Looking for purchasing advice

[zekeandboone]

Great forum! Thanks for being here.
Wife and I currently have a SeaSport 2200. We love the thing, but we are retiring this year and plan to do some extended cruising here in the PNW. We've seen Ranger Tugs all over, and I finally got to look inside at the Seattle boat show last week. I hauled the wife up to the factory so she could take a look, and she was hooked. We want a 25.
Now we need to find one. New would be great, but a tad over our (her) budget. I am trying to talk her into financing a portion, any tips there?
There are a few online for sale, and they seem to hold their value well. Is there a difference between an R25 and an SC?
I noticed the factory is putting in Volvos. Any problem with the Yanmars?
Thanks,
Zeke

 

[South lake]

Hi Zeke,

We actually bought our 2010 25 new in January of 2012. It was one of the last sold as the 25SC had come out. We looked all over to find the one we wanted because for us the difference was in cabin size vs. cockpit size. The SC or Sport cockpit took some of the space from the cabin and relocated it to the cockpit. Aside from that they're pretty similar, at least in that age range.

We have the Yanmar 150, again when we were looking we wanted the 150 HP instead of a 110 that was offered then. We've had no real issues with the Yanmar and when we laid it up for the winter we had 436 hours on it. Now early on there were a few things that had to be addressed across the fleet. one had to do with the "heater" hoses. They were replaced under a recall and you can find some info on that on this site. The other had to do with a false oil pressure alarm. That also was an issue affecting all or most of the Ranger Tugs with Yanmars but was addressed by Yanmar. You can find a lot of posts on that as well. The final thing has to do with the ease of changing the impeller because of the way the engine is mounted. To do that requires going through the flip down step in the cabin and I wouldn't doubt if that had a lot to do with Ranger changing the style to the SC so that the engine could be fully accessed thorough the cockpit hatch. Just raises the level of difficulty in the 25.

Whichever boat you pick, you'll love it. They're just great boats and they draw lots of attention, so be prepared to talk Ranger tugs every time somebody walks down the dock.

 

[nzfisher]

An R25sc has a bigger cockpit than the R25 and, from what I have heard, the front engine access is a little better. There are many Ranger people that keep their boats in meticulous condition so if $$ are an issue a used one is not a bad idea. You could also buy a used trade in boat from Ranger and get some kind of warranty support, or so I have heard. If you purchase a used boat with a Yanmar there at least 4 factory recalls affecting all or some engines depending on year built and serial numbers. At the last Seattle boat show I met the most knowledgeable mechanic regards Yanmar "BY" series so far. His name is Darrell at North Island Boat. It is rare to find some one as savvy and patient as Darrell and it speaks volumes for his company to have him staff a booth at the show.

 

[1Harrison]

We recently traded in our 2014 R25SC for a R-29S. The R-25SC is an incredible boat. We found ourselves on three occasions in 5 Ft seas. Well over our heads in experience, however the boat handled it with grace and taught us a great deal. We did Desolation on her last season for three weeks. We had an unbelievable time, and the 25 delivered every expectation. However, after three weeks she was getting a little confining. So, for a week trip or so it is the perfect boat. For longer trips it would be a personnel opinion. Oh! The return on investment, particularly on trade in is unbelievable.

 

[Levitation]

My advice is a 25 Classic in good condition. It has already depreciated from new to used, so the value will not drop rapidly over the next few years. There usually some listed on here - but more if you search the net. The asking prices are often (usually) more than what the boats actually change hands for.
An SC is fine for a couple, but not as good if there is a child. (IMO)
The SC cockpit is better for entertaining than the Classic.
The brand of engine is meaningless. They are all good.

Awww right, I've got a thick hide so the group can whistle and throw things at me :mrgreen:

 

[jcarrdive]

Hi Zeke- Hope to see you in a Ranger Tug soon! Just an FYI, we traded in the Bobolink 2011 R27 to the factory as we are moving up to an R31. I don't know the status on the Bobolink right now, but it was only picked up last week so if you are looking at a 25 OR a 27, you should contact Andrew about it.
It was a great boat, and we took special car of 'er.
Jeff and Ela

 

[BradOwens]

Hello,

I agree that buying a used boat from the factory is a great way to go. We bought our 2012 R29 from them last year, and the support we have had has been amazing! A tip of the hat to Andrew and all the folks at the factory.

 

[zekeandboone]

Thanks everyone for the forum responses and the PMs!
One of the attractions to the Ranger tug line is this group!