Ranger 21 vs 21ec

R

riverrambler

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Aug 11, 2016
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Can anyone tell me when Ranger stopped production of the 21 and started producing the 21ec? Also when did production of the 21ec stop? Additionally, what are the major differences in cabin and performance?
 
Riverrambler, I can't answer your first two questions about production of the R-21 and R-21EC,
The difference in the two models is the EC has a extra 18 inches of cabin space (smaller cockpit)
The EC comes with refrigerator, sink and one burner stove, most have toilet with holding tank.
Performance of both are basically identical as far as I can tell. By brother has a R-21 and I have a R-21EC the main difference between the two is that my R-21EC constantly out fishes his R-21!
However this could be due to operator error. Bob
 
Thanks, that explains the EC (extra cabin), I'm a little dense I guess lol. As far as the fishing I bet that's more operator error than boat. But, you never know, I've had boats that I swear caught more fish than others.

Do you overnight on your EC? I am looking for a tailorable boat that I can cruise the east coast intracoastal and tow behind our camper van. I would like to have the option of staying on it a few days. Love the look of the 21EC and I think I maybe able to convince my wife to get back into boating. After many years of houseboating and offshore boating, we had a really bad financial experience with a twin engine walk around and it burned her off boating. But cute always sells lol.
 
Riverrambler, What a great Christmas gift for the wife! Maybe she'll even let you use it, let her do all the driving, so all you have to do is hold on to the helm!
I usually go camping/fishing for a little over three weeks each year, I stay on the boat, but sometimes I have to share with one of the grandkids. The kids usually stay in their camper during there fishing trip with me. The boat is just right for me to handle solo, yes it's (cute) but slow! But I'm the guy who drives to town doing 35-mph with the left blinker on!
If you have any questions feel free to PM me or call, my phone no. Is in my photo album. Bob
 
Good decision to get a 21EC. It is a brilliant design. Last year my wife and I spent 40+ nights on it and we are 70+. Usually overnight in our lake but up to three nights or more all good. Works a treat. Easy to tow, maintain, comfortable and is great fun. Lots of modifications you can make. There are literally 100s of postings on Tugnuts about advantages, use, maintenance, modifications etc. Just put 21EC into search engine on site. Enjoy.
 
I believe production of the 21EC began around 2005, ceasing in 2017.

CN
 
As you look at 21EC's , you will find that from initial production thru 2013 RT used Yanmar engines ....starting in 2014 into 2017 used Volvo engines . RT returned to using Yanmar for the final part of 2017. Performance would seem pretty much equal. Outside of of few minor components and options , this motor variation would be the biggest difference between 21EC's you might find. The Yanmar 3YM30 in mine has been a "bread and butter" motor and easy to maintain .......good luck in your quest,,,
 
I purchased the last R21 built and it was a 2006 model year. In the same year they started building the R21EC. In the R21 you could get a 3YM20 or a 3YM30 and I had the 3YM20. As well as the extended cabin they made a slight change to the bottom of the hull at the stern to obtain a slight speed increase. They were trying to state a 10 knot speed. Both were great boats but not known for speed. Really we did not buy them for speed anyway. The hull change mounted to flattening the hull bottom to get a little lift or to go a little more of a semi displacement design over a full displacement hull. At below 7 mph my fuel burn was less than ."75 gph but above 7 it jumped to over 1.5 gph. Loved the boat but went to a C-Dory just to get more speed. At times still miss the little tug.
 
Thank you all for your response, I really appreciate it. I am new to this whole Tug slow boat thing. I'm coming from a 18-20 knot twin 454 powered houseboat, a 28 knot cruise walk around and a 75 mph Bass Boat. But looking back the best times I had boating was cruising around on the intracoastal basically at an 3-4 mph idle speed. It was less noise, it didn't break the bank on fuel cost. Therefore, I'm really think slower will be easier and more enjoyable. I know from our old marina at Port St. Joe Florida most the trawler/tug guys were old sailboat guys. I was friends with several of them and they were just fine cruising slow. I was young and always in a hurry back then I just didn't get it. Now I realize the faster you go the faster life flies by lol. Anyone else coming from faster boats to the tugs? How is the transition.

