Northwest Editions No Longer Available on Outboards

[Echotree]

Just browsing the Ranger Tugs website, I've noted that the Northwest Editions are no longer available on any of the outboard models. I'm not sure how long ago those were discontinued.

I had been planning on putting in an order for an R-27 this fall, but I unfortunately have to take Ranger Tugs off the list now. My understanding is that there's no way to run reverse cycle heat when anchored out for any length of time. I live in Southeast Alaska. Lots of rain and humidity, just like the rest of the PNW, so I need warm, dry heat to keep us warm and the dampness at bay when we overnight. A/C is pointless up here, so there's absolutely no benefit to me of the "luxury edition."

My closest harbor can't accommodate anything bigger than an R-27. Plus, I prefer the extra storage below the cockpit and less interior noise that the outboard affords. It seems like aftermarket setups are a pretty big pain if the fuel tank isn't built into the design.

I've loved the thoughtful design of Ranger Tugs for years, and until now had my heart set on one.

 

[DDean]

That’s very strange - I can’t imagine that NW edition configurations are going to disappear from the OB line up, they’re super popular. Perhaps they’re in the middle of a model lineup switch up?

I’d phone FM.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

How about installing a diesel heater! I know the outboards are gas but this would be an option.

Jim F

 

[glider4]

Call Dave at Port Boat House on Vancouver island. Their web site says they have at least one new 2024 R-27 O/B NW Edition. Perhaps more than one new 27 O/B. 1-250-720-1376
But what’s wrong with buying used? There are frequently a couple of used R-27 O/B NW Edition for sale in the WA and BC area.
Yachtworld.com shows a 2023 NW Edition owned by the RT factory for sale for $199,937. Boat has 140 hours on the engines and comes with lots of extras. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2023-r ... 7-9402953/

 

[DDean]

We have had a great experience so far purchasing our ‘24 R27 from Dave at PBH. There was a red one (demo) still available when we purchased ours a couple months ago.

 

[DDean]

PBH has two new R27 NWs right now. The red one I spoke about above and a blue one, which looks like it arrived recently.

 

[Submariner]

How about installing a diesel heater! I know the outboards are gas but this would be an option.

Jim F

Because the air conditioner and the heater would need to occupy the same space.
What you're asking is for an LE to be built without air conditioning or a NW edition be built with LFP.

Diesel heater

IMG_7432.jpeg | Boat-Upgrades {Upgrade Name}

With the seat removed, RT27-OB NW Edition. Microwave and Webasto Diesel Heater.

www.letsgochannelsurfing.com

Air conditioner

IMG_7788.jpeg | Boat-Upgrades {Upgrade Name}

Late model 2021 and newer RT27-OB LE editions have the Webasto Air Conditioners.

www.letsgochannelsurfing.com

 

[Akboaters]

Similar changes were the main driving force behind our purchase of our 2023 R23 floor model boat from the Seattle show this spring. We live in Juneau and wanted the to-be-discontinued diesel heater option and had no need for air conditioning. I’m sure you could have a Webasto heater added if necessary.

 

[Echotree]

I assume RT has some business data telling them that their customers don’t want diesel heat. Or at least not enough do to make it worthwhile to address the specific needs of those up here in the PNW, the actual home of RT.

And not only is diesel heat no longer available on anything smaller than an R29, but they don’t provide downrigger plugs and mounting pads. (Correction: see below).

So all of those features of the Northwest Edition are simply gone. No longer provided as an option going forward.

Ranger Tugs used to pride themselves (and market themselves) as a manufacturer that designed boats that are ready-to-go, with a minimum of fuss and modifications necessary to get you out there on the water, doing what you love. “Fully equipped, ready to cruise,” the website says. That was the reason Ranger Tugs has been the top of my list until now (really, the ONLY one on my list).

Now if I were to choose a RT, not only am I forced into the much more expensive “Luxury” edition, and forced to pay for features that are designed for people in hot climates, I’m robbed of the features that made Ranger Tugs perfect for the Pacific Northwest. If I want those, I have to spend thousands in aftermarket modifications elsewhere that aren’t integrated into the original (and fantastic) design, on top of the forced added expense of the needless features of the “Luxury” edition.

