to fully understand the boat and its limitations that pertains to me.

I love small cruising boats whethwr power or sail. they are much more difficult to design than larger boats especially in the execution of accomodations. The British are excellent at designing and executing small cruising vessels.

Personally, I am at the point in my life where I believe I need to downsize so I can do some serious cruising. As far as accomodations are concerned, is the boat for myself or others? A question that needs to be figured out.

Jeff

 

[knotflying]

Here is a good test to see if the boat you want is for yourself or others. The next time you wash and wax it and do service on it look around and see how many "others" are there to help. This may help you decide if the boat is for you or the others. We have an R-27.

 

[JerryE]

Mike makes a good point. Another is the gradual loss of crew as kids grow up, your boating buddies go into assisted living or (worse) take up golf, your wife prefers doing crafts while watching Dancing with the Stars, etc...

Consider this concept: "Other people's boats" Just hang at a yacht club, member or not, or put up a notice and become crew on somebody else's hole in the water. It's almost as good as living off "Other people's money."

 

[GulfSailor]

I have had guests tell me that my boat is too small for more than four people. In my opinion it is not, but some of my guests are not boaters. My previous boat was 42' and volume wise smaller than the boat I have now.

Sometimes guests need to be reminded of the difference between a boat and a hotel suite.

My wife believes the RT29 would be perfect. I am still doing some exploration in this area. I do love the boat, but I will need to spend several hours on one to fully understand the boat and its limitations that pertains to me.

Take a look at the Cutwater 28 too: http://www.cutwaterboats.com/cutwater_28
It's from the same family and has an interior that's similar (but definitely not the same) as a Ranger Tug, but with a Cabin Cruiser exterior.

As far as accomodations are concerned, is the boat for myself or others? A question that needs to be figured out.

I take the view that it's fun when guests arrive on board........and even more fun when they depart! 😛

 

[RProffer]

The rumors are Ranger has a new 31 foot boat in the molds. You might want to wait a few months to see how she turns out.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Jeffrey: We went from being full time live aboards for 5 years on a 40 foot trawler, while cruising extensively, to a 27' Ranger Tug and love it. I agree with you that in life things change and one has to be willing to adjust, for us it was a desire to return to owning a home. Not wanting to give up boating we decided to downsize our boating lifestyle to a trailerable boat so we could explore the many places we have not seen or could not get to in the 40'. We've adjusted quite nicely to the 27 so I would think downsizing to the R29 would be even more enjoyable.

You mentioned in your post that your plans are to do some serious cruising. Although both the R27 and R29 are trailerable keep in mind the R27 would be a little easier in that you would not need permits and your truck GVWR could be less. If the cruising you're talking about would not involve extensive trailering then I would go with the 29.

As far as what friends and or family think and or say I'd suggest (like others have) to do what is right for you.

Good luck,

Jim

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Jeffrey,

As I recall, the Avenger was made back in the late 60s, early 70s. Nice boats, solidly built. Moving to a smaller boat doesn't have to mean a smaller experience... especially considering the efficiency and comfort of currently made boats (Ranger Tugs in particular). Certainly a Ranger 29 could easily entertain 4, but even more than that: it could get you back out and about on the water. If you are looking for a floating cabin, with plenty of walk around room, looks grand at the dock... well, you already have that. If you are looking to get out on the water, anchor in great little coves, stay in interesting marinas, and do it with decent fuel burn (that's relative, 'cause it's a boat), you may be ready for a change.

I see on your profile that you are from Colorado; you didn't mention where you keep your boat, but there are R-29 owners who trailer their boats... opening up unlimited cruising waters. What you lose by making a move like that: the walk around room. You will be sitting at a comfortable dinette instead of individual chairs; or out in the cockpit in whatever kind of seating you choose. What you gain: well, that "unlimited cruising waters" really is a kinda big thing. 😉 Thrusters to make docking uneventful and something easy for a couple, unassisted (we know one couple who never takes their big boat out without someone else along because they need at least three people when docking).

If you have friends who think your boat (any boat) isn't big enough for more than 4, suggest that they pay for a trip for all of you on a cruise ship... room for a couple thousand of your closest friends and someone else does the cooking, clean up, and docking. :mrgreen:

Other gains: modern electronics and amenities, a warranty, and a friendly, helpful owners group. And I have to say, I think those Ranger Tugs certainly do look grand at the dock... and even better looking underway.

For transparency's sake, we do not own a Ranger Tug. The original R-25 had not yet been produced (but, was being introduced) when we ordered our current boat. We have friends who own Ranger Tugs, and I do admire a company that enthusiastically promotes and supports their boats and owners. While out cruising on our CD-25, we are often asked about it by bigger boat owners - their curiosity is much like yours, and it comes down to: can we be comfortable on something that size?

