Ranger 21 EC Performance

[imjimmy02]

I have been a sailor for more than 30 years and have a Compac 25 on Lake Erie. I'm considering going to a Ranger 21 EC - good looking boat. Lake Erie is known for its "chop" and quickly changing sea conditions. Can anyone tell me how the 21 EC performs in rougher waters? Thanksyou in advance.

Jim Finn

 

[captain's cat]

Jim, check out the C-Brats site, link on the home page. Do a search on 21EC or something like that. Lots there, before Tug-Nuts was born... Hasn't been moved over here yet, hopefully it will be for all of you fanatics!! :lol:

charlie

 

[Texas Steve]

No experience on Lake Erie, but here are my impressions; the boat is quite seaworthy and can take most anything when quartering into waves. It takes practice to master following seas, but can be done with proper throttle adjustment. The one weak spot is in a beam sea.. the roll can be very unpleasant. Also, keep in mind that they are very economically boats, the only downside being that you won't out run bad weather. Overall, a very capable boat (at least in my experience.)

 

[Shaun]

The Rub N Tug has made the trip to Catalina Island, here in southern California, 10 or so times. Catalina is 30 miles off the coast here and can offer up some seriously challenging sea conditions. I have had this little boat in seas that might keep some larger boats in the harbour and feel tottaly confident. My only advice is too keep the fuel level above half tank due to a design flaw by the tank manufacturer. I have been working with the factory on this issue and hopfully we have come up with a solution. Over all a very cappable "BIG" little boat.

 

[Stella Maris]

Jim,
My wife and I have a R-25 which has proven itself in very rough water on Lake Mead, 5 to 6 foot chop. The captain and crew will get tired out before the boat does. We also ran this boat up on a submerged reef and had to be towed off. The bow was in over fifty feet of water while the stern was in six inches. Great thing about those underwater mountains! We did considerable damage to the bottom but did not hole her. The point being, whatever boat you purchase from Ranger Tugs will give you great satisfaction.

If you are familiar with Passage Maker magazine, they did an article about three of the R-21 going up the inside passage to Alaska! It was about a year or two ago that they wrote it. You can go to their website and do a search to locate the article.
David

 

[Bruce Moore]

It's a great article. You can download a PDF version from the Ranger factory site.

Cheers!