I know there’s financial pressures to increase profitability with any boat manufacturer. I don’t fault them for trying to run a successful business. But this seems like a cost-cutting cash grab, with no benefit to the actual boaters of the region that Ranger Tugs calls home.

Until now, RT was the one specifically for those of us here in the PNW. Now their outboard models are just another boat built for places like Florida. (And there are already plenty of other options in that market).

As a decade-long fan of Ranger Tugs who is only recently to the place where I can fulfill my dream of purchasing a new Ranger Tug, I find this really disappointing.

Say it ain’t so, RT.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...Until now, RT was the one specifically for those of us here in the PNW. Now their outboard models are just another boat built for places like Florida. (And there are already plenty of other options in that market).

As a decade-long fan of Ranger Tugs who is only recently to the place where I can fulfill my dream of purchasing a new Ranger Tug, I find this really disappointing.

Say it ain’t so, RT.

I find it ironic that RT stopped producing the boats that got them started i.e. the "trailerable trawlers". Now the 25/27 is just another deep vee outboard competing in a market flooded with similar designs. Don't know why they didn't simply modify the hull design a bit, hang a bracket on them, and switch to outboard power. They'd still have had a fairly unique product. But I suspect it has something to do with people wanting the ability to blast along at 30 knots which wouldn't happen with the old hull design.

And now as stated above they're not even targeting the market in their home territory. No doubt they're simply responding to market conditions and it is what it is. I'm just glad I've got one of the classic models. Though as it gets harder and harder for me to physically be able to work on it I have begun to contemplate something with outboard power. But RT isn't even on my radar. I've been looking at Rosborough. Which is an outboard powered semi displacement design. Imagine that...

 

[Sam Bisset]

Just browsing the Ranger Tugs website, I've noted that the Northwest Editions are no longer available on any of the outboard models. I'm not sure how long ago those were discontinued.

Hi Echotree, that change was made for the 2025 model year. The R-25 and R-27 are equipped with LiFePO4 battery banks, larger inverters, and AC units that will also provide reverse cycle heat. It's a versatile package for the PNW, I cruised on a boat with that setup last summer and used the heat and the ac within a couple days of each other. I hate to say it but I miss the AC sometimes now that my current boat doesn't have it. It's nice to have the big battery bank as well. When you don't need the heat or the AC, your capacity stretches a long way.

Downrigger plugs and pads are standard equipment for all models except the R-23 for 2025. That's why they're not on the option list anymore.

--Edit-- Hi Echotree, I reread this whole post a bit ago and I understand your situation. I just got off the phone with our GM Andrew Custis. He said he should be able to get you set up with diesel heat. I told him to chime in here when he gets a minute.

Sam

 

[Andrew Custis]

Hi Echotree, that change was made for the 2025 model year. The R-25 and R-27 are equipped with LiFePO4 battery banks, larger inverters, and AC units that will also provide reverse cycle heat. It's a versatile package for the PNW, I cruised on a boat with that setup last summer and used the heat and the ac within a couple days of each other. I hate to say it but I miss the AC sometimes now that my current boat doesn't have it. It's nice to have the big battery bank as well. When you don't need the heat or the AC, your capacity stretches a long way.

Downrigger plugs and pads are standard equipment for all models except the R-23 for 2025. That's why they're not on the option list anymore.

--Edit-- Hi Echotree, I reread this whole post a bit ago and I understand your situation. I just got off the phone with our GM Andrew Custis. He said he should be able to get you set up with diesel heat. I told him to chime in here when he gets a minute.

Sam

Thank you Sam for grouping me in. We are switching and now only building the luxury model on the outboard Ranger Tugs. There are several reasons for this which I think most would really like if they are considering a new boat down the line. For me personally, the reason I would want the LE model is more for the lithium battery bank. Being in the NW, I am really looking forward to having air conditioning as well as we depart for Desolation Sound when the average temperature is above 80 degrees right now! Not to mention, going from an 80AH usable house bank to a 600 AH usable house bank is huge. Specially when I am in Alaska and I don't go from dock to dock plugged into power.

