Oldest R21 Classic?

[cracker39]

Can anyone tell me what anchor was used on the Classic 21's. Mine is a 1995, named the Evergreen. I'll post hull # when I get back to the boat. I understand it was a claw anchor, but was wondering the weight. Thanks!

i would also be interested, as the first owner of Chester made custom teak chocks for a Danforth anchor - which I still have - whereas the stainless bow anchor pulpit is empty. I’m guessing that the original anchor is still firmly hooked under a rock somewhere in Lake Michigan - or it was simply not passed along to the second owner twenty years ago!

 

[Wildog69]

My R21 Classic is a 1995, Name: Evergreen Hull Serial Number RFB02721C595. It has a factory installed rear steering wheel on the starboard side, just ahead of the rear seat. It has the 3 cylinder 27 HP Yanmar diesel motor, 3GM30F. It has the mast and boom, and supports a full canopy.

 

[cracker39]

I think that we’ve established a pattern. We now have “Chester” (RFB02630E592), “Lil’ Toot” (RFB02637G592), and “Evergreen” (RFB02721C595). As such, it would appear that the first five numbers are nothing more than a sequential numbering of the hulls produced. In other words, 92 R21’s were produced from May 1992 to March 1995, inclusive of the first and last in the sequence. The only remaining unknown tidbit would be the significance of the number “5” preceding the year. I’m guessing now that it might be a mould or model number for just the hull - as different liner configurations appear to be evident within boats of this era. The only other possibility, with respect to the first five numbers, is that this sequence of numbers could nave been used across the entire line of boats that RFB was producing. 02630 may have been an R21 - but 02631 might have been an entirely different model produced by RFB, provided that they were, indeed, producing more than one model during this era. Does anyone know?

 

[cracker39]

Aside from searching for the oldest R21 Classic, it would still be great to have serial numbers from other R21’s spanning the years they were built. There were several different hull liners used - i.e. - some with interior liners stopping 6 or 8 inches below the top of the cockpit rails and using a wood stern seat, some with sides coming down to the sole of the cockpit with storage cubbyholes built in, others with built-in stern seats integral with the liner, perhaps some with sides and cockpit sole molded as one unit (—-with or without entry steps at the rear of the wheelhouse), some with fuel tanks under the stern seat, etc. As an example, my ‘92 R21 has the short side liners, with an added trim panel from the liner to the cockpit sole, a wood stern seat, and with both the batteries and fuel tank under the engine box. It’s powered by the 2GM20F Yanmar with a 16 hp continuous rating output. The most notable feature of the early R21’s is, of course, the teak window frames of the wheelhouse, the teak soles on the gunwales, the teak trim on the engine box, and additional teak railings and trim on the wheelhouse. The exhaust through the stern may be a feature of early R21’s, as I know the R21 EC’s exhaust through the side - but I’m not sure when, or why, this change was made? Perhaps something to do with “swim platforms”? As for the interior of the wheelhouse, I don’t think that there were too many changes in the basic mold. There were certainly different furnishings offered - and even a “raised” wheelhouse roof to provide more headroom (—-which I’ve been pursuing.) I envy those whose boats aren’t laid up for the winter - but for the rest of us this is a good time to take a few minutes and get to know your R21’s heritage. Furnish your serial numbers and give us a short rundown of how your boat is set up. I believe the R21 is a very unique little boat that will, with reasonable care, probably outlive most of the present owner’s. That distinction is very limited in scope.

 

[REO6205]

Another hull number to help you guys in your search. This is from a 2005 I owned.

FMLR 2117 G405

 

[cracker39]

Another hull number to help you guys in your search. This is from a 2005 I owned.

FMLR 2117 G405

Interesting. I’m guessing that the casting of this hull was subcontracted to another company unless someone has a better explanation for the “FMLR” prefix. Likewise, if the “2117” is a sequential numbering scheme, as generally confirmed by the previous hull numbers we have herein, it is out of sequence. 2005 is the year that the R21 EC evolved but you failed to say whether the 2005 you owned was an R21 - or an R21 EC. I assumed from your use of the past-tense that you were not referring to the R21 EC shown in your profile.

