Number of passengers on an R21EC?

[tonto]

How many passengers can comfortably fit in the aft area? For that matter, how many comfortably can fit inside the cabin (assuming someone is standing, too, besides the pilot and copilot sitting in the seats)?

Is there a capacity plate on these vessels, or if not, (in case the Park Rangers were to pull me over for a safety inspection)?

I'm in the way early process of looking at options for a new boat, and the Tugs are high on my list, but I'm weighing lots of things, and my wife loves family to join us, so that's why I was curious about passengers. 🙂

We currently have a 20 foot open bow that we cruise around the lake in, but I would like to "upgrade" to something with a cabin (mostly for the head and berth)

 

[SGIDAVE]

How many passengers can comfortably fit in the aft area? For that matter, how many comfortably can fit inside the cabin (assuming someone is standing, too, besides the pilot and copilot sitting in the seats)?

Is there a capacity plate on these vessels, or if not, (in case the Park Rangers were to pull me over for a safety inspection)?

I'm in the way early process of looking at options for a new boat, and the Tugs are high on my list, but I'm weighing lots of things, and my wife loves family to join us, so that's why I was curious about passengers. 🙂

We currently have a 20 foot open bow that we cruise around the lake in, but I would like to "upgrade" to something with a cabin (mostly for the head and berth)

Hello Tonto,

The 21EC is a small boat for a 21' given her NARROW beam. The aft bench can seat 3 but, more comfortably 2 adults; these are the best seats. Two more can ride on the engine box but these are not prime seats as there is not back or arm rests. Inside the pilot house there is room for the captain and, MAYBE, one more person. There is a co-pilot 'seat' but it's not very comfortable. Certainly it's better than nothing but...well, hop up there and you'll see what I mean. Unless a 3rd person want's to crash on the v-berth - that's it - no more room.

I THINK the capacity plate says EIGHT adults, but you should double check.

At the forward part of the cockpit, there are small 'steps' on each side. These make fairly nice 'seats' for your more nimble passengers, and since you are low in the hull, fairly comfortable given the 'rockiness' of the narrow hull.

So, on my boat, with my family/friends, I usually consider 4-5 passengers (that is, 5-6 total persons aboard) max capacity. I deduct from that as the voyage length increases or waves increase the rocking of the boat. Remember, the 21EC is a NARROW hull (6' 8" beam) and you will notice more rocking compared with a more standard 8-8.5' beam boat of similar length. If it's breezy, one side of the aft seat may get a little spray, so no one may want to sit in that position, for instance. Having a canvas cover with sides for the cockpit eliminates the spray issue.

Nevertheless, it is a very neat boat with a lot going for it. The thrum of the diesel is mesmerizing and VERY relaxing. I have trouble with my back but find standing at the helm 70-80% of the time comfortable...there is slight vibration from the engine at my feet which, somehow, eases back pain. It's part of the magic of running the boat.

When you get to go out alone it's a snap to unload/reload onto her trailer. And the narrow hull makes trailing her down the road nearly effortless compared with her fuller-figured sisters.

So, HOW MANY you want to bring along depends a lot upon your comfort level, how "close" everyone likes to be, and the wind/wave action.

dave

 

[JamesTXSD]

Recreational boats 20' LOA or smaller are required to have a passenger capacity sticker/placard. Monohull boats over that size, up to 26 feet generally use this formula to determine the number of passengers:

(Length X Beam)/15

Note that the number resulting from that formula may compromise the stability of any given boat... think about what happens if they all run to one side to see a whale!

In the case of the R-21EC, that would be (21X6.75)/15 = 9.45 passengers. No idea if Ranger posts a capacity plate on their boats, but 9 passengers on an R-21 would be quite a load!

Figuring the Coast Guard "average passenger weight" of 184 pounds, you could potentially have over 1,600 pounds of passengers on a boat with a dry weight of 2,750 pounds (as per Ranger's specs). Seems way overloaded from my perspective.

All that said, how many could you actually carry? In perfectly calm conditions, for a very short cruise, more than you'd want to carry in more challenging conditions further from shore. And, of course, proper PFDs for everyone onboard.

I am not a naval architect, don't play one on TV, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night... but, my gut feeling tells me I wouldn't care to have more than 6 aboard an R-21, and that would only be in very calm conditions. Interesting how bow rider runabouts have seating for way more than that, generally. Different animals.

