Newbie looking for a "mentor" to help get me started

R

ropedrag

New member
Joined
Mar 7, 2023
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2
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Well….. I’m old enough to be a few years away from retirement and now that I’ve done about everything else there is to do it’s time to try boating. It’s amazing the things I’ve been fortunate enough to do…. except for anything that involved a boat, so when it comes to boating, I’m a bit out of my element.

So, there I was, minding my own business when I was immediately hooked having stumbling across Ranger Tugs on youtube. After giving some thought to the possibilities along with discovering the following/culture/lifestyle I’d say I’m in… However due to the costs involved with getting setup I’d like to reach out to the group and ask if anyone would be willing to “mentor” me a bit so I’m less likely to make poor choices as I get started.

I’m in the Seattle area (Bothell) and thus far I’m thinking a late model used R23 or 25 and would greatly appreciate a bit of your knowledge, advice, wisdom as I set off on this new adventure.
 
Funny, I was always told it doesn't take "age" to retire . . . just money! 😀

Have fun on your journey. I'm still in the "wife convincing" stage of future ownership.
 
The first thing I’d recommend is thinking about what you want to do with a boat.
Fishing, crabbing and/or shrimping? Day cruises around the Puget Sound? Marina to marina cruising in the San Juan’s? Week long cruising into Canadian waters? Couples cruising? Day trips or more with extended family and/or pets? Do you absolutely need to go fast?
What you want to do with the boat will help define what equipment and capabilities you need the boat to have. Once you decide what you want your boating adventures to be it will be much easier to select the right boat.
 
You might find some helpful stuff in my book "Cruising in a Big Way". It's available on Amazon and on the self-publishing site Lulu.com. Both have good-sized previews you can check out. Lulu also offers a PDF versiuon.
 
Welcome! My suggestion would be to charter one of the RTs or Cutwaters that are available through the various local charter companies (in Anacortes and Bellingham).

It will let you test the waters (so to speak) with little risk, and also they will provide training to get you started! It will also let you see what you think about the boat size, amenities, etc. Well worth it IMO.
 
I strongly agree.

We are also new to boating (and near retirement), and we did a boating class through Anacortes Yacht Charters - https://www.anacortesyachtcharters.com/ ... lasses.cfm

They have classes in the spring and the fall (before and after chartering season). While they do charter some ranger tugs, we took the single engine class and it was NOT on an RT. Still, we learned a lot that transferred right to our RT and had us much more ready for the 2 day factory experience when we got our RT 29S this summer.

You can also charter an RT with a captain through AYC, but it can get pretty pricy.

We are not the right people to mentor you since we just have this one summer under our belts, but we found a LOT of information on the wed. Watch all the Ranger Tug "As the Prop Turns" episodes as a start.

-Carrie
 
NewMoon":3am27rvh said:
You might find some helpful stuff in my book "Cruising in a Big Way". It's available on Amazon and on the self-publishing site Lulu.com. Both have good-sized previews you can check out. Lulu also offers a PDF versiuon.
Click to expand...

I just ordered your book. Thanks for the heads up.
 
ropedrag":auitwsx1 said:
Well….. I’m old enough to be a few years away from retirement and now that I’ve done about everything else there is to do it’s time to try boating. It’s amazing the things I’ve been fortunate enough to do…. except for anything that involved a boat, so when it comes to boating, I’m a bit out of my element.

So, there I was, minding my own business when I was immediately hooked having stumbling across Ranger Tugs on youtube. After giving some thought to the possibilities along with discovering the following/culture/lifestyle I’d say I’m in… However due to the costs involved with getting setup I’d like to reach out to the group and ask if anyone would be willing to “mentor” me a bit so I’m less likely to make poor choices as I get started.

I’m in the Seattle area (Bothell) and thus far I’m thinking a late model used R23 or 25 and would greatly appreciate a bit of your knowledge, advice, wisdom as I set off on this new adventure.
Click to expand...

How do you plan to use the boat?
 
I agree that chartering one of the RTs is best for you. Keep a note pad during your charter of all the questions that pop up so that you can clear up questions with someone experienced and gain confidence on the process.
 
Charter 4-5 times
San Juan
Comax
Vancouver
Sound
At least until you find the size for you.
Then do an all day captain on that size.
Then start looking for a Boat.

Have fun
 
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