I have had the luxury of attending a few rendezvous in Alaska and now have a much better understanding to the boating and how people do use the product. I think the lithium part of it is key and many would love to have this. I also agree with you in Alaska that the heat pump might not be the best thing but, it does work very well and it is typically a lot less maintenance to keep these going rather than the diesel heat units. We have now run these through the winter for the last two years here locally and I think it provides a more than adequate heat even in water temperatures that are very similar to Alaska. The great news is if you really don't want or plan to use it, you could always add a diesel heat unit to the boat either through us.

Keeping the build similar and not having the options in the factory allow us to have more buying power with the product we do buy, better lead times knowing exactly how we plan to equip the boat and, an ability to keep the price down without continued price increases that will help us stay in the affordable boat category we have always tried to be in.

Long story short, this boat is ready for Alaska and more ready than it ever has been. When you are ready to discuss our specials and pricing that we are offering right now, I would be more than happy to discuss how we can get you in a boat with way more features than we have done before for a much less price than you might have been use to. Please give me a shout (206)249-4225.

 

[Echotree]

Thanks for your replies, Sam and Andrew. One of the things that has long drawn me to RT is your engagement with the community.

I’m sure the beefier battery bank could definitely be useful, even up here.

The great news is if you really don't want or plan to use it, you could always add a diesel heat unit to the boat either through us.

How would that work? Would it still run through the same forced air vents? Where would the diesel tank be? And is there a benefit from doing that with RT directly on a new order vs cobbling together something after market?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

 

[Echotree]

And by the way, I’m up in Ketchikan. For a variety of reasons, folks around here will spend a lot of money on aluminum hulled boats that can cost just as much as RT, but have only half the creature comforts. And considerably less ergonomic design. Plus, they’re cold, loud, and not something that necessarily makes you want to stay out for more than a day trip. Or convince your spouse and kids/grandkids to stay out with you when the weather is less than ideal (and of course we get a lot of that out here).

In most aluminum hull boats, even a diesel heater just sort of takes the chill off. You’re still definitely roughing it. If you’re overnighting, you’re very much “camping” vs, say, staying in a nice little cabin on the water. To me, the better design, coupled with the natural insulation and feel of fiberglass RT boats has always outweighed whatever benefits that the traditional cabin Hewescraft/North River-type aluminum boats offer.

RT’s philosophy of designing comfortable family boats (1st priority) that are also pretty great for fishing (2nd priority) keeps RT front and center in my mind. Fishing is fun (and can fill the freezer quickly up here), but a good, livable (and cozy warm) boat is a way to bring family and friends together to build memories, regardless of the weather.

The view from my porch right now. Marrying my first daughter off tomorrow. Really makes you think about what’s important.

 

[NorthernFocus]

...How would that work? Would it still run through the same forced air vents? Where would the diesel tank be? And is there a benefit from doing that with RT directly on a new order vs cobbling together something after market?...

If you have minimal DIY skills installing a Webasto forced air diesel heater is not difficult at all. I've done it on two boats. I recommend installing the fuel pump as far aft as possible. On the first boat I installed one on the only choice was to put it under a cabinet in the cabin. Very annoying. On our current boat it's in the aft lazarette and you have to really listen to hear it. The fuel tank can be as simple as a portable fuel can/tank mounted as close as possible to the pump.

...In most aluminum hull boats, even a diesel heater just sort of takes the chill off. You’re still definitely roughing it. If you’re overnighting, you’re very much “camping” vs, say, staying in a nice little cabin on the water. To me, the better design, coupled with the natural insulation and feel of fiberglass RT boats has always outweighed whatever benefits that the traditional cabin Hewescraft/North River-type aluminum boats offer.

...a good, livable (and cozy warm) boat is a way to bring family and friends together to build memories, regardless of the weather.

