Ranger 27 out in the water by myself ?

Y

yorangerjim

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2018
Messages
114
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2736J819
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Ranger 27 northwest edition
Vessel Name
R & R
I just received my 2019 Ranger 27 and love it. My goal is to take it out by my self and dock it by myself (it does have a front bow thruster.At this time I always have a mate on board, This is my first large boat for me

If I could get some opinions thing to do and not to do when you are out in the boat by yourself.


Thanks


Jim
 
Prepare and practice. You can get comfortable single-handing the 27, but it will take some practice. As far as close quarters maneuvering, I suggest you go into open water, toss a floating cushion over and practice getting close to it... bow, stern, either side. When you can successfully maneuver to that cushion, you can try coming alongside a long dock. Use plenty of fenders. When you get good with that, you will be ready to try pulling forward into a slip. Then backing in. While out in open water, learn how your boat will handle as you pull forward and reverse. Neutral is your friend: make a maneuver, put the boat into neutral, see how it reacts.

Out in open water, be sure to have your head on a swivel: look out all around you; make that part of your scan. Practice putting fenders on and removing them in open water - when you are ready to head to the docks, put the fenders and dock lines on well in advance. Be sure to have the lines tied or looped so they can't fall in the water and get caught in the prop. I have used a single line run from the bow cleat, outside the railings, and to a rear cleat so you can hop off the boat and hold onto that line. At the dock, you can step off the boat, drop that line over a cleat, and be ready to tie off bow and stern breast lines. Many marinas will have someone help you at the dock if you let them know you are coming in single-handed.

Be safe - a lot of us don't wear a PFD while in the cabin, but I would suggest an inflatable PFD any time you are out by yourself. Set limits as in: don't go to the bow if you are solo... until such time that you have gained confidence well before hand. File a float plan - let someone know where you are going and when you intend to arrive, then check in with that person.

I have single-handled boats up to the mid-40 foot range, once I know the boat well. It is doable, with practice ahead of time, with a "safety person" onboard.

Good luck and enjoy your new Ranger!
 
Wow that was great advice
Thank you
 
Hi Jim,

JamesTXD beat me to it. Here is what I have to add when you are ready to try docking.

Pick a day when the docks are not busy, the weather is calm, and no one is around. Take the boat out by yourself and dock it multiple times: bow in Starboard tie, bow in Port tie, stern in Starboard tie, stern in Port tie. Then have a nice cold beverage and think about all the things you did wrong and what you could do to make it easier (fenders prepared, lines prepared, thruster remote hanging on your neck, position of the wheel, feel for the momentum of the boat, amount of throttle). Then do it all over again until it is muscle memory. Once you think you’ve really got it, go back out when it is blowing at least 15 knots and it is busy at the docks and do it again. Enjoy another cold one! Everything else is a piece of cake!

Enjoy the boat!

Curt
 
You have gotten very good advice and information. When we were trailering our 27OB, I could not dock it alone. The winds and the currents at the boat ramp were always more than the bow thruster could handle and it was difficult to get it tied up to the dock even with help on board, even with help on the dock. Once we had a protected slip in a marina, I practiced docking alone, but with help available on board. I had them in a 'standby' position but told them not to touch anything and I let them know exactly what I was going to be doing when so they knew not to get in my way. After practicing that way enough times to be comfortable, then I was able to take the boat out alone. Neutral is your friend and I wouldn't depend on the bow thruster, it is helpful, but I feel it is under powered, especially if there is much of any wind.
 
Red Raven":2778g3rq said:
Hi Jim,

JamesTXD beat me to it. Here is what I have to add when you are ready to try docking.

Pick a day when the docks are not busy, the weather is calm, and no one is around. Take the boat out by yourself and dock it multiple times: bow in Starboard tie, bow in Port tie, stern in Starboard tie, stern in Port tie. Then have a nice cold beverage and think about all the things you did wrong and what you could do to make it easier (fenders prepared, lines prepared, thruster remote hanging on your neck, position of the wheel, feel for the momentum of the boat, amount of throttle). Then do it all over again until it is muscle memory. Once you think you’ve really got it, go back out when it is blowing at least 15 knots and it is busy at the docks and do it again. Enjoy another cold one! Everything else is a piece of cake!

Enjoy the boat!

Curt
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Red Raven":2qiq31b3 said:
Hi Jim,

JamesTXD beat me to it. Here is what I have to add when you are ready to try docking.

Pick a day when the docks are not busy, the weather is calm, and no one is around. Take the boat out by yourself and dock it multiple times: bow in Starboard tie, bow in Port tie, stern in Starboard tie, stern in Port tie. Then have a nice cold beverage and think about all the things you did wrong and what you could do to make it easier (fenders prepared, lines prepared, thruster remote hanging on your neck, position of the wheel, feel for the momentum of the boat, amount of throttle). Then do it all over again until it is muscle memory. Once you think you’ve really got it, go back out when it is blowing at least 15 knots and it is busy at the docks and do it again. Enjoy another cold one! Everything else is a piece of cake!

Enjoy the boat!

Curt
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
When I was learning how to drive a submarine, my first captain told me two things that really apply to every size ship/boat and I still think of them today whenever we are mooring:

1. Slow is fast (meaning it will take less time overall to make one, controlled, slow approach rather than multiple fast ones)
2. Don't approach the pier faster than you intend to hit it
 
I like the way you put it for #2. I was taught by a dock hand neutral is your friend, approach as you suggest in #2 and if you need to adjust it is just a little bump in and out of gear. It does take practice to learn how the stern will react to any change in direction.
When leaving the dock at my house i leave a line up high on a piling so i can grab with a pole easily.
Last thought from me..forget about anyone watching that might make you nervous. They probably will not offer to pay for damages caused by the entertaiment you provide.
 
mjq1987":20hqm4iy said:
When I was learning how to drive a submarine, my first captain told me two things that really apply to every size ship/boat and I still think of them today whenever we are mooring:

1. Slow is fast (meaning it will take less time overall to make one, controlled, slow approach rather than multiple fast ones)
2. Don't approach the pier faster than you intend to hit it
Click to expand...
thank you
 
About having fenders deployed....

If you dock in a shared slip be sure to have fenders out on the boat's side that faces your neighboring boat.

Also have your boat hook/pole ready for use.

Go slow/glide in neutral with bow pointing/angled at dock side and when almost alongside dock side use the outboard to move the stern to the dock side.

Just go slow, slow, slow..... it's not a race.
 
Curt's advice above is dead on. What I did with my RT25 and RT29s. stayed on the boat, got up early and found some empty slips on the far end of the marina and with plenty of fenders out, did exactly what Curt said. did a few hours of practice and now I'm an "old salt....."
 
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