Newbie Introduction - It all started with "What If"

[MikeinLA]

Hello all. I just joined your great forum and thought I would say Hi. I currently sail a Catalina 36 out of Los Angeles, but a funny thing happened at a boat show a few years ago. I stepped aboard what I believed at the time to be the most incredible, well layed-out and most beautiful little tugboat that I had ever seen. It was the R-25, I think. Almost immediately, a thought popped into my mind. What if I bought one of these boats in Annapolis and putted down the ICW to Florida? I've always wanted to see the ICW and I could sell the boat after my adventure was over. I should stop and explain that I am wifeless, so I would be singlehanding most likely unless I could lure someone into going along. The Ranger looked like the perfect solo boat. Later, I started to think, what if I finished my adventure and parked her in Florida for a while. I could fly over and cruise her to the Bahamas or the Keys for a few weeks at a time. I'll explain further that my son has a few years of college left and I have a great business here in L.A., so I'm not ready to pull up stakes yet. But, then I learned two words that might end up having changed my life. Great Loop. The thought of seeing our great country from the water beat the heck out of any thoughts of a motor home. And so it goes. Step by step, my "What Ifs" grow. I had a vacation planned for October to finally visit the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis and then spend a week in DC sightseeing. Wouldn't you know that the same weekend as the show is the Trawlerfest in Baltimore. Guess who will be climbing all over the Rangers? You folks have chosen a great boat to invest your dreams in and, with any luck, I'll be joining you. Now I'd better get back to reading the old posts.

Mike

PS - I already have her name picked out, does that mean I'm in trouble? 😀

 

[dpiano]

Hi Mike

We are also new Tugnuts, in Portland OR. We have a 36 grand banks and hope to trade up to a Ranger 27 someday soon.

Regarding loops, check out the book "River Horse" by William Least Heat Moon, Houghton Mifflin 1999. He piloted a C-Dory across the US, and the book is filled with great stories about "what if". It's a great read, and will stoke your dreams.

Denis

 

[captain's cat]

Mike, you got bitten badly.... Stop and see us when you make the turn into the Potomac from C-Bay. I've had a R-27 at the pier but not an R-25. You might look at the 27 too, it's a neat boat!

Happy sailing/boating!!

Charlie

 

[Levitation]

Mike, you are hooked, an addict, hopeless... And there is no 12 step program to bring you back...
So, hock the family heirlooms, cash out your life insurance, and join us in addiction...

 

[captain's cat]

Right on Denny.... Better yet, get one of those new life insurance policies (primarily for boaters) where they give you the money NOW and whey you pass on, your kids have to pay it back... :mrgreen:

Charlie

 

[Stella Maris]

Mike, Mike, Mike...... there is no cure for what you have. As the others have said, just sell the farm and call it good. Life will be so much better for you......

You are right about single handing an R-25. They are very simple and easy to do. The R-29 is just as easy also.

You are aware, LA is just a very short hop from the PNW. We have the 3rd annual Ranger Tug Rendezvous coming up quickly on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September. You should seriously consider coming up for it. It will give you the opportunity to talk to over fifty current owners as well as crawl all over most of the boats. Along with that, the factory will be present with all models of the Rangers and Cutwaters.

The other thing you will notice is the great boating in the PNW. Not knocking the ICW or the loop, just with having to commute to your new boat for weekends, holidays, and vacations, the PNW would be much less hassle. Once you do get the kid out of college and sell the business, then move your tug east.

Good luck with your decision! Let me know if you would like a hotel room for the Rendezvous!
David