New R-29 debuts at Roche Harbor Rendezvous

Bruce Moore

Bruce Moore

Staff member
Joined
Nov 22, 2008
Messages
2,248
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Hull Identification Number
USFMLT4104I
Non-Fluid Motion Model
SSBN 658 Mariano G. Vallejo
Vessel Name
Soundtrack
MMSI Number
368096220
Last night, with happy hour well underway, the new R-29 made her debut on the party dock. Talk about excitement. Pictures are here, on the Ranger Tugs Facebook page.
 
Looks like a Ranger Cutwater 🙂
 
It's a Tugwater!

Bruce, for those of us missing the fun, post some more pictures.

Jeff
 
Agree. looks like a hybrid between the two lines. Not sure if I like it better.
 
Will be nice to see the layout I'm with you I tend to like the existing shape.. But lots of features I like and the extra windows in bedrooms . Looks like less cabin more cockpit ..
 
Haven't posted here in a long, long time....
Please, let that disaster be a one-off, never again, experimental test boat. I'm sure the focus group will like it though, if they included extra pinky ring and gold chain storage.
 
At first blush I must say I like the look of it. It's a bit updated for sure and a tad more modern looking without too much bling. Those forward facing windows are simply awesome... do they have one or two wipers as the glass area is quite large?

I will be seeing this new R29 up close for sure at the Boats Afloat Show - Lake Union, Seattle Sept 10-14.

Niceee.... thanks Bruce. 🙂
 
With the larger raised hardtop over the cockpit area , it will be just sides and back now for canvas will be easy peeze
The raised part will allow access from the side dock and save head bruising 🙂
 
Please ask Ranger Tugs to update their web site page at http://rangertugs.com/R-29 🙂

Am I missing something ???? ....but is there no helm sliding door on this new R-29 ?
 
Wow how did I miss that.. Good news is it is like a different boat so should not affect the older model resale... And possibly may actually help it 🙂 I do like the look but it is not a tug any more . I need to see the inside before I decide for sure
 
ummm.
I was getting a tiny bit excited with the talk of a spanking new 29.
Well, first look cured that like a bucket of ice water.
So when do they add the Euro style elliptical windows and the bow snoot.
They can call it a WaterDancer.
 
I think that looks sharp! No, it doesn't follow the typical Ranger lines... I love it when a company mixes things up. More modern looking, but still enough of "the look" so that you know it is an evolution. Much like Harley-Davidson introducing a new model: there will the the traditionalists who resist anything that "doesn't look like what I have." 😉 Kudos to the Ranger factory folks for looking and designing ahead... I am predicting a hit!

Wish we could have been there to see it in person, and make some music for the Ranger folks... we are delivering our boat to the new owners and giving them some orientation.

Best wishes,
Jim B. (Captain Jim and the Blonde)
 
Looks are part of the appeal, and it sort of makes me think of what would happen if a Hinkley met The Jetsons,

But I'd sure like to read what Anne writes about it on a trip to Ketchikan and back.
 
I take exception to being insulted as some kind of troglodyte simply because I think the new 29 is a perfect example of committee/focus group design. Will it sell?.. maybe, but that's not the question is it? Will it sell better than what it replaced? and, Will it negatively effect the reputation or desirability of the rest of the line?
Are there enough buyers looking for a Ranger Tug that actually want to buy a slow, fat SeaRay or Carver?


Harley Davidson turned it's back on what made it a success and started to make such poorly considered "updates" that it nearly ended the company. It ended up being sold as a name to AMF. It wasn't until it was unloaded by AMF and returned to its "roots" that it became an icon again...
 
I sincerely hope that there will be a market for this TUGWATER hermaphrodite. The traditional tug/trawler lines are gone; no pilothouse door either. The bump-up on the cabin top over the cockpit destroys the tug profile. If this was the only new R29 model available this year, I hate to say it but I’d seriously look at the Nordic Tug. There are some design characteristics you just should not mess with. We’ll keep our R29 traditional.
 
I guess time will tell. Perhaps there is a large group of potential buyers who were waiting for this. I'm waiting for the 33, but hopefully the traditional model.
 
baz":38kq36b6 said:
At first blush I must say I like the look of it. It's a bit updated for sure and a tad more modern looking without too much bling. Those forward facing windows are simply awesome... do they have one or two wipers as the glass area is quite large?

I will be seeing this new R29 up close for sure at the Boats Afloat Show - Lake Union, Seattle Sept 10-14.

Niceee.... thanks Bruce. 🙂
Click to expand...


It is a double-take to imagine a cross between the tug and the Cutwater, but we see lots of features we like in this new model. And the fore windows are at the top of our list. The panoramic view is stunning. Andrew told us there will be one pantographic wiper on each of the three windows. Another interesting feature about the dash: it's wide and deep. Room to spread out a chart. And the factory integrated an opaque window into the surface that serves as a skylight for the head below. There's room to put two 12-in chartplotters.

The factory is still fine-tuning...didn't have time to install the fore windows before this weekend (plexiglass for now, for instance). We salute the Ranger team for being bold and offering a distinctive new design. Some are calling it the "Tugwater" here 🙂

We have some pics, but can't load from here. Maybe Bruce has a few more to share. But for those of you who couldn't join us, below are a few details/observations.

The cabin interior has lots of natural light from windows in the cabin top. Hatches will have screens and the factory plans to create snap-on covers for the stationary windows for climate control.

Mostly teak and fiberglass, only monkey fur in sight was in the cave. No louvered doors. Teak cabinet doors throughout.

As you enter the state room, there's a night stand-height cabinet (picture a half trapezoid) with a wine cooler (facing the interior of the boat) a cabinet door for storage (facing fore). TV mounted above with open shelves behind. (Perfect spot for a hanging locker in a future modification?) A number of porthole windows in the state room and two hatches for ventilation. Roomy (wet) head. Shower head mounted on the wall behind the door. Vessel sink has a dedicated faucet. A shelf and fiddle run the length of the wall above the cabinet and sink.

There's a wide helm seat and a single 1st mate seat. The helm seat flip-flops to create seating at the table, and raises slightly when flopped back for elevated helm seating. Table converts into bed. The cave is below.

Double propane stovetop with oven and a shallow cabinet door below. Four drawers to the left bordering the cockpit wall, full, cabinet-height double doors between the stove and the frig, with sink above.

The cockpit has tons of seating. Three seats like on the R31, but inside the cockpit (not gullwing). Half of the full-length window on the aft side of the cabin flips up and secures to the underside of the cockpit hardtop, allowing the aft banquette seat to flip-flop into a fourth seat facing the cockpit. There's a sink in the corner (starboard side) and freezer on the port side.

Two swim ladders: on on the swim step, off the bow. Two hatches on the bow flip up into cushioned seat backs, feet below deck.

We joined the new owners for a short cruise and love how it handles. Very smooth, stable turns. And spritely. Andrew took her up to 21 knots with 8 people aboard.
 
I sure hope the factory does not mess with the R31 design in the same manner as the new R29. At least the current R31 still evokes images of a real old tug boat, but has the luxury of most liveaboard amenities (similar to a small motorhome but on the water). Having owned two different diesel pusher motorhomes over eleven years, we appreciate all the amenities in the R31 although it is all in a much smaller tugboat style package that is a true head-turner everywhere we go. Nearly everyone wants to come aboard to check it out, then they are amazed at what all is packed into such a small space.

Don't lose sight of the head-turning buzz that comes with these tug-like boats!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top