New R29 Tug owners

W

wsparks67

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2010
Messages
6
Fluid Motion Model
C-288 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2908F011
Vessel Name
KNOT FLY'N
Hello Tugnuts,

My name is Wayne, and I would like to introduce myself and my wife Linda to the Tugnuts community. We have been admiring the Ranger Tugs for many years and decided to take the plunge back in Aug of last year while at the Seattle Boat Show at Shilshole Bay Marina. We finalized the purchase of our new R29 in Sept and are very excited to start exploring the PNW waters and meet fellow Tug owners. This is our first boat purchase, and even though we have done some boating in the past with family and friends, we still have a lot to learn. One of the many things that appealed to us about the Ranger tugs is this wonderful forum in which Tug owners can share information with each other and the great folks at Ranger Tugs. Another thing we really like about our boat is the ability to trailer it. As of now, we do not have a home port, and when not in use, our boat is kept on a trailer near our home in Kent, WA.

Linda and I were able to enjoy our boat for about a month before I left on another year long deployment with the military. Our plan was for me to take my mid tour leave sometime in the late spring or early summer and for us to spend most of it on our boat exploring the San Juan Islands. Unfortunately, when I put in for my leave, the only block of time left available was in late Feb. Even though this is much earlier than we had hoped for, we are still planning on going to the San Juan Islands, weather permitting. I guess Linda and I will be testing the year round capability of our Ranger Tug. On a positive note, being the off season, we should have the islands all to ourselves and have no problem finding good places to anchor. If anyone else will be out boating in the northern PS area between 11 and 26 Feb, give us a jingle.

I am also trying to put together a packing list of spare parts, tools, and boating misc, that would be nice to have on our boat while cruising in the PNW. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Welcome aboard the Sparks... You will find this group a wealth of knowledge and help...

I know nothing about the PNW though I intend to get there in the next couple of years... However, long ago when I was the newest member of the GM salaried ranks I was in the same boat as you - I got to pick my vacation time and the use of the company RV from the left over weeks after the senior executives used up the good times... As a result, for several years we took the kids camping around the shores of Lake Superior in the first 2 weeks of May...
We were essentially the only tourists on the Lake at that time... There was ice in the wash basin in the mornings and little patches of snow in the shadows behind trees... We had a wonderful time... We were treated like kings by the indian fishing guides, there were no - as in zero - bugs... There was little traffic on the roads... We could park overnight at any local park and be the only ones there; no loud music - except from our kids day tent, oy vey what a racket...

I don't know that you will have a similar experience, but I hope so... You will likely need auxiliary heat... You might want to have the wife get a diesel heater installed on the bulkhead while you are gone, that way you are not limited to plugging in at the dock to stay warm...

cheers,
 
We too would like to welcome you aboard,

We also have a R-29 and have a trailer for it. If you have any questions on towing your boat I would be happy to share my experience.
I have towed my Ranger for thousands of miles and find it to be quite easy.
We happen to have our boat in southern California for the winter. At this time we are sitting on a mooring in Avalon on Catalina island enjoying high 60's to low 70's.
If you feel up to it you could tow that Ranger of yours down to southern Cal and boat where it is warm. I am out for two weeks this time and will be back for a couple more next month. I would be happy to show you around the channel islands if you desire.
Their is another R-29 in San Pedro that you could hook up with also. I store my boat up in the channel islands area and launch from there. Lots of great boating here!

Well time to put on my shorts and sun glasses and take the dog for his dinghy ride.

Happy boating,
Stuart
 
Well time to put on my shorts and and sun glasses and take the dog for his dinghy ride.
=======================================================================

Stuart, tsk, tsk, tsk.... If you keep up this mad pace you will need a vacation...
 
Well Denny-o, all I can say is that since Ranger built a trailerable yacht, I can now have my cake and eat it too!
I kind of like going from 8000' in the mountains to boating in nice weather. I will take a vacation in a couple of weeks back to the mountains if that makes you feel any better.

 
Gentlemen ... thanks to both of you for responding to my post.

Denny-O, regarding your comment on cabin heat, we are good to go. Our boat was a factory demo for a couple months and is well equipped. It has a factory installed Webasto forced air furnace which works quite well. Linda has given it 2 thumbs up! However, I do have some questions for you on LED replacement bulbs but will go to your post dated 26 Dec and ask them there.

Stuart, if I had another week of leave, I would take you up on your offer to show us around the Channel Islands ... maybe next winter. Unfortunately, I only have 15 days to visit with family, complete a few chores around the house, and then try and spend at least 8-10 days on the boat. I also forgot to mention that we do not have the proper tow vehicle for our new boat and trailer. My next project is to research and shop for a HD truck. What are you using to tow your boat around?

Thanks,
Wayne
 
Wayne,
I use a 2005 Dodge turbo diesel, 3/4 ton. It has towed the boat very well. The duramax diesel trucks are very good also.
It needs to be a diesel no matter which one you pick. I love my dodge and would do it all over again.
What kind of trailer did you go with. I went with the float on because it is much lighter then the EZ Loader but just as strong . It is a very well built trailer.

I am towing a total of 14000lbs with boat and trailer. I never tow long distance without making sure I have only about 15gal of fuel and no water or waste in the tanks. Why tow all the extra weight? I will tow it full of fuel when I am towing locally though.

Please feel free to call me anytime if you want to talk in detail about towing. I am always eager to help.

Stuart Royston
970-946-3156
 
Wayne, ask away about LED bulbs... I gave myself an advanced education on them... I did settle on the MarineBeam bulbs because of his superior engineering of the bulbs with controlling of both voltage and current through the LEDs... As a result they are a couple of dollars a bulb more than other sources, but should perform well under adverse circumstances of wildly varying voltages...

If you want a specific discussion drop me a private email through this web site...

cheers,
 
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