jimschu
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2011
- Messages
- 130
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-242 C
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2355A818
- Vessel Name
- Seascape
- MMSI Number
- 123456789
Our first Ranger was the 18' double ender,one look and we were hooked. Kept it on Anderson Island, fun little tug named it Squeezer, then on to a R 21 which my brother and I fixed up, had a while and sold. I remenber talking to John and Jeff in the late 90"s about the possibility of a slightly larger version of the 21.
Time marches on and in July 2012 took delivery of a R 25 SC and had a great time. Fast forward two months and we are at the Ranger rendezvous in Bremerton and Andrew tells us he has a couple of free tickets for the in the water boat show on Lake Union. So we show up,checking out the models and Jeff and Andrew say why don't you look at the R 29 we recently took in on trade. We looked it up one side and down the other for a couple of hours and said we would think about it. Well says Andrew, its on the outside rafted up, why don't we take it for a quick ride. OK I say as my willpower is sinking fast.
Next morning I'm back and we make the deal, trading in a two month old 2012 25 SC for a used 2011 R 29. And we couldn't be more pleased. By now we are up to Squeezer 7 for the name.
Probably the biggest draw was the large semi walkaround berth with the adjoining head. The stbd door by the helm just makes it so much easier to dock or anchor. The auto pilot coupled with the trolling valve gives me great control when salmon fishing, even when alone. We had the Pacer lift, decided we really didn't need it, made a feeble attempt to sell it but no takers. My brother said to give it another try which I did and now store our Ranger 8.5 dinghy on the cabin top most of the time. We also have the Weaver davits so sometimes carry it on the swim step. It's a one man operation to hoist it up to the cabin top. You have to be real careful while hoisting to not scratch the hull.
At first I did not like the looks of the ss rails on the swim step. Now I would not be without them. It is so much safer and user friendly wether you are using a dinghy, crabbing, fishing or storing stuff on the swim step.
We did remove the water maker as I would have rather have more storage space. The majority of our trips are a week or less. So the availibility of water has not been an issue.
The cave is mostly used for storage except when the grandkids, one ten, one twelve are with us. We also have a Nova Kool portable freezer which is kept in the cave and works well. Ice cream on a cruise, nice perk.
We have had other boats over the years, which we joking called the "one butt boats". Withn the ten foot beam that is no longer the case with the 29.
We are going to tow a 9' Boston Whaler on trips this year and will see how that works out. We had a 4 hp gas outboard and a electric trolling motor, jury is still out on which is better.
We are really pleased with the 29. One thing I will look into this summer is the possibility of changing the prop to get better economy in the 8 to 10 knot range.
I know at some point it will be time to downsize and I still hope Ranger will have a larger version of the R 21, maybe around 23/24' with a bit more speed.
I just know I will always have a Ranger tug. The trick is to get a boat that suits your needs and this usually means a compromise of some sort.
Keep on tuggin !
Time marches on and in July 2012 took delivery of a R 25 SC and had a great time. Fast forward two months and we are at the Ranger rendezvous in Bremerton and Andrew tells us he has a couple of free tickets for the in the water boat show on Lake Union. So we show up,checking out the models and Jeff and Andrew say why don't you look at the R 29 we recently took in on trade. We looked it up one side and down the other for a couple of hours and said we would think about it. Well says Andrew, its on the outside rafted up, why don't we take it for a quick ride. OK I say as my willpower is sinking fast.
Next morning I'm back and we make the deal, trading in a two month old 2012 25 SC for a used 2011 R 29. And we couldn't be more pleased. By now we are up to Squeezer 7 for the name.
Probably the biggest draw was the large semi walkaround berth with the adjoining head. The stbd door by the helm just makes it so much easier to dock or anchor. The auto pilot coupled with the trolling valve gives me great control when salmon fishing, even when alone. We had the Pacer lift, decided we really didn't need it, made a feeble attempt to sell it but no takers. My brother said to give it another try which I did and now store our Ranger 8.5 dinghy on the cabin top most of the time. We also have the Weaver davits so sometimes carry it on the swim step. It's a one man operation to hoist it up to the cabin top. You have to be real careful while hoisting to not scratch the hull.
At first I did not like the looks of the ss rails on the swim step. Now I would not be without them. It is so much safer and user friendly wether you are using a dinghy, crabbing, fishing or storing stuff on the swim step.
We did remove the water maker as I would have rather have more storage space. The majority of our trips are a week or less. So the availibility of water has not been an issue.
The cave is mostly used for storage except when the grandkids, one ten, one twelve are with us. We also have a Nova Kool portable freezer which is kept in the cave and works well. Ice cream on a cruise, nice perk.
We have had other boats over the years, which we joking called the "one butt boats". Withn the ten foot beam that is no longer the case with the 29.
We are going to tow a 9' Boston Whaler on trips this year and will see how that works out. We had a 4 hp gas outboard and a electric trolling motor, jury is still out on which is better.
We are really pleased with the 29. One thing I will look into this summer is the possibility of changing the prop to get better economy in the 8 to 10 knot range.
I know at some point it will be time to downsize and I still hope Ranger will have a larger version of the R 21, maybe around 23/24' with a bit more speed.
I just know I will always have a Ranger tug. The trick is to get a boat that suits your needs and this usually means a compromise of some sort.
Keep on tuggin !