It works for us and a lot of other Ranger and C-Dory owners (there was a brief connection between those two companies when the Ranger 25 was first introduced). It may not be for everyone, but you have to decide why you boat. Sorry to get all wordy on this, but buying a boat can be an emotional, and not inexpensive, experience... especially when making a drastic change. I don't necessarily agree with the "smaller gets used more" camp... I have seen plenty of small boats sitting unused. An enthusiastic owner insures more use. Convenience insures more use. Confidence insures more use. Affordability (again, relative) insures more use.

Before we retired, we made some carefully considered downsizing decisions. It was a small, easy, trailerable sailboat that led us in this direction... a boat we kept when we sold the bigger sailboat and bought the C-Dory. I later sold that small sailboat because it wasn't getting much use... seems that the enclosed helm in our boat was one of the things that made it easy to stay out more.

Only you can decide what level of space and amenities is right for you. Good luck with your decisions - this is a great forum for learning more about these boats.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[walldog]

Hi Jim, I see you are waiting for cooler weather. Sunday and Monday should be beautiful. How about an overnight up the Arroyo Colorado on Sunday? We will only have the two of us and our 80 pound Golden, Jake. So we will not have to worry about where the guests sleep. 😉

To keep on subject, Willie, Jake and I lived aboard our 27 for 4 months this past summer. Guess in a pinch we could have an extra overnight guest, but never tried it. While we were in the PNW, we took the mattress out of the cave for more storage room. Possibly will put cave storage access under the dinette and microwave so that will end its use as a berth. We would still have the dinette conversion for guests if necessary. But we feel like it is really just a two person boat for sleeping. When we first met Bob and Nita, and they invited us to ride from Seattle to Bremerton with them, they let us know up front that we would need to have a hotel room for the rally. 6 or more for drinks, 4 for dinner and 2 to sleep works really good for us.

Out for a few hours this morning 🙂 , sure glad to see that wind lie down.

 

[jeffrey]

james,
I can hardly believe you know what an Avenger is. There are very few out there. it is a wonderful boat and well cruised.

I keep my boat on Long Island, N.Y. I spend almost six months a year onthe boat and when the temperature starts to decline my wife wants to get home. I have a hard time leaving my boat after the summer, but when I get back to Colorado I would spend some time either restoring a classic boat orbuilding a boat. I may be starting on a small sailboat very shortly.

What truly intrigues me about the Ranger Tugs are not only the boats and the engineering behind the design, but the owners themselves.

I seems to me that the owners are passionate about their boats(which I like) and most of all they use them. Some Ranger Tug owners do some extensive cruising. A goal of mine is to do the Great Loop And I think an RT29 just might fit the bill. i am going to wait and see about the new 31. That might be even better.

The 31 is supposed to debut at the January Seattle boat show and my wife and I just might make the trip to take a look.

Happy Holidays,
Jeff

Still can't believe you know what an Avenger is!

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Jeffrey,

We visited with an Avenger owner while cruising on the Erie Canal in 2009. That wasn't you, was it? There were some great boats built in that same era... when it doubt, add more glass!

You mentioned that your wife is ready to go when the weather turns cold... and then going to Colorado! Since you miss the boat when you leave it, just imagine taking it where the weather suits your clothes. Size is more about attitude than square feet. I've long felt that a boat needs to have a certain minimum amount of space and amenities to spend extended time aboard... and each couple has to decide what that minimum is. We have friends who cruise on a boat with no enclosed head or shower, no refrigeration, and... (gasp!) no cat.

If you haven't read their website, take some time to look this over...

http://www.cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/

After a few hours of reading that, you may decide that a Ranger Tug is absolutely decadent! Like my buddy, Herb, we feel our boat is a couple's cruiser. The dinette has never been slept on... oh, and we don't dine in the v-berth, either. 😉 25 feet works well for us, though we know it's not for everyone. One couple on a bigger boat asked about ours; I said, "Would you like to see inside?" I barely got the words out of my mouth when the woman was climbing aboard.

She took one glance around and said, "How do you two not kill each other?" No doubt, 40' wasn't enough for her. :lol: But the look in her husbands eyes when we talked about all the places we've been with our boat certainly had him thinking.

We've had our 25 coast to coast to coast. Spent a winter in the Keys; a couple summers in the PNW; most winters in deep south Texas, heading north when it gets too warm. These days, we alternate between the boat, an RV, and a small house on a canal... and I often wonder why we have the house.

Good luck with your decisions. Picking the right boat for the way you are going to use it is part of the adventure!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Herb,

The Arroyo sounds good - I'll give you a call.

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Jim