Spot on with the above comments. In the discussion above about heat pump performance water temperature was mentioned. But water temperature isn't the only variable involved. In 50 something degree weather and 40 something degree water our Webasto cycles on/off and keeps the cabin quite comfortable. But on a rainy day with similar temperatures it runs non-stop and the cabin is noticeably cooler. Insulation not withstanding cold rain on the cabin and damp carpet from wet boots suck a lot of heat. That's simply the reality of thermodynamics. If you plan to anchor out in remote locations up here and want a warm cabin you're going to burn fuel. It's just a question of whether it's running a generator or a fired heater.

 

[Submariner]

In the discussion above about heat pump performance water temperature was mentioned. But water temperature isn't the only variable involved. In 50 something degree weather and 40 something degree water our Webasto cycles on/off and keeps the cabin quite comfortable. But on a rainy day with similar temperatures it runs non-stop and the cabin is noticeably cooler. Insulation not withstanding cold rain on the cabin and damp carpet from wet boots suck a lot of heat. That's simply the reality of thermodynamics. If you plan to anchor out in remote locations up here and want a warm cabin you're going to burn fuel. It's just a question of whether it's running a generator or a fired heater.

We boat year round in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. We usually burn about 8 gallons of diesel (kerosene) a year, filling up our tank twice annually.

Last season we spent all of June in SE Alaska. Webasto states that the Airtop STC2000 consumes 1 gallon of fuel in 20 hours. We burned 8 gallons of fuel in those 4 weeks. In the pouring down rain, we ran the heater non-stop throughout the day. Normally we would run it in the morning and evening, leaving it off overnight and throughout the day.

 

[NorthernFocus]

We boat year round in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. We usually burn about 8 gallons of diesel (kerosene) a year, filling up our tank twice annually.

Last season we spent all of June in SE Alaska. Webasto states that the Airtop STC2000 consumes 1 gallon of fuel in 20 hours. We burned 8 gallons of fuel in those 4 weeks. In the pouring down rain, we ran the heater non-stop throughout the day. Normally we would run it in the morning and evening, leaving it off overnight and throughout the day.

That sounds similar to our typical use with the same size unit though it's not uncommon for us to run it 16 hours a day. We're a bit farther north and are often anchored in glacial fjords so water temps might be slightly lower on average than in SEAK. On trips of 5-7 nights on the hook our usage varies from 1-4 gallons depending primarily on how much it rains. I've not looked at the manual in years but as I recall the burn rate indicated in the manual is at rated output(i.e.max heat). We never operate it that high and are typically in the middle of it's range.

The unit we are currently running replaced a Wallace counter top unit and is in its 18th season and second boat. It gets used 40-50 days per year on the water and another 10 days or so per year on the trailer. It has never required any maintenance other than routine cleaning.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Thanks for your replies, Sam and Andrew. One of the things that has long drawn me to RT is your engagement with the community.

I’m sure the beefier battery bank could definitely be useful, even up here.


How would that work? Would it still run through the same forced air vents? Where would the diesel tank be? And is there a benefit from doing that with RT directly on a new order vs cobbling together something after market?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Sorry for the delay! The diesel heater unit would have its own ducting that would not share with the rest of the system. The tank would be in the same location as it always was which is behind the stove and oven with a dedicated fill port. One thing you might consider is coming to visit us and we can show you how well the reverse cycle heating works in the winter time around our dock. You might actually be impressed with this system and decide you don't need a diesel heater at all. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to me on my direct email andrewcustis@fluidmotionmarine.com

 

[DMD3]

Reminds me of when we took delivery of our 2023 R27LE in Des Moines. It was in mid-late October 2022. Temps varied wildly having us literally use both the reverse cycle heat and air conditioning each and every day. We used it continuously underway cruising from the factory dock up to Paulsbo and other destinations during the week. Several hours at a clip. Invaluable. As a Chesapeake bay boater I am no expert when it comes to PNW conditions. However, I would think the dehumidification aspects would be a huge benefit out there.

Funny story… we were docked in Paulsbo on one warm afternoon when from inside our cabin I noticed a small crowd gathering on the dock looking and pointing toward the water ejecting from the AC exhaust. Went out to introduce myself, they all had a very concerned look about them. Apparently were worried my new boat was sinking. Led to quite a few laughs upon explanation.