Another consideration for an R-21 compared to a runabout is what kind of speed you like to run. My sister and brother-in-law had a 21 foot runabout that would seat 10... and still go way faster than a Ranger 21. You could pull a water skier or two behind the runabout; get kids airborn on a tube behind the boat. Definitely not the mission for an R-21.

The question of number of passengers on an R-21 makes me think about the best usage for any particular boat. The R-21 is a very capable boat... but think: a couple "camp cruising"... taking a couple neighbors once around the bay for toasting the sunset... a boat that can get you out of the weather (sun, wind, rain).

It will be interesting to hear from other R-21 owners regarding how they use their boats.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[Captain Nice]

The 2016 capacity plate allows 8 persons or 1400lbs maximum.

CN

 

[Stevan47]

Hi guys: Interesting topic and good feedback from everyone. Yes, my builders compliance plate says a total of eight POB, however I never ever leave the wharf/jetty with more than four aboard: usually my wife and I, plus two family/friends. We sometimes take the grandchildren out too and we factor that in as well. I just don't feel safe with more than that and if ever things go 'pear-shaped' underway, it is that much more chaotic trying to manage six to eight bodies. The weather changes without warning down here, noting we are mainly coastal and when the wind comes up in the afternoon you are heading into a fair chop on the return journey, or worst case scenario, the weather and swell on the beam. Makes it a bit 'squeezy' too, when everyone wants to cram into the wheelhouse to avoid the spray. So, for me, four is good, although two is best.

KInd regards to all.

 

[Two killicks]

My 2012 21ec plate says 6 persons max

 

[Captain Nice]

You must not have the optional flybridge :lol:

CN

 

[adventres]

We just signed over our 20' bow rider and signed for the purchase of the 2016 R29CB!!! We are so excited to have purchased the "cabin" cruiser. It's more than likely our kids will have their friends on the boat, so we all can sleep comfortably 6 people. We think we can comfortably sit 5 people in the sitting areas.

 

[Bruce Moore]

We just signed over our 20' bow rider and signed for the purchase of the 2016 R29CB!!! We are so excited to have purchased the "cabin" cruiser. It's more than likely our kids will have their friends on the boat, so we all can sleep comfortably 6 people. We think we can comfortably sit 5 people in the sitting areas.

Great boat. You and your family will have a blast.

Cheers!

 

[Two killicks]

You must not have the optional flybridge :lol:

CN

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Jake]

We just signed over our 20' bow rider and signed for the purchase of the 2016 R29CB!!! We are so excited to have purchased the "cabin" cruiser. It's more than likely our kids will have their friends on the boat, so we all can sleep comfortably 6 people. We think we can comfortably sit 5 people in the sitting areas.

Congrats, awesome boat. I wish Ranger would update their site with a listing for it. Post pictures when you can.

Jake

 

[bradcarolR29S]

Hey Carl and family,
Welcome to Tugnuts. We are looking forward to you joining our group of Ranger Tug owners on L dock.
Brad and Carol

 

[baz]

Our 2016 R-21EC has a sticker in the pilot house that states 8 people max.

We've had 4 adults and 3 children onboard at times without any issue.

Weather (current and forecasted) and water conditions should influence the decision for how many people you take onboard.

Kids (ours at least) love the R-21EC's ride, and I have to admit I also love it as well.

SGIDAVE's advice is very sound and accurate IMO.

 

[adventres]

Hey Carl and family,
Welcome to Tugnuts. We are looking forward to you joining our group of Ranger Tug owners on L dock.
Brad and Carol

Thanks! See you on Sunday!

 

[tonto]

Ok thank you everyone.

We're landlocked here in Kansas, so we just go from lake to lake (but have two close by we prefer).

Our boating currently consists of cruising around the lake a bit, then going into a cove and rafting up with people, depending on our social mood for the day (so either with one person we know, or in the middle of a long line in a party cove) so our children can swim.

Our children aren't yet interested in skiing/tubing, but they sure like those foam mats that everyone seems to have these days. I think we mostly just want the ability to have a head for children emergencies, or when the water is too cold for the women to jump in 😉 I'm not really a go-fast boat type of a person, I prefer slow cruising with good company, and the occasional party 😉 I also am leaning towards something with a cabin because I'd like to extend my boating season a bit longer than an openbow permits.

I'm sure some day we might get something bigger, but currently the R21 is more in our price range. I know what I want, but the Admiral might prefer another runabout with more passenger capacity.

I'm just gathering info right now since the nearest Ranger dealer is 4-5 hours away