Looking to move to Ranger

C

Chimo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2016
Messages
751
Fluid Motion Model
C-26
Vessel Name
Chimo
MMSI Number
316033437
Hi there

We are currently running a 2008 C-Dory Venture 23. She has been a fantastic boat, well finished and equipped (not many 23s with a galvanic isolator from the factory!). Used mainly as a day tripper with a couple of 4-5 day trips a year she has about 530 hrs just info.. So, 2 ft disease kicks in and I start thinking to get my "last boat". What would improve the Venture? An enclosed head, not right next to my pillow and a shower would be high on the list but what else am I missing? For seaworthiness the Venture is great. A recent trip in Haro Strait had me bouncing around in a 4+ ft chop and no issues.

I looked at a 23 Ranger but with a 200hp outboard this is one long boat, same with the Cutwater 24 and a 300 hp. These don't really solve the head/shower issue and seem more suited to fishing rather than cruising and relaxing. I then looked at a new R 25SC. Nicely finished and seems to solve the head/shower issue. I think that 3200 rpm should give me 12 knots at 2.5mpg as a cruise and I can live with that. I don't seem to gain much cabin space (can 2 people of average size really sit on one of the seats at the table?) but a nice big cockpit. It costs a lot of money but finance rates are really low right now.

I REALLY am not asking for a comparison with the Venture as one being better than another but just some hints as to what I would gain. Can the 25 handle the 4-5 chop easily being a bit heavier. How about running downseas? Just thoughts like that would be much appreciated.

Chimo!
 
We sold our 2010 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer last year when we decided the livability of the R25SC was more in line with our cruising style. We have over 132 hours on the engine and have traveled about 1150 miles on the water (three weeks last summer and another 3 weeks this year. All is good, but it is significantly more boat to pull down the highway that our past 23 and 24 footers. The full throttle RPM on the D3-150 in the R25SC is 3000. At 2400 RPM it goes 12 mph with a full load. By the end of the week with less groceries, and less than half in the water and fuel tanks that figure goes to 13 mph (in fresh water in the midwest). Nautical miles per gallon fluctuates between is 2.2 at the low end and 2.3 at the high end at 2400 rpm. (Our boat actually gets about the same NMPG regardless of weather you run it anywhere from 10 mph to 16 mph. Slow it down to trawler speed and you can easily get 8 NMPG. (Slow down to Erie canal type speeds of 5 mph and it gets 11 to 12 NMPG.) Wide open (in calm conditions without wind factor) we achieve between 17.9 and 19 MPH depending on load and 2.1 NMPG. It is normally just the two of us and the two dogs and we find there is plenty of room in both the cabin and the cockpit. If I could change two things to make it a better boat - I would (1) raise the floor under the table two or three inches and put more room in the cave for storage and make the dinette more comfortable( but I am 5' 6 1/2" and anyone over 5' 8" would probably disagree), (2) put a gauge on the holding tank (almost every RV has these and if you clean the tank well they work just fine). Love the solar panel and use the auto pilot lots more than I ever thought I would.
 
Many thanks for the prompt and very helpful response. 12 or 13 mph would be fine for getting around but it's good to know there is around 50% more available if bad weather is approaching. Interesting comment about the cave. Have you (or any adult) ever slept in there?

I hadn't thought about the waste tank level gauge but I like the idea. Have you got the alcohol/electric stove and have you experienced the alcohol side? We have a Wallas on the Venture and love it. My alcohol experience years ago when we had a 28 Carver involved a fire at one point. Not good! Just wondered if they improved the technology.

A question to all, has anyone added a cockpit fresh water shower outlet?

Thanks again
 
There are many R-27's on the used market. Ranger Tug owners take great care of their vessels. You may want to look at that route.
 
We just moved from a 2012 CDory 22 at the end of August to a 2014 R25SC. I am not familiar with a Venture 23 but the R25SC is significant more boat than CDory 22. We needed more room especially for sleeping, a marine head not next to where one sleeps, air conditioning for the humid summers of Maryland both at the dock and running, and a boat that is more comfortable in Chesapeake Bay chop. After 30 hours of cruising the Bay it looks like we made a good move to the R25SC. Our CDory 22 was a great boat that we used not only in the Maryland bays but traveled on the AICW from Norfolk to Daytona Beach Florida. However this year it just seemed a bit more cramped and getting out of the v-birth at night to visit the port-a-potty was getting to be a chore for a 74 year old. So far we are very happy with the R25SC and are already planning our trips for the 2017 boating season. Good luck in your decision.

Dick
 
We have a 2010 R25SC with the Yanmar engine (great engine by the way) 860 hours. Last Winter we spent 98 consecutive days and nights on the boat cruising Fl waters. She has easily handled 5-6' seas off the Rhode Island coast. Yes you can install a cockpit shower, Whale is one brand that will work. I have one and I know Knotflying installed one on his R27'. As far as a waste tank gauge goes I installed an external tank gauge that works very well and was pretty easy to install. The boat is also easy to tow with a proper tow vehicle.
As Barry suggested check the used market, save lots of $$$.
 
