R-23 Sea Charateristics

[cwalden]

Hi All Ranger 23 Owners. Looks like we will be joining the ranks soon. Can anyone tell me about the handling characteristics of the boat. Head seas, beam seas, quartering seas and following seas. Want to use boat for some travelling and want to make sure she is comfortable and confident when there is less that ideal weather.

Any comments or insights will be greatly appreciated. Thank You very much!!

Chris and Kathleen

 

[Ernie]

I take mine out year round, she does fine. You can always be confident, if not comfortable if you take care running in rough water. She’s built to run like a rabbit on a calm day and slow down in more the 1-2 foot chop. I don’t enjoy traveling any big distance into a wind of more than 14kts, especially with an opposing tide.flip that around and it can be s fun run down wind with a a breeze of 15
She handles the way you’d expect a small boat to in bigger 3’5’ waves, you just focus on driving her and using the throttle liberally as you go up and over big waves.
The main peculiarity is in following seas or even running with a lot of current behind you. My out board bogs down and is very stubborn getting out of the hole. I think it has to do with back pressure from the water on the thrust of the prop. Trimming the motor all the way down helps. R23 is a good little boat and you’ll find yourself running faster than any other small boat out there even in sloppy chop.
Have fun, and spend lots of time practicing and learning in all conditions.

 

[cwalden]

You are very kind to provide this much information. So helpful you obviously have a great feel for the boat and her nuances. Following sea/current info especially helpful. Thanks for taking the time to educate us!!

 

[baz]

I previously owned the 2018 R27/OB which is the big sister of the R23. Ernie expresses/explains the boats handling very well and for the R27/OB the same is true. Both boats are quite light in weight and this shows up at times when ploughing through tough sea conditions, but the boat is completely safe. Just slow down to a speed that becomes comfortable and consider zig-zagging to your destination rather than taking a direct line to deal with beam swells and following seas.

Both R23 and R27/OB love to go fast. The outboard motors love 5000 to 6000 RPM.

If you're into fishing, invest in the kicker motor to save on the main engine's use/hrs.

Many people have opinions on the location of the head room.... so think about this before you buy as it cannot be changed.

Also, note RT has now started to produce the R25/OB that obviously has a bit more room inside. It's unclear if the R25/OB will mean RT will stop producing the R23.... so try and reconcile that aspect.

Good luck.

 

[cwalden]

Thanks for this. Great observations and advise. What are general issues with head placement? .....being near the v-berth?
Thanks


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[BB marine]

Thanks for this. Great observations and advise. What are general issues with head placement? .....being near the v-berth?
Thanks


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There are no issues with head placement near the V-berth unless you have an issue with it. It is an opinion or preference. Many like having the head in the pilothouse area close to the door and away from the V-berth. Others like having the head close to V-berth area away from where you cook and eat. You really don't get a choice anymore. All production Rangers the head is near the V berth.

 

[ssobol]

While the head in the new R25 is next to the berth, it is much bigger than the one on the R23. The R25 has the shower actually inside the head instead of next to the bed. The toilet area on the R25 also looks like a normal sized person can get in the head and close the door. Looks kind of iffy on a R23.

Personally I would have liked it better if the new R25 had the head in the back of the cabin like the original R-25.