new guy sez HI

[SlackwaterJack]

Hi...
I just joined last nite...I've been looking for a Ranger in the PNW ( I'm in Lewiston, ID). As soon as I sell my current boat I'll probably purchase a good used R-21. I haven't yet looked at one in person though and wonder if there is someone in the Spokane/ Tri-Cities/ Lewiston vicinity that would be willing to allow me to look at their boat...

I noticed that a Ranger 21 has been on a cruise of the Snake/Columbia River (recognised the Lewiston waterfront in the 'Albums' and on the photo from the homepage. Really wish I saw it when it was here).

I'm very familiar with single engine diesel boats ( owned an Albin 25 for years in San Diego) that I re-powered from the original AD-21 to a Yanmar 3GMfe. It was great boat but now I want a more open cockpit and just room for 1 or 2 to overnight without the kids (the girls no longer want to be away from the comforts of home or out of cell range).
The Ranger looks to be much simpler to trailer than my currently for sale Adventure Craft (perfect for the River but at 5500 lbs and 28 feet is not that easy to tow and launch on a frequent basis) I certainly no longer need its speed, flybridge or the AC-heat/microwave/shower/fridge/generator/2 queen bed setup now.

When the current boat sells, I'll be willing to pickup just about anywhere I find the right Ranger for the right price. If the price is amazing...maybe I'd consider owning 2 boats....but that is generally wayyy to much of a good thing.

Alex Gourluck
Lewiston ID

 

[captd]

Welcome aboard Alex, This is a good place for you to dwell until you find a good Ranger. You will love it when you get one.
😀 😀
captd

 

[johnniethek]

Hi Alex,

Welcome aboard, and I can add some additional thoughts on the R-21. I bought the R-21EC in June and already have about 70 hours on the engine. I have received terrific advice from members of this website, and excellent customer service from the folks at Ranger Tugs.

The boat, dubbed the Red Ranger, is a real head-turner. (I'll post pictures of the Red Ranger here soon for all to see.) Everyplace I go -- putting in, taking out, or in Costco parking lots -- people ask me about the boat. I had been steering those folks to the rangertugs.com website, but suggested to Jeff Mesmer, veep of Ranger Tugs, that leaving something with those folks might be better. So he gave me two dozen brochures about the Ranger 25, and I'm down to my last 3-4 of those.

After studying up and reading all I could, I took the Red Ranger on its (and my) first-ever week-long cruise, staying at a different place seven nights in a row in the San Juans. I was lucky in that there was only one day of bad weather, going from the north side of Blakely Island to Fisherman's Bay on the west side of Lopez Island. I had to navigate through quarterly trailing seas but the Red Ranger handled it beautifully.

Throughout the week I stayed at marine park docks, commecial marina guest docks and one night on a friend's buoy. The people I met were salt-of-the-earth and always willing to help a neophyte such as myself learn the ropes of the cruising lifestyle. In a few days I will be going back out to the San Juans to learn more about the area, and explore some of the top spots recommended by Messmer during my stop at this place on Center Island.

More about the R-21EC. I had a full tank (18 gallons) when I left Deception Pass and, after cruising in the San Juans for a week, filled it up again. It took 12 gallons! When I was cruising, I kept it at 2600 RPMs and was going between 7-8.5 kts depending on weather, tide and sea conditions.

I haven't yet learned how to efficiently pack the boat, but there was plenty of room to stow gear. I'm still learning about all the little things I need to bring -- like a hose in case I need to fill the 10-gallon water tank. One of the things I do expect to add sooner than later is an inverter so I can use 110V items. As it is, I used a 12 volt coffee maker but it takes about 25 minutes to make a mere 3-4 cups.

My boat also has an am/fm/cd player with an MP3 jack, and I'd highly recommend getting a 21 with that if you like to listen to good tunes. Or add a unit if the 21 you get doesn't already have one.

