New Ranger R-23

[ttlmac]

Does anyone know if this is a planing or semi displacement hull design? Seems like most outboards are on planing hulls, but Ranger Tugs are all semi displacement hulls. It will be interesting to see the performance numbers.

 

[Irish Mist]

There is a video of the cut water on plane .. Looks pretty good .. Hopefully there will be a similar video once the 23 is dialed in .. I'm positive with 300 hp you can water ski .. On the 23.. With that power I wonder if the hull will be similar to the Cut Water ... Will be interesting.. I think everyone agrees the 21 is a classic design which will stand the test of a long time.. It is my favorite looking tug

 

[Two killicks]

Does anyone know if this is a planing or semi displacement hull design? Seems like most outboards are on planing hulls, but Ranger Tugs are all semi displacement hulls. It will be interesting to see the performance numbers.

That is the first thing that came to my mind, planing or semi displacement... come on RT, we want more info!

 

[Jake]

Does anyone know if this is a planing or semi displacement hull design? Seems like most outboards are on planing hulls, but Ranger Tugs are all semi displacement hulls. It will be interesting to see the performance numbers.

Ahh, great question. Picture (sketch) looks like a semi displacement hull. Certainly not the double step golf ball dimpled hull from the Cutwater 24. But that's okay with me, I like the idea of the slower going semi displacement hull.

 

[bradcarolR29S]

I am not an NA, but running some numbers can lead to reasonable speculation on the boat's likely performance. Using the factory specs for dry weight and horse power, here are the ratios for various boats in the Ranger and Cutwater lines.


RT 23. 170HP 5000# .034
RT 23 200HP. 5000# .04
RT 25 150HP. 6250# .024
RT 29S 260HP 10500 # .025
RT 31 300HP. 11000# .027


CW 24 300HP 4900# .06
CW 28 260HP 8000# .032
CW 30 370HP 10200# .036
CW 30 435HP 10200# .043

From these numbers, it looks like the new 23 will likely perform more like the Cutwater boats.
Brad

 

[jimschu]

My two cents worth.

I have had several Ranger products over the years from a 11' sailboat, 18 double ender, R-21, 25SC and currently a R-29 which is currently for sale in Seattle. Many years ago I asked Jeff when RT was coming out with something bigger than the 21 and a bit faster. Well that pretty much turned into the 25. In 2012 we bought a 25SC, three months later we upgraded to a used 2011 R-29. Well as time goes on we found out one of us wasn't quite the cruiser she thought she would be. Living in Seattle we keep getting shut down on both salmon and crab seasons which is my thing.
We winter in Surprise AZ. So a few days ago on tugnuts RT announces a new model, the R-23. So I'm looking at what info is available and I call Andrew and a couple of days later put down a deposit for a May delivery.
Some benefits to me are First its a Ranger where service is absolutely the best. The style really appealed to me, still a great tug for two, more speed and less maintenance. Yamaha outboards are among the best.
Opens more fishing and crabbing locations. Debating the need for a bow thruster but getting to my mid 70's would make thing easier. Looks like a trip to the Seattle boat show is in the works.

Jim

 

[Jake]

Congrats Jim, awesome choice in my opinion. So what made the RT-23 a better fit for you over the Cutwater 24?

Jake

 

[Irish Mist]

Jim
You will be the go to guy for tug comparisons.. you would be great at the boat shows having experience with most of the line 🙂 It sure speaks volumes of the product when there are so many boats out there and Ranger Tug owners make multiple purchases within the company..
Congratulations on your new arrival.

 

[jimschu]

Thank you,

When we decided to downsize #1 was to go with an outboard and #2 was something that was comfortable for several adults on day trips and still have good accommodations for two for a 6 or 7 day cruise. #3 had to be user friendly for fishing and crabbing, and with an outboard the cockpit has more room than the IO model. With the outboard tilted up out of the water you eliminate the need for a diver changing the zincs every three months.
I really believe the 23 should cruise in the low to mid 20's knot range and hopefully get 3plus mpg. I really like the style.
If Ranger tug offered the E-tec I would have gone that route but I'm pretty sure only the Yamaha is offered. I am still figuring out if dry moorage will work out better than salt water moorage.
So, we shall see how it goes.