We own a 2013 25sc with about 275 hours, always operated in fresh water. I have never been able to attain a speed any greater than 15 knots @ WOT. An rpm of 2250 will average 8.5 knots, 1850 averages 6.5 knots. Fuel consumption averages about 2.4 NMPG. Tug was marketed as a "Great Lakes Special" and has almost all options including bottom paint. I would say it's 2-3 ft wave boat...but waves on Lake Michigan are more "square" and 4-5 ft waves will pound this boat and make things very uncomfortable. 4 foot seas 2 seconds apart is way worse than 8 foot seas 10 or 15 seconds apart. Following seas can be tricky, the key being staying with the wave, and no trim tabs This negates the bow steer as well as stuffing the bow into the wave in front of you. Overall it's a great boat...
I have installed a storable cockpit shower, urilizing the rise on the starboard step. This location provides easy access to the water lines inside the head vanity and works extremely well. The head was factory converted to fresh water, and with the holding tank being equal in size to potable water stores, there's no chance of a full black water tank. Pump out when you restock on water...super easy! I also have the alcohol/ electric stove option. We use the alcohol stove while at anchor because I hate firing up the generator in peaceful settings. It's occasional though, the Magna kettle grill being the go-to option for most cooking. We utilize the boat almost every weekend, weather permitting during warmer months.
 
Forgot to mention sea conditions in my last post. I have found sea conditions depend a lot on the area and depth of water you are boating in. I live in the Ocean City Maryland area and my 22 CDory handled 4 to 5 foot ocean chop well. However in the Chesapeake Bay 4 to 5 foot chop has a shorter period and somewhat steeper wave. In my 22 CDory these conditions are not comfortable and you wish you had a seat belt. So far with limited experience in the R25SC I have found that 3 foot chop in the Chesapeake the ride is comfortable both head and following seas, no slapping or pounding just minimal pitch. These same conditions (for head seas) in the CDory would require one to slow to just above minimal planning and come off of plane when the stacked wave comes every 6 to 8 normal 3 footer. 3 foot following seas in the CDory are much less work, however do require speed adjustment for the stacked wave. In summary, 3 foot chop on the Chesapeake (mid bay) in the R25SC requires just set your speed and enjoy the ride versus much more work in the lighter and flatter bottom CDory.

The holding tank on my R25SC is translucent so when I check the engine oil for each trip I just look aft to check the level of the holding tank.

Dick
 
We moved from a 23' C-Dory Venture (Will-C) to a R 27 Ranger. I can tell you the 27 handles bigger seas much better than the C-Dory did. We have traveled in some snotty conditions in our C-Dory following a R 27 going from Block Island to Montauk in a small craft advisory and the Ranger handled it much better. We pretty much kissed the dock on arrival. Wave height only tells part of the story. I have been in both boats when I got into water that came over the bow almost every wave. I can tell you most assuredly the Ranger can handle rough water better than the C-Dory did. It should; as it weighs almost twice as much and it's taller.. My Learning to be happy running 8 mph or a little less is the key to good fuel economy and an enjoyable ride. Learning to slow down was the hardest part of my transition. My wife and I do not miss the pounding we sometimes had to deal with on the C-Dory. The C-Dory was a great boat for us. The comfort level on the Ranger keeps my wife in the game of cruising. You can entertain three or four couples in the cockpit I think the 25/ 27 Rangers are just more homey with great storage. Everything has it's place and you don't have to move things around when you want to go asleep. Everything can have it's place. Generally speaking docking in normal conditions is a lot easier on the Ranger. But a stiff wind and or current the thrusters won't always save you. I would try a catch a ride on the boat of your choice for a couple hours at least. We spend as much as two months on the boat at a time usually twice year. Be ready for all the people that will stop and ask you all about your Ranger Tug. And you can't imagine the amount of support the Ranger factory gives you new or used your part of the family. I would swing for a R-27 if you get the chance. Used maybe not a lot more money but we really like ours.
 
We look forward to moving up when finances will allow to a 25 or 27 ranger. Our 23 venture is a great boat,but we want some more room ,we plan on living on it for a few weeks at a time. The head and shower will be welcome. We can really zip around in this boat get where were going quick,will have to get used to slower speeds. But we want to do ICW to Florida and pick different trips like that,the extra comfort and room will be welcome. Even a tv for watching a few shows at night will make boat feel more like a camper.
 
Chimo":3edegyv3 said:
...I REALLY am not asking for a comparison with the Venture as one being better than another but just some hints as to what I would gain. Can the 25 handle the 4-5 chop easily being a bit heavier. How about running downseas? Just thoughts like that would be much appreciated...
Click to expand...
We also moved up from a C-Dory 22 to a R25 Classic. We had the C-Dory through 10 boating seasons with six or eight trips per season on Prince William Sound. Trips ranged from two to five nights aboard.

In direct response to your question, it's a whole different world. From a liveability/comfort standpoint the best way I can describe it is that it's like going from tent camping to a really nice RV. Regarding seaworthiness, well that's somewhat subjective. But again it's a whole different world. In short chop the Ranger doesn't beat you up nearly as bad. On the other hand it takes on a lot more spray. The lighter dory design skims across the water. The tug cuts through it. All boats have their handling nuances in following seas that have to be learned. Neither better nor worse than a dory design. Just different.

