R21 EC...How Low can it go?

C

cruz-in

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 19, 2016
Messages
168
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
18 foot cubby cabing Catboat
Vessel Name
Auuumn Wind
Hi Team,

So I am wondering, if one removed the tower, spotlight, horns, and any other "reasonably" removable items on the roof of an R-21, would a Ranger R-21 on trailer fit under an 8 foot high opening?

For instance, if one wanted to bring their R-21 into a garage for an extended (like thru the winter) refurbishment, could it get under the 8 foot door with these items removed?

I realize this is impractical for storage during usage periods as one would not want to remove/reconnect/seal/reinstall those items just to store the boat.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.
Dan
 
According to the brochure on the R21EC, the bridge clearance is 6' 8" without the mast, 10' 9" with the mast. So, removing the mast alone gives you 3' 1" additional clearance.

My estimate of the light and the fake smokestack is an additional 1'. I have no idea what's under the smokestack, other than the radar reflector. So, you might not get that full 1'. Then the cabin top hand rails need to be considered.

In fact, if the boat has a factory bimini top, it might extend an addition 1", or so, above the cabin top. I think the surrey top also extend above the cabin top. I've owned R21EC's with each top; can't recall the height of the surrey top.

Each trailer will position the boat differently causing the total height to vary. You might be able to gain a little extra clearance by deflating the trailer tires a little. Not sure how that would affect the tires over time.

Good luck!
 
Thanks

So I should just have to add the ground to waterline distance (while on trailer) to 6'8" and that gives an estimate of height without mast. I suspect that distance is at about 2' to 2' 6". Looks like it is 8" to 12"s too high to fit thru an 8 foot high garage door........
 
My 21 sits on it's trailer inside an outdoor barn. Without getting out the measuring tape here's what I can tell you. I'm 6'1". When standing on the ground next to the boat on the trailer there is at least another 2-2/1/2 feet of boat above me without even considering the mast or faux stack. So pulling the boat/trailer inside an 8' garage height BOW first wont likely work. However, before I had our barn built I actually thought about BACKING the boat/trailer STERN first into the garage. With the bimini off the stern WILL fit inside an 8 foot door opening up to where the cabin starts. That at least would keep the cockpit and engine compartment out of the weather.

Cheers!

Karl
 
Thanks Karl....backing the stern in would certainly be a partial solution.
 
I gave this a bit more thought while moving furniture around in the house. Draft is 2', or 24". If you had a trailer that allowed the bottom of the tug to touch the ground, you'd be looking at 2' plus 6' 8" with the mast removed. On a trailer, I'm thinking the best you'd get would be around 9 to 10' clearance, without the mast.

I'm with Karl; I think it's no go. Karl's suggestion about backing the boat and trailer into garage has a lot of merit. A couple of times this past winter I had bilge pump problems; and, found my tug with water in the bilge almost to the engine. The problem persisted for a couple of weeks before I solved it (I hope it's solved). I live 10 minutes from the marina, so checking it after heavy rain fall wasn't too big an issue. However, I then put it in a covered slip for several months. But, with my back problems, it was too far to walk. So, it's back on an open slip. Along with the drainage to the bilge situation and for other reasons, I currently have it for sale and am also trying to trade it for a different boat. It's my third R21EC, they're great boats. But, at almost 80 and with the attendant issues I need fewer things to deal with.

Again, good luck!
 
When in the service, one of our tasks was to load an RH-53d helicopter onto a C-5.

When loading onto the aft ramp, the top of the fuselage needed a few inches to clear the ceiling of the C5, so the solution was to temporarily install small diameter nose wheels. This got the clearance needed, and re-installation of proper nose tires was performed sfter unloading.
 
On the factory EZLoader trailer, the top of the "stack" is 9'-2". You don't want to remove this unless it is damaged and needs replacement as it is screwed/sealed/wired to the top of the pilothouse (don't ask how I know). But if you were to remove the stack assembly you'd only pick up another 9".

CN
 
Thanks all for the info. You all are great. Won't have my R-21 till early November and this info will allow me to plan.
 
The smoke stack on mine is at 9'6" on my tandem axle trailer.
 
I know this is an old post but for the record my 1992 R21 measures 8'-5" to the top of the running light shields when hooked up to the truck. My garage door, after I modify it, will have five 21" wide panels for a max opening of 8'-8" - so I have 3"" of clearance. My overall length is 24-7" and the garage is 25'-3" deep - so it fits like a glove! I've got plenty of width to work around the boat and the garage is heated - so bring on the winter projects!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top