R21 (pre-EC) with mast and boom

[williamsdp]

Does anybody in Virginia have a mid-1990s to 2005 R21 (pre-EC model) that they are willing to discuss by telephone, and possibly let me look at before I make a long road trip to inspect one that is for sale? Thanks

David

 

[tuggertoy]

That is a big date range. What year was the tug you're interested in made? That may help in getting a response. Also where is the tug located? We are in PA and have a 2006 R-21 Classic. I know that the earlier tugs are very different from each other. Any more info you could give us would help.

Moria
Tugger Toy

 

[williamsdp]

I'm considering a 2005 R21 located in New England - about an 8 hour drive just to inspect it. I've been a fan of the Ranger Tug since the late 80's and watched from a distance as the boats have evolved. My biggest concern is the usability and "comfort" of the wheelhouse in the R21. A teak bench with no back support looks mighty uncomfortable compared to the seating arrangements in the R-21EC. How much do boat cushions or stadium seats help? Will the passenger side of the pilot seat fold to create more floor space while the v-berth is in use? Temperatures in the eastern part of Virginia in the summer routinely reach the high 80s and low 90s, with the side windows, the middle forward window, and the forward hatch open will 6kts move enough air through the wheelhouse to keep it from being an oven? The cockpit awning rigged on the mast and boom does not appear to cover and shade the wrap around seat at the stern of the boat. I've been spending summers cooking in sun with a twin cockpit aluminum runabout from the late 50's and everybody in the family is ready for some shade!

David

 

[SlackwaterJack]

I'm a fairly "round" guy and I find there's enough room in the pilot house for me, although I don't find the seating all that "comfy" for the driver. I usually sit on the port side so I don't need to keep flipping the seat out of the way to exit the pilothouse. I'm probably going to go with a pair of 30" tall, folding ,padded, barstools. I'm short and find the stock seat is too far from the wheel and the foot rest is too low. I can "scootch" a barstool forward so my stubby arms can reach the wheel more comfortably. As a general habit, I usually drive standing up (a habit I've had in most boats for years). On long stretches I use the autopilot so I can sit where I want. I've never missed a backrest, but again, That's probably just me. Maybe someday I'll move the wheel off centre to port, and relocate the shifter to port as well so the driver doesn't block the door when in position (might be easier to change the door to the portside?)

I've looked at making a zip-on curtain for the end of the boomtent and it's definitely do-able. The boom comes closer to the end of the boat than it looks in most pictures (mine ends about 15 inches from the rail). Unless the sun is behind you there's decent shade. I'm sure there's alot of variation when it comes to boom length and mast height as well. I'm also planning on installing "lee cloths" on the rails to reduce the reflected glare.

The cabin is well ventilated (are there supposed to be screens for the side windows??)

 

[tuggertoy]

My husband and I are rarely in the pilot house at the same time. One of us is piloting and the other is either standing in the doorway or stretched out on the engine cover. Our tug has a seat back on the engine cover that flips to either make a seat or lounge. On colder days - the engine seat is nice and toasty. We bought our tug in Florida in August!! The windows give plenty of ventilation - it was very hot and humid when we took the tug out for a sea trial!!! The seat in the pilot house flips flat against the wall when not in use and isn't an issue with the v-berth. The bench doesn't bother us to much. We are short folks too (5 ft 3 and under) and I have thought about making a cushion for the seat. I find that when we dock or anchor - I prefer to be standing. Our tug had the mast and boom removed and a hard bimini top installed by the previous owner. The rear seat was left uncovered on purpose - but it does get shade depending on which way the sun is. We love our tug - I hope you find your way to owning one too.