Newbie in Tug Land

[tmphoto]

Well, long story but I saw a C-Dory in my Boat US Mag and it went down hill from there 😀

It seems that my wife and I are perfect candidates for being future tugnuts! We love travel and being on the water, we dreamed for years of owning a houseboat but did not like the idea of being confined to one lake. So, we bought a truck camper so we could haul our Yamaha runabout all over the country and enjoy many different bodies of water. We are based in Nashville, TN but have been to the Keys, the Gulf Coast and Lake Powell this year with our Truck Camper and Boat. I am really in love with the R-27 right now... Yellow or Seafoam Green?? Oh, well I have plenty of time to decide on the color while I wait on my $150k Government Stimulus Check :lol:

It does sort of take me back a bit thinking of spending that kind of money on a cute little tug boat but I cannot imagine anything I would rather do with my time than explore the lakes, rivers and coastline of this great land.

Thinking I might rig one up as a Boaterhome with RV Air and Honda Generator to replace the need for the Truck Camper getting from A to B. I have seen several C-Dory's with RV Air but not sure I have seen a Ranger Tug, any ideas how that would work out? Also thinking there has to be some sort of mod I can make to have black and gray water drain to an RV sewer drain or maybe to a 35 gal rolling holding tank like I use for long stays with no sewer connection?

Let's see, I can sell the Yamaha and the Truck Camper, that should get me half way to my goal! Might take me a year or 2 to get my plan together but definitely see a "Lone Ranger" Script on the back of a Green or Yellow Tug in my future!

 

[JerryE]

ADVICE:
1. Never, ever on this site or in any communication with a Ranger (male) owner use the word "cute" in any way associated with our super-charged, diesel powered TUG boats. You might get away with using the "c" word in a post about a Cutwater (there aren't enough of them to rebel in mass) but I'd be careful, even there.

2. I hope you have a diesel truck. My F350 is gas and is fine for short trips, but I wouldn't want to haul my R25 long distance.

3. There's lots of stuff, if you search, on this forum about the size of a generator needed for AC in case you want to use your Honda in place of a factory bought generator to run onboard AC on the water. Get the Honda 2000, but then there are problems about using it on board, carbon monoxide fume control, storing it, etc. You have to carry gas for it, but then you would if you had an outboard; although, you need only a few ounces if you buy a Honda 2 or Suzuki 2.5. If you get a portable AC, just stay in campgrounds and plug it in.

4. Yellow is better than Sea Foam. Dark Blue is best.

5. You are in luck, Kimosabe! No one on Tugnuts is called Lone Ranger.

6. Get an Air Head composting head, and you will have no black water outflow to worry about. Just search Air Head on this forum to read our intelligent debates over this option.

 

[tmphoto]

Jerry, Thanks for the sage advice!

Lone Ranger it is! Thinking I could name the Dingy Tonto! Reminds me of a great Lyle Lovett song named If I had a boat.

I will refrain from using the C word in the future 😱

I think you may be right about the yellow! Not sure the Blue makes the cut for me but then again, I am a grown man that used the C word, must have to do with my art background or maybe I am suffering from Low T in my old age :lol:

That Air Head looks like it may be the ticket, might even put one of those in my Truck Camper, yes, I do have the Cummins Diesel in my Dually and 4.10 gears which kill my mileage but would work well towing a large masculine diesel powered tug boat!

Does the Air Head have an odor issue? That would be my first and really only concern about a composting head.

Looking forward to learning more from fellow TugNuts and look forward to being an owner at some point.

 

[Stella Maris]

Dark blue is great if you love water spots and any imperfection in the hull. We had the Claret Red on Solitude. First dark hulled boat, last dark hulled boat. Like a black car, looks great when it is all cleaned and waxed. Then you take it to the corner for a gallon of milk and........ well you know. Time to clean it again.

The other consideration is the size of Ranger you buy. I personally like the red R-21.

You could always live on the edge here. Go with a white hull with a black water line, sheer stripe, and eyebrows. No stripe on the house. Black canvas to offset. Or go after the Foss Tugboat Fleet colors! A mid shade of green, bright yellow house stripe, bright yellow eyebrows........

How about a black hull with red stripes..... But, there is that dark hull thing again.....

For the right price, I think Ranger would do whatever color combination you want!

