Looking for a Ranger Tug

B

BethLorber

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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
no boat yet
We are interested in learning more about Ranger Tugs from folks who own them, We like what we have seen and are considering a used R26 or R27, if there are any available. Should we be lucky enough to find one in the Pacific Northwest, are there any concerns that we should be aware of? Thanks
 
I also have an R25 for sale . It is listed at 85,000 dollar on this web site. You can contact me directly at jfturner3@juno.com.

John Turner
 
Hi Guys,

I have a R-25 classic just down the road from you in Sequim (John Wayne Marina).
I don't need much of an excuse to take her out so If you would like to go for a ride and get behind the helm, get in touch with me at joe @ sfctaxservice.com. Please put ranger tug in the subject line.

We are also thinking of moving up to a R-31 so the boat is kinda, but not really......well maybe...or could be......wow, you know it would be really hard to sell her......but that 31........have you seen that 31!!......

We spent 3 years deciding to buy our Ranger, which was three years too long. Great boats, great people, great fun. Just do it.

Joe
 
I also took a recent interest in the Ranger tugs. First started looking at "tug" style boats with the new Nordic Tug 26, and then after searching ran across the Ranger tugs. I especially liked all the features that appear to be included in the Ranger tugs and the price point is much better than Nordic. I have boated for over 20 years, but mostly express style cruisers and currently own a 340 Sea Ray. Any thoughts from those that are current owners of Ranger tugs that have previously owned cruiser style boats? I also liked what appears to be much better fuel economy as well as safety of diesel versus gasoline. All comments appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Rob: I'm not sure what you're looking for in response to your post. May I suggest you spend some time combing through this vast treasure trove of a forum to pickup information on whatever it is you're wanting.
 
Rob, the biggest adjustment I had to make coming from a Sea Ray express cruiser to a Ranger Tug was the speed. See my thread "Wrapping my head around trawler speeds" for more details. In a nutshell, the concept that the distance a tug can cover in a day is about what an automobile can cover in an hour, took some getting used to. The adjustment, though, was relatively quick and painless.

Beyond that, I love my tug and the quality, workmanship, value, fuel economy, seaworthiness and overall experience of ownership is way out of the Sea Ray league. I ran into some five footers crossing the Chesapeake last week and couldn't help compare the safe, comfortable and secure ride of the Ranger to the beating I would have taken in the Sea Ray. IMHO, once you make the switch, you'll never go back.
 
boatagain, thanks for the reply. That is the kind of information I was looking for. I will spend additional time on the site as well to gain more information.
Rob
 
Looking back, my Sea Ray was more like a sports car convertable with the roof down all the time.. Now my Ranger is like boating around in an apartment very comfortable with everything you need or want at your fingertips . I miss sometimes the going fast, but not the fuel expense. The level of comfort far out weighs the going fast 🙂 And you will read.. Best customer service anywhere .. We all agree on that hands down
 
Hi Rob,

I'll offer my thoughts as I've had a 280 Sundancer and a 400 Sundancer as well as a Doral 330. So we did lots of boating and cruising trips in express cruisers.

Boatagain was right about speed being a big difference. Our R25 can approach 20 mph if the water and weather are just right but we generally cruise around 10 to 12 mph.

Our Ranger Tug just works better for what we do now. Our boating season is spent cruising around our home lake and the occasional trip. Some of the differences between our R25 and our Sundancers that we like are:

• We can float in 2 feet of water.

• We can trailer our tug at 70 mph to get somewhere to start a cruise.

• The fuel economy at cruising speed is significant.

• On hot days, cool rainy days, even cold snowy days, we’re running the boat from inside a climate controlled cabin. I belong to a volunteer boating safety organization and this year we manned the perimeter to keep boats out of the course for some annual hydroplane races. The days were long and hot and humid. The other members of our team were in pontoon boats and runabouts but we were in air conditioning, sipping sodas from the fridge or having a cup of coffee. And with the design of the cabin there was plenty of visibility to do a proper job of patrolling the perimeter.

• When we set up for the evening and have dinner on the boat we have large windows to look out at the scenery.

• Everything is on one level for us. No going down 4 steps to the main salon. On a long cruise, being able to fix lunch in the galley while one of us is at the helm and still be on the same level is nice. I might be wrong but I think the Nordic Tugs are up and down steps to go from the cockpit to the helm.

• None of my express cruisers had thrusters and that’s a great standard feature of the Ranger Tugs.

• And then, the design and engineering that went into the Ranger Tugs is just unbelievable. Cabin heat from the diesel engine when underway. Hot water from shore power or from the engine. An interior that converts easily from cruising to an overnight condo. Fully integrated electronics. Etc. etc.

These tugs are different boats from an express cruiser but they are a great way to spend quality time on the water.
 
If you want an adventure and bring a tug across the country, I have an R27 for sale on Long Island, NY. It has ALL the options, plus a custom enclosure. Blue hull, blue enclosure. Interior has been varnished.
 
Hi, the concerns you might have, if I were to venture a guess, are how well they are built, economy of operation, quality of added parts, speed and performance in weather?
Construction: They are very very very well built and you have an amazing resource in the Ranger Tug Service Dept, as well as an nearly unlimited group of people on Tugnuts that have great advice, a helping hand if needed and a ton of experience.
Economy: If you keep your speeds to trawler speeds, the economy of operations are astonishingly low compared to "speed boats". If you intend to do most of your cruising in the Pacific NW, you will get to know the tides and current well and use them to further your economy wherever you can.
Added parts:Our tug has a Garmin electronics package and we are very happy with it. The stove, lights, and all other equipment added are of nice quality and work well within the boat systems.
Speed. We go slow, and enjoy the trip. We can squeeze 15+ knots our of 'er, but we mostly run around 6-8 knots and enjoy the ride.
Weather: We have crossed the straights in 4 foot chop, and our tug (an R27) was not phased. With a draft just over 2', the boats handle really well in a following sea also, which impressed me.
I hope you find a perfect tug, I am certain one is out there for you. Rangers are great.
Jeff and Ela, Bobolink R27.
 
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