Jim

 

[Irish Mist]

It is an outboard, could you not request a different one ? I have been away from these things for a while, but I would think it would just be a matter of different controls . But I have learned though experience things are never as simple as you think they should be with new tech.

 

[dencarst]

I notice on facebook they had pictures of what the new would look like.

Dennis

 

[Jake]

Love the outboard. Amazes me how Ranger (and others) are able to design smaller and smaller models with the same basic features of the larger models, (berth, head, galley, dinette), just a bit tighter each iteration. The head is a bit of a compromise in the new 23 model but personally I like having it out of the way and keeping the view open 360 degrees in the cabin. Especially since I would use this more as a day boat and not an extended period cruiser.

Jake

 

[Namaste]

Unfortunately the R23 reminds me of why we ended up buying an R25 rather than a Rosborough. The head in the bed. We live aboard mostly and that would be a major drawback for us.

 

[Jake]

Unfortunately the R23 reminds me of why we ended up buying an R25 rather than a Rosborough. The head in the bed. We live aboard mostly and that would be a major drawback for us.

I noticed Ranger promotes the boat as: "The perfect weekender". I would agree that is an accurate description.

Jake

 

[knotflying]

Haven't really head much feedback on the cutwater 24. Anyone else seen it or heard about how it fits into the fleet? It would be interesting to see what the performance differences actually are and why one would choose the tug over the cutwater other than style.

 

[RonB]

...why one would choose the tug over the cutwater other than style.

Having checked out some of the bigger RTs and CWs at dealers, as I understand it, the key differences between RTs and CWs are design and handling. Generally, RTs are go-slow boats that turn with a more even keel for cruising, while CWs are faster and lean into corners like a sport boat. Apparently CWs are being purchased by a younger crowd, so choosing between a RT and a CW is all about personal preference and ... age. 😀

Ron

 

[Jake]

...why one would choose the tug over the cutwater other than style.

Having checked out some of the bigger RTs and CWs at dealers, as I understand it, the key differences between RTs and CWs are design and handling. Generally, RTs are go-slow boats that turn with a more even keel for cruising, while CWs are faster and lean into corners like a sport boat. Apparently CWs are being purchased by a younger crowd, so choosing between a RT and a CW is all about personal preference and ... age. 😀

Ron

The CWs (except for the CW24) to me are go faster RTs but still semi displacement. In videos they look very bow high in go fast mode. Great to have the go fast option but not the way I would want to operate the boat. The CW24 appears to be a true planing boat so much less bow high in go fast mode. But with this type of hull you lose the in-between speeds which I believe you have with the semi displacement hull. Not sure what you will get with the RT23, sketch looks like a similar hull as the larger RTs, less hp than the CW24 with the outboard but about the same weight. Anxious to see how she performs.

Jake

 

[Jake]

Unfortunately the R23 reminds me of why we ended up buying an R25 rather than a Rosborough. The head in the bed. We live aboard mostly and that would be a major drawback for us.

Currently the Rosborough is available with the head in the cabin as in the R25. Maybe that's a recent option.

 

[jld]

I love the lines of this new boat, so much that it taken me from a lurker to wanting to post about it! 😀

With an 8'6" beam, a 200 hp Yamaha on a bracket (easy to service/get serviced), lots of storage under the cockpit, enclosed head, Garmin 7610/refrigerator/microwave/leds all standard for $95,000, I think this boat will be a big hit!

Add a trailer, radar, heater, and you could be all in at about $110,000. I think this is a lot of bang for the buck.

Wish I wasn't 4 - 5 years away from buying a boat (daughter still in college)!

I am looking forward to seeing pictures of the actual boat.

JimD

p.s. Outboard on a transom bracket would be a great option on the 21, as it would make for a huge open cockpit. With a camperback, this would be a large enclosed area!

 

[jld]

Looks like the new R-23 is soon going on display. This is from the Ranger Tugs website:

The all new Ranger Tugs R-23 will debut at the following 2016 boat shows:

Canadian Debut: Vancouver International Boat Show - January 20th - 24th, 2016

U.S. West Coast Debut: Seattle International Boat Show - January 29th - 6th, 2016

U.S. East Coast Debut: Miami International Boat Show - February 11th - 15th, 2016

Looks like we may get to see some pictures (and maybe a video?) of the new boat soon.

Jim