 

[captain's cat]

Banker friend is looking to buy a tug. He's gonna call it LOAN ARRANGER :mrgreen:

Charlie

 

[tmphoto]

I like Loan Arranger! That is a good name. I honestly have plenty of time to think about the color as the R-27 is quite an expensive boat. Big jump from my $40k Yamaha. I like the 21 and the Dory 22's but my wife is pretty set on having a shower head. May have to find a deal on a Dory 25 and grow into an R-27. I do think I like the Seafoam Green the best, reminds me of the Keys where I plan on spending a lot of time on the boat.

 

[JerryE]

Hey tmphoto,

Call the dinghy "Paint." Let's see how many of us are old enough to recognize where that came from. Hint: forget "Silver." BTW, silver would be a perfect hull color. You could bondo any hull damage and they spray it with Rustoleum. I still spray silver paint on everything. Fix it and spray it. I even tried it on my sneakers but it got on my socks due to holes in the sneakers. Holes are there to let water out, I told my wife. I had no response to her comment that maybe I should have removed the sneakers before spraying. I may follow her advice next time.

If the 27 is pricey, think about a 25. That's why they make them... Also, there are used ones coming on the market, as folks trade up. A diesel with 200-400 hours on it is just getting broken in.

Zero odor in my Air Head. There's lots of posts about toilets, sigh, on TugNuts. It took me a week of early mornings, but I read every post starting with the early ones on C-Brats (where Ranger started out) before buying Alto 8 months ago. You will discover that every question you are thinking of asking (because they are intelligent questions, of course) has been asked and answered on TugNuts already. You'll see debates over which boat to buy and why, which will help you decide. Just the dinghy debate (what, where and how) can spin your head.

With your "cute" truck you can trailer any Ranger anywhere!

There are several of us chatting about being in the Florida keys for a cruise to several months this coming winter. If you follow along on this forum you'll learn who and when, probably. It is very likely that you and your wife would be welcome to visit and cruise with us there. I hope to be there a week a month in Key Largo in the winter.

BTW, don't listen to Karma. Water spots and imperfections in a blue hull add character! Red oxidizes and crumbles away to dust before your eyes without constant attention. I'd have to drink a ton of beers to watch Frank's constant efforts to keep Ainokea shiny... Wears me out watching people work, but someone has to drink the beer. Still, I admit to being somewhat smitten with Karma's yellow hull...

 

[tmphoto]

Thanks for the Great info Jerry!

Gotta Love the "Cute" Truck statement touche :mrgreen:

I think I saw in one of your posts that you have a Truck Camper as well? We have been searching for a spot in the keys to boondock as most of the state parks are booked a year in advance. Do you have any ideas on a location for dry camping?

 

[tmphoto]

Spent the afternoon with Marc at Wefings hopping around on boats. It seems that Marc and I are brothers from different mothers as we have quite a bit in common. We really love the R27 and can see that being our dream boat to adventure on the water. Question for current owners, do you typically anchor up for the night or do you try to find a marina? Thinking in the keys, is it difficult to find quiet and calm spots to anchor for the night around Key Largo and Islamorada? Just trying to visualize spending a week or 2 on the boat exploring and not being tied to a campground for the overnights. This would be a major advantage for us to stay on the boat in the keys and not have to worry about reservations and the cost of campgrounds or slip rental. Still working on the financial plan, pretty tuff with a kid in college but where there is a will there is a way. Mighty overwhelming to see that big beast on a trailer 😀 Too bad I was driving my daughter's Jeep, might have been tempted to knock Marc in the head with a catalytic converter he had laying around and hook that beast to my Truck :mrgreen:

 

[knotflying]

The question you ask about marina V Anchor all depends on what you are looking for for the night. When we cruise we do a combination some nights in marinas to take care of business, stock up supplies, visit town, eat dinner out, A long hot shower, do laundry. When you want solitude, view nature, explore in your dingy, then anchor it is. We will be doing a cruise starting in Ft Pierce then looping through Okeechobee down to Key West and then Back to Ft Pierce this winter and plan on Anchoring and Marinas.

 

[Bay Ranger]

Sounds like the potential exists for a 'mini gathering' of Ranger Tugs in Florida this winter. So far I hear Knotflying and Alto will be there. Bay Ranger plans to winter on Marathon, Ainokea is already down there and there's a chance Snug Tug may head south as well. Are there others?

