R29 Buying/ownership advice from SF Bay Area owners?

W

Wheeler

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2011
Messages
7
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Hi all,

I've been interested in Ranger Tugs since I first saw an R25 a few years ago. I grew up around boats and my wife and I previously owned a 20' open-bow runabout. We primarily boated in Folsom Lake when we lived in Sacramento and kept the boat in the Delta for a while when we moved to the Bay Area.

We decided that boat was too small for the Delta and a hassle to commute to from the South Bay/Peninsula, so we sold it. Now, after a couple years, we really miss spending time on the water. I didn't seriously consider a Ranger Tug an option until the R29 came around, so now I've been lurking for a while reading everything I can about Ranger Tugs in general and the R29 specifically.

The R29 seems to makes sense in a number of ways, so we're into research and planning and figuring out if we'd be happy with the boat and the somewhat slower pace. We talked to the folks from Farallone at the boat show in Oakland a couple weekends ago and spent a while checking out the R29 they had on display there. I haven't been able to get in touch with Farallone to do any more hands-on research since then.

So, the question:
Are there any Bay Area R29 owners (or any Ranger model for that matter) who would mind giving me opinions and advice about anything and everything related to buying, owning, and operating an R29 in this area? I'm looking for any info I can get to prepare before buying the boat in the next year or two. For instance, we're looking at hands-on training this summer before chartering an R29 this fall or next spring before we decide to buy. I'm also looking for advice/opinions on items such as:
- buying process & experience
- best places to boat in the SF Bay
- favorite/best marinas
- what prep/training to take before getting the boat
- boat specs & options
- etc., etc.

Sorry for the long post, I'm a little obsessed at the moment. It may sound nuts, but if anyone would mind showing us their R29, we'd be happy to meet up some weekend and buy you lunch/coffee/etc. and pick your brain. There are probably too many questions to answer here, so I'm happy to take this offline if anyone wants to PM me.

Thanks,
Todd
 
Todd,
While I understand that you say you are a year or two out from buying an R-29, it appears that now is the best time to do so. With the economy being in the shape it is, there are a number of great deals out there.

While I cannot give you the amount of information on the bay that you are looking for, I can tell you, twenty years plus ago, Maureen and I used to day sail the bay. We would go out of Richmond, around Angel Island, out the gate, back into Pier 39 where we would have lunch, and then back to Richmond. It was always great fun as there is nothing like being on your own boat looking up at the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge!

If I were going to have a boat in this area, I would keep it up in the Delta at Ox Bow Marina in Isleton. This gives you the bay area as a weekend get away destination and then all of the great cruising grounds of the delta. The other benefit of keeping her in the Delta is the fresh water factor. Fresh water is much easier on your boat than salt water.

As you may or may not know, we currently have our R-29 on the market with Farallone. She is what I would have to say, is one of the most loaded R-29's on the market today. She has everything from Air Conditioning to a Custom Hardtop. The only two factory options we did not put on Karma when purchasing her was, the diesel heater and solar panel.

She comes equipped with everything you need to start cruising from the life jackets and all safety gear, to a dingy with an outboard.

She will only be on the market for another five weeks. If she does not sell within that time, we are prepared to take her off the market and in fact move her up to Ox Bow. If you are interested in "Karma", you can see all of the upgrades that we have done to her by visiting our web site at: Rangertug25-Solitude.com

Whether you should decide to purchase Karma or any other R-29, now is the time. Prices next year will be much higher.

Let me know if you would like to get together to get better look at Karma. While we live in Castle Pines Colorado, we could make arrangements to hook up. I am in town this week through Thursday.
 
HEY TODD, TINA AND I LIVE IN AUBURN AND WILL BE BACK IN TOWN IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS WE OWN A 25 AND HAVE CRUISED THE BAY AREA AND THE DELTA EXTENSIVELY, SEND ME A PM AND I;LL GIVE YOU MY EMAIL AND PHONE#.. IF THERE'S ANY WAY YOU COULD SWING BUYING DAVEAND MAUREEN'S BOAT NOW IT MAKES GREAT FINANCIAL SENSE. HAVING BOUGHT OUR R25 USED,, WE WILL Damn NEAR BREAK EVEN WHEN WE MOVE UP TO A BIGGER BOAT.. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RESEARCH!!---STEVEANDTINA 😀
 
Thanks guys. David, don't think I haven't looked at your listing, pics, and website and thought about it. 😀 We're just not quite ready to jump just yet. I've got a rental property I'm trying to sell or rent and a little bathroom remodel project going this spring/summer. If it wasn't for those, I'd be really tempted. Looks like a great boat with tons of custom upgrades.

Steve, I'll send you a PM. I'd love to hear about bay and delta cruising experience. We kept our 20 footer at Bethel Island for a couple seasons, but didn't love delta boating in that kind of boat. Lack of local knowledge was a bear too. I did see an R25 or two around there a couple years back, which is one of the things that got me interested in Ranger Tugs in the first place.

Todd
 
Todd,

I live in the Bay Area and own a Ranger 27, which I purchased from Farallone Yachts. I am very familiar with that company and recommend them very highly. I am most curious about the statement in your post that you have not been able to get in touch with Farallone since visiting with them at the Oakland boat show. I know from personal experience that they are very accessible to anyone interested in the Ranger line of tugs and would be more than happy to demonstrate the boats to you and to answer any questions you may have. You need only call them. If you need a contact, I suggest Captain Patricia (Patty) Garfield the President and CEO of Farallone Yacht Sales (510) 523-6730.

Hal,
Master and Commander
TUG-a-BEAR
 
Thanks Hal. The folks at Farallone seem very nice and were certainly eager to talk at the boat show. I should qualify that I didn't get a reply to an email I sent to the rep I talked to at the boat show - it probably wasn't fair of me to say I haven't been able to get in touch with Farallone at all based on that. I just didn't get a reply and I've been too busy during business hours to give them a followup call. I need to get over there and take a closer look at the boats and get a demo.

I was also encouraged that they said they like their new owners to keep the boat at their docks for a while after purchase and spend time going over everything with them. My wife is certainly a little nervous about boating on the bay in a more complex boat than we've owned before. We're also thinking about taking some hands-on-training in an R29 this summer before we purchase.

Do you keep your 27 in the water, or do you trailer? If in the water, do you have any favorite marinas or places to visit locally?

Thanks,
Todd
 
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