creekcrawler
New member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2013
- Messages
- 1
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Hull Identification Number
- FLMT2135B808
- Vessel Name
- DUTCHESS
Hello All,
Well, after a lot of research and reading a lot of threads, my wife and I are now proud new owners of a 2008 model Ranger Tugs 21. She is beautiful with only 50 hours on the engine and stored indoors! Just had her bottom painted (she had none). Had to loose the boot stripe due to the water line. No big deal. May have a new one painted on next year but doesn't look bad without it. She has a blue hull. We have been looking at the 21 for awhile after coming off of our sailboat sabbatical and moving to our home on Spa Creek Annapolis, MD. Want to introduce ourselves. I am Jonathan, wife is Yvonne. We Launched her on Memorial Day and she is finally settled into our slip. My wife is Dutch so we renamed her Dutchess (not Duchess ... the correct spelling, play on the word) Been reading a lot of threads where people have complained about this and that (mostly speed). We are lifelong sailors so speed has never been an issue with us. Don't know why anyone would even put this boat on their list if speed was a factor! Some of the visitors who post on your threads are funny! Obviously don't know much about boats and wish them well in their search. 6-7 knots which is the speed limit in most creeks in Annapolis anyway, it is what it is. We enjoy the journey along with the destination. Feel very safe in this boat, even crossing the bay to the eastern shore. Can't beat the 2' draft! and the inboard Yanmar diesel! We can anchor pretty much anywhere (our sailboat drew 6'). We have had 3 overnights on her so far. I am 6'2" (my wife smaller LOL). No issues but will modify the V-Berth a bit with a foot rest involved in the standing room area. Already have a design in mind (before we bought), But suggestions are welcome!. But surprisingly still okay as it is, even with my bad back. Wasn't expecting that. We have a wind scoop from our previous boat that works great with the forward hatch. And a couple of those blue West marine seats that work great on the engine cover. We don't have a bow thruster which I can't understand the need for anyway on a 21' boat. Maybe if I was older or inexperienced, it would possibly make a difference. The boat handles great once you understand the prop walk and prop wash. Very responsive! It was really windy on Memorial day when we fueled up at the dock; no troubles. A WHOPPING $70 in fuel and she was almost empty. Anyway, have a couple of issues. 1) the depth sounder transducer stopped working. It was glued directly to the hull with no small enclosed well that is recommended (am used to boats with a thru-hull not an in-hull and did some research), trying to figure out that one. 2) Also broke the anchor light lens on a tree limb when launching it. My inexperience launching a boat this way (from the ramp instead of a sling). Still have the bulb and the light works but haven't been able to find the plastic cover screw-on lens cover replacement online. 3) would like to give her a bit more power in the house battery bank. Have the standard group 24 but don't want to get more than I need. Just want enough power to run the fridge, some lights , and maybe the stereo for a bit over night (or 2 nights). Any suggestions? 4) I am sure I will come up with many questions as we continue to use her (not one for reinventing the wheel). The boat so far is everything we want. This is our first power boat and we have a lot of friends who are fellow boaters that have Sea Rays, Tiara's, ETC. Tried to talk us into one of those. We like to think we are smart when it comes to money and really thought about how we were actually going to use the boat, left vanity at the door and here we are! What a beautiful classy boat, seaworthy, efficient, with everything we really need! Creek crawling around the area, feel safe to cross the bay in bad weather if needed, and spend the occasional (turning out to be more often) overnight with my wife. FUN!!! Our next sabbatical in 10-15 years is going to be the great loop. I can totally see us in a 27 or 29 for that. Sold on this boat maker. No buyer's remorse! But then again, we knew exactly what we were buying! My advice to all buyers is to really think about/know how you are going to use the boat you are buying. In all my years around marinas, it is sad to see the amount of boats that sit and stay unused.
Looking forward to meeting some of you!
Well, after a lot of research and reading a lot of threads, my wife and I are now proud new owners of a 2008 model Ranger Tugs 21. She is beautiful with only 50 hours on the engine and stored indoors! Just had her bottom painted (she had none). Had to loose the boot stripe due to the water line. No big deal. May have a new one painted on next year but doesn't look bad without it. She has a blue hull. We have been looking at the 21 for awhile after coming off of our sailboat sabbatical and moving to our home on Spa Creek Annapolis, MD. Want to introduce ourselves. I am Jonathan, wife is Yvonne. We Launched her on Memorial Day and she is finally settled into our slip. My wife is Dutch so we renamed her Dutchess (not Duchess ... the correct spelling, play on the word) Been reading a lot of threads where people have complained about this and that (mostly speed). We are lifelong sailors so speed has never been an issue with us. Don't know why anyone would even put this boat on their list if speed was a factor! Some of the visitors who post on your threads are funny! Obviously don't know much about boats and wish them well in their search. 6-7 knots which is the speed limit in most creeks in Annapolis anyway, it is what it is. We enjoy the journey along with the destination. Feel very safe in this boat, even crossing the bay to the eastern shore. Can't beat the 2' draft! and the inboard Yanmar diesel! We can anchor pretty much anywhere (our sailboat drew 6'). We have had 3 overnights on her so far. I am 6'2" (my wife smaller LOL). No issues but will modify the V-Berth a bit with a foot rest involved in the standing room area. Already have a design in mind (before we bought), But suggestions are welcome!. But surprisingly still okay as it is, even with my bad back. Wasn't expecting that. We have a wind scoop from our previous boat that works great with the forward hatch. And a couple of those blue West marine seats that work great on the engine cover. We don't have a bow thruster which I can't understand the need for anyway on a 21' boat. Maybe if I was older or inexperienced, it would possibly make a difference. The boat handles great once you understand the prop walk and prop wash. Very responsive! It was really windy on Memorial day when we fueled up at the dock; no troubles. A WHOPPING $70 in fuel and she was almost empty. Anyway, have a couple of issues. 1) the depth sounder transducer stopped working. It was glued directly to the hull with no small enclosed well that is recommended (am used to boats with a thru-hull not an in-hull and did some research), trying to figure out that one. 2) Also broke the anchor light lens on a tree limb when launching it. My inexperience launching a boat this way (from the ramp instead of a sling). Still have the bulb and the light works but haven't been able to find the plastic cover screw-on lens cover replacement online. 3) would like to give her a bit more power in the house battery bank. Have the standard group 24 but don't want to get more than I need. Just want enough power to run the fridge, some lights , and maybe the stereo for a bit over night (or 2 nights). Any suggestions? 4) I am sure I will come up with many questions as we continue to use her (not one for reinventing the wheel). The boat so far is everything we want. This is our first power boat and we have a lot of friends who are fellow boaters that have Sea Rays, Tiara's, ETC. Tried to talk us into one of those. We like to think we are smart when it comes to money and really thought about how we were actually going to use the boat, left vanity at the door and here we are! What a beautiful classy boat, seaworthy, efficient, with everything we really need! Creek crawling around the area, feel safe to cross the bay in bad weather if needed, and spend the occasional (turning out to be more often) overnight with my wife. FUN!!! Our next sabbatical in 10-15 years is going to be the great loop. I can totally see us in a 27 or 29 for that. Sold on this boat maker. No buyer's remorse! But then again, we knew exactly what we were buying! My advice to all buyers is to really think about/know how you are going to use the boat you are buying. In all my years around marinas, it is sad to see the amount of boats that sit and stay unused.
Looking forward to meeting some of you!