 

[thataway]

Dark colors in gel coats look great for the first few years--then if you want to keep a dark color, be prepared to paint the boat with two part LP (not a cheap job). If you keep the boat in a covered garage--then the dark colors will last fine. Also dark hulls are hotter and a bit more difficult to cool in high ambient temperature environment areas. I have over 50 years experience of various color hulls, for those who might want to debate this.

There is no reason that any of the tugs could not be fitted out with a roof RV type of AC unit. This is common in real ICW tug boat wheel houses, Army Corp of Engineer boats and I have done several recreational boats (see my CBrat "Thataway" album for the proper way to frame and fit a roof air in a fiberglass boat.

Although one has to use safety precautions with any generator (I have seen CO problems with a diesel genset). The Honda EU 2000 will run up to a 9300 BTU roof air easily. The "Dometic Smart Start" will allow the use of even larger AC unit. There are many advantages, even on the water of the roof air (no problem with seaweed, mud, running aground, jelly fish, fish in the strainer, a burned out water pump etc). Plus the AC can be run in camp grounds, and when the boat is on a lift as well as a trailer. in the long run, it is better for the boat.

As for black water and grey water tanks--they are fairly easy to pump out. You can use either a manual or electric diaphragm pump, out of the pump out fitting. A greywater tank could be fitted to any of the boats--then an over deck pump out fitting and you are good to go. You want to be sure that you have a tight fitting with septic sewer systems in camp grounds if you pump out in one.

 

[Dale777]

Sounds like the potential exists for a 'mini gathering' of Ranger Tugs in Florida this winter. So far I hear Knotflying and Alto will be there. Bay Ranger plans to winter on Marathon, Ainokea is already down there and there's a chance Snug Tug may head south as well. Are there others?

Tangent will also be in Florida in Jan/Feb of 2012, in the vicinity of Ft. Myers Beach and cruising to wherever from there.

 

[tuggin aweigh]

Tuggin Aweigh will be in Florida mid-January thru early March. We haven't decided on an itenerary at this point. Would be interested in a get together.

Tuggin Aweigh
Pam and Frank

 

[Kirk]

The history of this post is long and deep. Where do you start?

JerryE is a poet.

People come to Ranger Tugs from different directions. My wife and I were sailors. Most power boats are ugly dysfunctional Tupperware containers for people who know and care nothing about nautical traditions, function, and beauty. Ranger Tugs, along with Nordic Tugs, Grand Banks, and a few others, are a bridge that gives us a great boating option,

 

[knotflying]

Knotflying ( Boat name is ILLUSIONS) will be starting our cruise from the Fort Pierce area and then heading through Okeechobee to FT Myers and then down to Key West and then back up on the east side. We plan on starting our trip in the second week of January. Can't say wher we will be and when, but maybe a gathering will be possible. We are going a little off topic here!
Our Hull color is Laureen Green. Besides my wife liking the color (always an important factor) I thought having a light color would avoid seeing scratches (the first one always hurts the most) less fading and less visability of salt build up.

 

[JerryE]

Dear tmphoto,

RE: Florida Keys camping vs boating

I'm assuming you are presently hauling a C-Dory with a truck with a slide-in camper aboard. During my whirlwind visit to the Keys I briefly looked at some KOA Kampground kind of places because they had "marinas" where I thought Alto might live at lower cost. These turn out to be shallow places without power or water, typically. There are many RV parks with trailers, a couple of which were congested, but attractive. Most were congested and not attractive. Such places cater to long-term folks who leave trailers there all year. The prices were shocking. I got a rate sheet from a small RV camp on Stock Island (last key right before Key West) which had a seawall you could tie up your boat to without power, right in front or close to your camper. It's called Geiger Key Marina & RV Park. I was astounded that "waterfront" weekly RV storage for Oct-April was $672 ($756 w tax) and May-Sept was $600, and $2100 ($2362.50 w tax) and $1800 per month, respectively. Non-water front (i.e., sitting back 50 feet from the sea wall) Winter storage was $600 and $480 per week and $1800 and $1440 per month, add in tax. So your cheapest option to bring an RV for a month to them was $1800 ($2025 w tax) in season for non-waterfront space. Oh, add in $11 per foot for your boat ($275/month for an R25 and no power or water), so you're talking around $2300 per month. I learned it is usually way cheaper to stay in a marina (figure $300-$600/month) than mess with an RV park, only a couple of which were really attractive; i.e., right on the water. And, those looked full with year-round tenants.