I really like the layout of the 21EC. However, the 21's are a deal financially. Any idea why they stopped making them? Thanks again any opinions, good or bad, on the 21's is appreciated.
 
We have the "Martini" open launch version of the 21. Same hull, just a launch version, no cabin or pilot house. Built in 2001.

The engine is the 2 cylinder/20 HP Yanmar. Great little engine. Very easy to work on and parts are fairly cheap. Lots of Yanmar service people around too.

But if you are going the 21 route instead of the EC, and you want to get where you want to go in a reasonable amount of time, be sure to get the three cylinder version, not the two. Our boat cruises along the local canals very happily and quietly (shore viewers think that its electric it's so quiet) at 4-5 knots. The tach is sporadic but I suspect it's in the 1500 to 2000 RPM zone.

If you push the throttle up to get some more speed, the bow raises up, thinking that's it's going to plane but it's actually acting like a bull-dozer and just pushing a lot of sea water. It will get up to 6 knots but that's it and lots of noise and smoke.

So cruising at 5 knots is about it with this engine.

Bob/Bradenton
'01 Ranger "Martini" 21 open launch "Buttercup"
'99 Atlas Acadia 25 "Petunia" (A sort of Lobster Boat design)

PS: A few pictures of "Buttercup" are on page six of the Owner's Albums...
 
Here are my thoughts based on 400 hours at the helm of my R21-EC.

Like you, I have owned many different boats, and piloted even more: I have owned a Fisher Marine with a 35hp Merc, Regal 23' with a Mercruiser 350, Regal 21 with the 4.6L, a SeaRay 190 also with the 4.3L, and a SeaDoo Islandia with the 250 M2 jet drive. I have skippered, professionally, a 60' harbor cruise boat (100 ton) with twin Yanmars and Hamilton jet drives, ferried a handful of amazing craft, and crew on a C&C racer/cruiser as the main sail trimmer.

In my experience, I have gone really fast, and in sailing, relatively slow.

I currently live on the river just north of downtown Tampa and keep my 2015 21-EC on a lift in my backyard. The Volvo Penta D1-30 was replaced by the previous owner, courtesy of the recall in mid 2018.

I bought her with 25 hours on her in March of this year. I'll be doing the 400 hour service after the Christmas Parade with about 405 hours on the meter.

So my thoughts: Everyone loves the look of the boat - be prepared to chat with people when you are tied up at any marina, restaurant, anchorage or tiki bar. The fuel consumption is strikingly low. I average 16 m.p.g. per tank. She tracks like an arrow - if there is constant wind and current, you only need to lay a finger on the wheel to make a minor adjustments every minute or so - at any speed. LOVE that 2' keel, & inboard drive! She has just about every feature one could want in a small inland boat.

My thoughts that could be a negative, depending on your situation: She is slow. At 2/3 throttle, 2000 RPM, you are looking at 6MPH. (I use MPH on my GPS for a handful of personal reasons.) At 2500RPM you will see a bowrise, a proud wake, and an increase in speed to 7.5MPH. At wide open, 3000RPM you will squat in the water and make 8-9MPH, and attract dolphins and jetskiers who want to play in your wake. She does have a narrow beam, 7', I believe, so waves or wakes taken abeam will give you a good rock. Also any passengers moving about will cause a list and need a correction in the rudder to track on course. The wonderful deadrise on the bow section slices through 2' seas like a champ, and 3' rollers with only minimal lift.

Now living on a river, and mainly harbor cruising, much of the area a travel is limited to "minimum wake" and makes this the perfect boat. But if you are looking to get to a destination over the horizon, it will take some time. What's that saying: "It's the journey, not the destination?" This boat exemplifies that concept. During the journey you may very well enjoy A/C in the summer, heat in the winter, a cool bevy from the fridge, and windshield wipers when a storm pops up, all while underway.

I know this is many thoughts, using many words. I can get specific if you ask.
 
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