 

[Admiral S]

FML is the Fluid Motion designation

 

[cracker39]

FML is the Fluid Motion designation

Can you expand on that a bit? When did they buy out RFB and, if so, did they ever produce an R21 Classic - and do R21 EC’s all have the FML prefix? Does anyone have a R21 Classic with the FML ptrfix in the hull number?

 

[Admiral S]

The posters HIN above was a 2005 R21 so that would be the Fluid Motion/Ranger Tug era. I don't have any other information to help.

 

[REO6205]

Another hull number to help you guys in your search. This is from a 2005 I owned.

FMLR 2117 G405

Interesting. I’m guessing that the casting of this hull was subcontracted to another company unless someone has a better explanation for the “FMLR” prefix. Likewise, if the “2117” is a sequential numbering scheme, as generally confirmed by the previous hull numbers we have herein, it is out of sequence. 2005 is the year that the R21 EC evolved but you failed to say whether the 2005 you owned was an R21 - or an R21 EC. I assumed from your use of the past-tense that you were not referring to the R21 EC shown in your profile.

Okay, I'll try explaining this in a little more detail. FMLR 2117 G405 is a 2005 Ranger Tug R-21. It has the small cabin.

As stated above, Fluid Motion is the builder. I have no idea if the hull was subcontracted and I don't really care. It was a fine little boat.

My current boat is an R-21 EC. Everybody clear on this now?

Has anybody contacted the factory to see if they have the needed information or are you guys going to continue to stumble around like a bunch of maritime Three Stooges?

Good luck in your search.

 

[cracker39]

Another hull number to help you guys in your search. This is from a 2005 I owned.

FMLR 2117 G405

Interesting. I’m guessing that the casting of this hull was subcontracted to another company unless someone has a better explanation for the “FMLR” prefix. Likewise, if the “2117” is a sequential numbering scheme, as generally confirmed by the previous hull numbers we have herein, it is out of sequence. 2005 is the year that the R21 EC evolved but you failed to say whether the 2005 you owned was an R21 - or an R21 EC. I assumed from your use of the past-tense that you were not referring to the R21 EC shown in your profile.

Okay, I'll try explaining this in a little more detail. FMLR 2117 G405 is a 2005 Ranger Tug R-21. It has the small cabin.

As stated above, Fluid Motion is the builder. I have no idea if the hull was subcontracted and I don't really care. It was a fine little boat.

My current boat is an R-21 EC. Everybody clear on this now?

Has anybody contacted the factory to see if they have the needed information or are you guys going to continue to stumble around like a bunch of maritime Three Stooges?

Good luck in your search.

For the record, I was in touch with the factory months ago and they could offer little or no information with respect to the early R21 Classics. They did, however, refer me to a very elderly retired gentlemen who worked with the original Owner of Ranger Fiberglass Boats until his retirement. I have subsequently had a long and fascinating conversation with him about the early years of Ranger and I’m hopeful that the conversation will continue. Your 2005 R21 is of particular interest to me because 2005 is apparently the last year the Classic hull was produced. Your feigned irritation was unnecessary. Not everyone appreciates the nuances of a boats pedigree or evolving design and that’s OK. Enjoy your R21 EC and I’ll enjoy my continuing research.

 

[harry ames]

Poopsy is definitely a 1997

 

[cracker39]

To Date:

YEAR———-NAME——————HULL NUMBER—————ENGINE————————-OWNER

1992———-CHESTER————RFB02630E592—————YANMAR 2GM20F———cracker39
1992———-LIL’ TOOT———- RFB02637G592————-YANMAR 3GM30F———Don Cardinal
1995———-EVERGREEN——-RFB02721C595—————YANMAR 3GM30F———Wildog69
1997———-POOPSY———————————————————————————————-Harry Ames
2002———-CHILIDOG——————————————————————————————-Ard
2005———-RIBBIT————————————————————————————————-LAKERtoo
2005—————————————FMLR 2117 G405—————————————————REO6205


I hope that others will continue to add to the list. There has to be a lot of R21’s out there!