An exception would be the state parks in the Keys, some of which allow RV's darn near being right on the beach. Here's a list of all the Parks: http://floridastateparks.reserveame...Code=FL&parkId=281050&topTabIndex=CampingSpot. You're right about them being booked a long time ahead. I have a Northern Lite truck camper and have, for many years, taken it out on the beach at Race Point (Provincetown) and Sandy Neck on Cape Cod, MA. We can stay 3 days or till the tanks are full, and its an experience likely only second to being on the hook during nice calm weather... Driving by Long Key State Park we saw widely spaced tents and RVs along a dirt road just back from the beach. They even have electric, here's a map of their locations: http://floridastateparks.reserveame...ctedSiteRb=1466&contractCode=FL&parkId=281050 I could not get prices, but they can't be too bad. A truck camper would be perfect in such a setting. However, given the long reservation waits (Long Key is closing for renovations in Oct for an unspecified time) other options need to be considered. There are marinas where you can leave your boat on the trailer. Then stay elsewhere in the truck camper.

The message here, is that it can be much more affordable to stay on a boat than in a camper in the Keys. Instead of looking for a campground with marina facilities, look for a marina that might allow you to crash occasionally in your truck camper in their parking lot. The cheapest way to leave a boat in the Keys (if you are not living on it full time) is to store the boat on its trailer; if you own a trailer and can, drive your truck down to visit the boat. Keep a truck camper on the truck for bad weather. All but a couple marinas in downtown Key West had parking, and would likely turn a blind eye if you stayed in your truck camper a night or two. For example, La Siesta Marina way down Islamorada has a gorgeous new facility on the ICW (protected west side) and will let you store your boat on its trailer in its parking lot for $250/month (that's right, $250/month not per week). You hook up your truck and back it down the ramp. You can then stay in their marina on a floating dock for $1/foot, what's that on a C-Dory–hmmm, less than $25/nite. Cleanest bathrooms we saw in the Keys. OK, they are often full, but wait! La Siesta has its main facility on the East side, where they have shallow draft docks on Hawk's Channel (ocean) perfect for a C-Dory so just go over there, or go hang on the hook or visit other marinas when you are down visiting. Did I mention that your $250 per month gets you full resort privileges, including the daily continental breakfast. The main marina is isolated and private, and thus likely to not sweat it if you move back and forth between the truck camper and boat. You can see the two marinas on either side of the Key: http://lasiestaresort.com/islamorada-marina.htm Now that I think of it, you don't even need a truck camper if you have a Ranger as you just stay in your boat whether it's on the trailer or in the water as long as you pay for on-the-trailer storage somewhere.

The second cheapest way is (if you are not living on it full time) is to consider rack storage. The new racks and forklifts can handle our heavy boats, although I think not for an R29. You can leave your mast up and some marinas will plug you in, but if you have solar panels your batteries will be OK if stored outside.

As I described in my blog about my Keys trip mentioned somewhere else on TugNuts, I'm planning on $250 per month outside rack storage on Key Largo in a nice marina, and they'll put the boat in the water on a floating dock for the week a month I'd visit in the winter. They allow me to use the dock and electric for free unless they're filled with transients and then I can just bite the bullet and pay $50/day to stay, or move to John Pennekemp state marina ($26/nite including electric) or off on a voyage to anchor. Worst case scenario is $600/month to stay a full week during the high season in the keys on a floating dock with two nice restaurants right at the marina. I rent cars in Ft. Lauderdale for under $100 (including taxes) per week and Jet Blue and Southwest airfare ain't bad. BTW, during Spring Break that can jump to $1000+ per week, so plan ahead! Consider leaving the boat there even if you can't stay on it full time. Takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to Key Largo, further down the Keys takes longer. If the wife is doing crafts (forget her going boating then!) go down with a friend and split everything down the middle. If you are in a northern clime (like me) why not store the boat in Florida, especially if you pay for marina storage up North? Your floating miniature FL condo then awaits.