If you have limited time for boating on your hands don't under estimate how much the difference is speed makes. With a faster boat you spend less time travelling and more time doing other stuff. Also with the Ranger there is three times as much investment sitting in the driveway doing nothing when not in use. One reason we waited so long to upgrade was due to time constraints.

I miss the speed and simplicity of the C-Dory. But when the wind is blowing and/or it's cold and raining, I love the Ranger. My wife says she'll give up boating rather than go back.
 
Lots of food for thought in the replies and I really appreciate everyone taking the time. It's especially helpful to hear from the ex-C-Cory folks. At the moment I think I would love having the enclosed head and shower. The microwave would be nice but the alcohol/electric stove top is a trade off from the Wallas stove/heater. Does the electric stove drain batteries as fast as I imagine?

Interesting to hear about spray. I do get a bunch of that on the Venture compared to previous deep V boats but it's not so much a problem.

Questions that come to mind still. Do I get the "trawler roll" or is the hull flat enough that combined with the keel this is damped? Has anyone over the age of 55 experience of sleeping in the cave?

The investment tied up is a good point because I can't see us spending weeks on the boat, just a few overnights each year and a bunch of day trips.

Several suggestions to look at a 27 but unfortunately that is significantly longer and won't fit in the boathouse. I can manage the 25 with 1inch clearance. NOT buying a bigger boathouse.

Thanks again

Chimo

PS: Thanks for the Chesapeake memories. I know all about the chop there. We boated for 20 years, first with weekends on a 28 Carver. After a Bay thunderstorm that hit national news (the 28 had the bow rail in the waves followed by the screws clearing the water) when 5 boats sank and 3 drowned we bought a place on the water in Chestertown. A 23 BW Conquest ignored the chop and could pretty well out run a storm, all at 1 mpg.
 
Chimo":1msszv4b said:
The investment tied up is a good point because I can't see us spending weeks on the boat, just a few overnights each year and a bunch of day trips.
Click to expand...

That's why we went with the R-23.
 
Forgive me for bringing this post back up to the top again. We are almost there with our decision and our visiting the dealer on Wednesday to go over the boats features once again. At that point it will be thumbs up or down!

I would still really appreciate hearing from someone, preferably over the age of 55, who has experience sleeping in the mid-cabin [cave].

Searching through the forum I see quite a bit of reference to shear pins breaking on the thrusters. Is this a common experience?

Hopefully someone can give us a bit of information on these topics as we are looking at a really big investment.

Many thanks

Chimo
 
We have an R 27 and have had another couple over 55 overnight on the boat a few times. One sleeps on the dinette and one in the cave. No complaints but I'm sure it is tight. My wife made point of trying each berth on our other trips and claims she sleeps the best in the cave the best of all because there is no fear of rolling off the dinette and less rocking motion of the boat due to the lower location. Then again, maybe she just likes to be further from me! :shock: However, we do have an R27 and an extended cushion to allow the occupant to sleep more aft with their hips exposed so they can roll over. I don't know if this would be possible in the R25SC. If your hips extend under the dinette floor you cannot roll over in the tight space. Fine for a child though.
 
Sleeping in the cave is just fine (in fact it is my favourite place to sleep). You do want to pull the mattress about a foot toward the stern so that you have a little more height under your hips, and, as with the other berths, use a mattress topper.
 
So here's a story. Back in January 2009 I saw a 21 Ranger Tug for sale at Westport marina here on Vancouver Island. I asked here on this site for some input on this tug and got some some really great comments. In the end I decided that the R21 was not quite what we wanted, the dream being an R25, but the quest lead us to Port Boathouse, the dealer. They were also the C-Dory dealer at the time and, to shorten the story, we finally bought a 2008 Venture 23.

Fast forward to this fall and there was interest on the C-Brats site for someone looking for a boat like ours. a case of "2 ft'itis" set in and we started looking around. That deal didn't materialize but we had the itch. The Venture had been an absolutely spectacular boat with no issues. It was (is) well finished yet simple. It rides perfectly in snotty waters and is comfortable on the hook, though a little like camping. What to buy?

After lots of great input from this thread we decided on an R25. Several people suggested the R27 while others pointed us to Cutwater. Finally we settled on an R25SC. It gave us the real enclosed head and shower and still fitted in the boathouse. There was a used R25SC available at Port Boathouse and we were sorely tempted. A really lovely boat at a great price. In the end, however, insanity took charge and recognizing that at 67 (nearly 68) and mostly single handing, this is going to be our last boat, we splurged for new. The latest incarnation of "Chimo", a grey hull 2017 R25SC, is due to become ours this coming Tuesday. I recognize that I am trading storage and speed for a lot more systems and maintenance but also comfort and thrusters. I'm sure it's going to be a good decision.

Thanks to all for some great input, in this thread and across the site. Now I have only one big decision left, "Do I leave my C-Brats pennant on the Venture or bring it with me? Why is there no Tugnuts pennant?
 
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