If you like to fish, you might also want to get a cupla downrigger plates installed on your 21. If you are by yourself much of the time, try getting the downrigger plates as far forward as possible. The further back they are the more difficult it is to bolt from the pilothouse to the back of the cockpit to set the hook.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Plenty of good info here from others with 21 footers, and larger.

Cheers,

John

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies,

When the time comes to make the purchase (I hope sooner, rather than later) I hope to have plenty of knowledge gleaned from this group so I make a good choice.

Now , I've seen boats of various vintages advertised and it seems that they generally can be divided into; teak window trim years, post teak years, ec as an option and now ec only. there isn't much written about build quality changes or hull shape improvements ... any info you guys care to share? Is there a year that seems to be a preffered year?
How about things like de-lamination prone or structurally weak years...Is newer always better?...etc..

And, if anyone in the Spokane/Lewiston TriCities area has one would you mind letting me take a peek...I've never seen one in person.

Alex G
Lewiston ID

 

[rt11002003]

Alex G,

The factory (DL) claims a significant percentage (50%) improvement in top speed with a redesign of the hull on the EC model. Anyway, on flat water, wind less than 2 knots, I've seen 9.5 knots and it seems 9 to 9.5 knots is normal on my tug with a clean bottom, min. equip. full tank of fuel , all other tanks empty and just me (210 lbs) on board. In wind and waves I've seen 10+ knots, surfing. I find the best cruise rpm is around 2500 to 2600 resulting in a speed of 7 +- knots.

I'd say quality of construction is well above average. The boat is strong; I've been hit by some huge waves created by people in 40 foot plus boats coming along side to look at the "cute little boat" :x and I haven't detected any flex of the hull. It handles extremely well; I've gone over/thru waves as high as the bow pulpit. Reminds me of a duck or a cork, doesn't let the conditions bother it.

I don't like the cockpit drainage system. Everything goes into the bilge and is pumped out by one (1) bilge pump. It should have two pumps. I've never known bilge pumps to be reliable and to depend on one as the only way to get water out makes me nervous. I plan to install another one.

Can't comment on the older boats, have never seen one of them.

Gene

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Thanks for the input....
I agree that 2 bilge pumps would be a very good idea. Maybe a 1200gph to back up a 750gph primary (less day-to-day power draw, but the ability to handle big demand if the the primary is overwhelmed or busted). Perhaps a good foot powered manual pump for those days that the water gods are really PO'd.
That the cockpit isn't self draining is a bit of a concern, but around here we get maybe 10" of rain in a wet year so it isn't a huge worry. My main concern is if we get a long cold spell and maybe some snow (annual about 1", but last year we hada record 5" that stayed for 2 or 3 weeks!) I often keep the boat in the River year-round and if the pump lines plugup with ice....yikes! Maybe if i keep some RV waterline anti freeze in the bilge I would be ok, ...the River doesn't freeze but the marina can get a 1/4 inch of ice in spots in Feb.

Has anyone looked into one of those bilge pumps that install on the propshaft and run whenever the boat is in gear? (you don't need to remove the shaft to install. (www.fastflowpump.com) They say the smallest size can move 24,500 gph at 2000 rpm. The pump operates fulltime whenever the engine is in gear and it ventilates below deck when it isn't pumping water (hopefully never).
Maybe it would be great factory option!


Alex G
Lewiston ID (world's highest seaport)

 

[ogger]

I hope you get a tug. I am very pleased with mine. As to bilge pumps I agree that 2 are better than one although nothing beats a frightened person with a bucket!
Ogger

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Hi ogger,
Buckets work too...But I boat in fresh water, so I can just toss some ice cubes and cheap Scotch into the bilge, pass out some drinking straws and get the in-laws to "pump" the boat dry.

where do you use your tug?... Swan River?..or open ocean? I expect it'll be a loong tow if you head east looking for a lake.

Alex G
Lewiston ID
(land of mountain streams and thirsty relatives)