 

[tmphoto]

There is no reason that any of the tugs could not be fitted out with a roof RV type of AC unit. This is common in real ICW tug boat wheel houses, Army Corp of Engineer boats and I have done several recreational boats (see my CBrat "Thataway" album for the proper way to frame and fit a roof air in a fiberglass boat.

Although one has to use safety precautions with any generator (I have seen CO problems with a diesel genset). The Honda EU 2000 will run up to a 9300 BTU roof air easily. The "Dometic Smart Start" will allow the use of even larger AC unit. There are many advantages, even on the water of the roof air (no problem with seaweed, mud, running aground, jelly fish, fish in the strainer, a burned out water pump etc). Plus the AC can be run in camp grounds, and when the boat is on a lift as well as a trailer. in the long run, it is better for the boat.

As for black water and grey water tanks--they are fairly easy to pump out. You can use either a manual or electric diaphragm pump, out of the pump out fitting. A greywater tank could be fitted to any of the boats--then an over deck pump out fitting and you are good to go. You want to be sure that you have a tight fitting with septic sewer systems in camp grounds if you pump out in one.

Thanks for the helpful advice Thataway. It does seem to be a more versatile setup with a roof mounted RV A/C. I have seen some of your photos on your install, very nice work. I am also thinking of an Air Head and maybe convert the black water tank to gray water or additional fuel or fresh water. Not sure which would be in the greatest demand?

 

[tmphoto]

Dear tmphoto,

RE: Florida Keys camping vs boating

I'm assuming you are presently hauling a C-Dory with a truck with a slide-in camper aboard.

Thanks again JerryE,

No, actually, we have a 24' Yamaha Jet Powered Run About.

An exception would be the state parks in the Keys, some of which allow RV's darn near being right on the beach. Here's a list of all the Parks: http://floridastateparks.reserveame...Code=FL&parkId=281050&topTabIndex=CampingSpot. You're right about them being booked a long time ahead. I have a Northern Lite truck camper and have, for many years, taken it out on the beach at Race Point (Provincetown) and Sandy Neck on Cape Cod, MA. We can stay 3 days or till the tanks are full, and its an experience likely only second to being on the hook during nice calm weather... Driving by Long Key State Park we saw widely spaced tents and RVs along a dirt road just back from the beach. They even have electric, here's a map of their locations: http://floridastateparks.reserveame...ctedSiteRb=1466&contractCode=FL&parkId=281050 I could not get prices, but they can't be too bad. A truck camper would be perfect in such a setting. However, given the long reservation waits (Long Key is closing for renovations in Oct for an unspecified time) other options need to be considered. There are marinas where you can leave your boat on the trailer. Then stay elsewhere in the truck camper.

Thanks for the heads up, construction in John Pennekamp is exactly how we were able to snag a reservation last year. We just watched the calendars until the day they opened up for new bookings and booked our stay.

For example, La Siesta Marina way down Islamorada has a gorgeous new facility on the ICW (protected west side) and will let you store your boat on its trailer in its parking lot for $250/month (that's right, $250/month not per week). You hook up your truck and back it down the ramp. You can then stay in their marina on a floating dock for $1/foot, what's that on a C-Dory–hmmm, less than $25/nite. Cleanest bathrooms we saw in the Keys. OK, they are often full, but wait! La Siesta has its main facility on the East side, where they have shallow draft docks on Hawk's Channel (ocean) perfect for a C-Dory so just go over there, or go hang on the hook or visit other marinas when you are down visiting. Did I mention that your $250 per month gets you full resort privileges, including the daily continental breakfast. The main marina is isolated and private, and thus likely to not sweat it if you move back and forth between the truck camper and boat. You can see the two marinas on either side of the Key: http://lasiestaresort.com/islamorada-marina.htm Now that I think of it, you don't even need a truck camper if you have a Ranger as you just stay in your boat whether it's on the trailer or in the water as long as you pay for on-the-trailer storage somewhere.

La Siesta looks very nice. We might check with them and see if we rent a slip for the month if we could boondock in the Truck Camper in the parking lot at night. Would be worth a bit more money to leave the boat in the water and maybe even sleep on the boat in good weather.

How much time do you plan on staying at anchor in your Ranger? Just curious as we are looking at the projected budget of traveling with a Ranger and not sure how often we might use a paid slip vs sleeping on the hook.