 

[sparrow]

Hi: I have a 1991, serial # RFB02590B591

I'm the third owner. Originally named Island Girl, then Capella, now Rowver.

Here she is: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8141&p=57220&hilit=+r21+classic#p57220

 

[Ard]

Been busy doing winter work on my boat and forgot all about this thread. My HIN is FMLR2101A202. Yanmar 2GM20F

 

[cracker39]

Hi: I have a 1991, serial # RFB02590B591

I'm the third owner. Originally named Island Girl, then Capella, now Rowver.

Here she is: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8141&p=57220&hilit=+r21+classic#p57220

Glad to hear from you. That serial number puts you in the lead for the oldest R21 Classic! Am I correct in assuming that you have the Yanmar 2GM20F diesel? Your awning arrangement is most likely what I’m going for this summer. Do you have any photos with the awning rigged?

 

[cracker39]

Been busy doing winter work on my boat and forgot all about this thread. My HIN is FMLR2101A202. Yanmar 2GM20F

It’s against the rules to do winter work on an R21 Classic without providing photos or telling us what you’re doing! Cabin fever absolutely demands cooperation! Anyway, that serial number puts you ahead of REO6205 and it helps to determine when Fluid Motion took over - simply as a point in time. It’s interesting to note that, at this point, the Yanmar 2GM20F was used from at least 1991 to 2002. That’s a nice tribute to the little diesel when so many power plants only serve a few years before getting replaced with “bigger and better!”

 

[sparrow]

Cracker39: Yes, I have the Yanmar 2gm. Wonderful little motor. I burn 10-20% biodiesel made from soybean oil and sold by a local dealer. Smells like french fries cooking as I chug along, and helps with engine lubricity.

I don't think I have any pics with the awning up. It's simply a rectangle of Dacron with batten pockets running crosswise every two feet. The ends of the fiberglass battens have bungees that clip onto the rail. Very easy to deploy and store.

Every boat is a compromise, but for my purposes here in the shallow coastal bays she serves me well, and she sure is cheap to run!

I've owned a lot of boats of all types, at least three dozen over the years, and the build quality of my Ranger is at the top of the list. Even at 27 years old, the gelcoat still takes a nice shine.

 

[cracker39]

Cracker39: Yes, I have the Yanmar 2gm. Wonderful little motor. I burn 10-20% biodiesel made from soybean oil and sold by a local dealer. Smells like french fries cooking as I chug along, and helps with engine lubricity.

I don't think I have any pics with the awning up. It's simply a rectangle of Dacron with batten pockets running crosswise every two feet. The ends of the fiberglass battens have bungees that clip onto the rail. Very easy to deploy and store.

Every boat is a compromise, but for my purposes here in the shallow coastal bays she serves me well, and she sure is cheap to run!

I've owned a lot of boats of all types, at least three dozen over the years, and the build quality of my Ranger is at the top of the list. Even at 27 years old, the gelcoat still takes a nice shine.

What size battens are you using - and are you generally following the hull lines (---in plan view) or just using a nominal say 6'-8" by 10'-0'' rectangle? Any provisions for securing the awning to the horizontal support, or is it just free to move about. I was thinking about having the awning wide enough such that it could be tied down to the rail tent-fashion with the battens removed. The additional overhang would be a problem dockside but not out on the water.

 

[sparrow]

The awning was from a sailboat is owned. It's about 6'x10' and uses old Hobie Cat fiberglass battens. For a while I used 1/2" pvc pipe for battens, which also fit in the pockets, but the pipe was too bendy.

It rests untethered on the aluminum pole and the bungees on either side hold it in place very well. I've thought of adding a couple grommets in the center to make a secure connection to the pole but have never gotten around to it.

The awning was made by a local canvas shop and was not expensive. For more money you could make one that is more of a custom fit.

Now if I can just figure out a permanent solution to teak maintenance.....