Ranger R21 EC question?

C

Champ

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Apr 1, 2016
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
After 40 years since having my last boat my wife and I are considering a purchase. We live in the Hudson Valley, NY. We would be using it strictly on the Hudson River and Erie Canal for day and maybe an occasional over night stay. We are 75% sold on the Ranger R21 EC. We like the looks/style of it and has most if not all we would need in a boat.

We would prefer it in a size of the R23 with it's 8' 6" beam and 23' length. Would like self bailing, separate head and a little more cabin room. Assuming Ranger is not planning on offering this type model, are there any other manufacturers who do? The R23 is not an option as it is not as appealing to the eye to me and a little to luxurious.
 
I can't imagine a boat more suited to your description of your use than the 21 EC. Unless you have unlimited funds, then there are more luxurious options, but my 50 years of boating have taught me that the simpler the boat and it's systems, and a boat that is the smallest that will fill the bill, the more boating I do.
 
Champ, I totally agree with Harry ...... the R21ec is the ideal boat for the Hudson and the Erie. My wife and I have had Reflections on the Erie for week-long trips and we enjoyed the boat thoroughly. The boats speed and range are well suited for inland waterway cruising and I highly recommend you consider the Ranger 21ec. Another great feature of the "little tug" is that it is WAY TOO SMALL for your wife to load up with antiques and lawn art from all the great shops along the Erie and the Hudson. Good luck with your boat choices. Fran
 
Hard to go wrong on the R21EC. I'm on my third one. I also wanted a boat along the lines you mentioned: 8'+ beam, 23 loa, etc. with the R21EC looks. Couldn't find one. I gave up my first R21EC for a Rosborough RF-246. It was a really nice boat; I miss it. Don't know why I sold my second tug. Had hoped to continue sailing, but finally admitted it wasn't going to happen; and sold my sailboat. So, I went back to the R21EC. Found a nice one with only 30+ hours, still only have 39 hours on it. It is loaded, AC, etc. All it needs is radar.

I have a couple of nits. One is moving thru the door and around the helm seat when it is up. I'm 5'11"; 184 pounds. It's tight quarters. My second nit is ventilation. In GA, an opening front window is almost a necessity in the Summer. I've tried to find an aftermarket one; they were available when I bought my first tug in 2009. Doesn't seem to be the case these days.
I plan to add an auto pilot w/remote and spend some time in the cockpit.

The R23 is compelling. Don't like the looks as much. But, ventilation looks much improved; and seems roomier.
 
As the others have said, The EC21 would be an excellent choice for the Hudson River and the NY State canal system. There are a couple of people on this list that have or use boats on the upper Hudson. Possibly one of them could weigh in here. There used to be a Ranger Tug dealer in Coeymans, NY at the marina there on the Hudson. They don't come up as a current dealer though. They may still have a 21 you could test or know of one. I grew up next to the Hudson and can speak for the water there in relation to the 21's capabilities. I love my 21 on the canals and inland waterway here in Florida. It is ideal for speed, fuel consumption and cruising.

I added radar, chart plotter and an autopilot. The autopilot is GREAT making it a lot more sociable and relaxing not having to work the wheel. When coupled to my Garmin chart plotter life is very relaxing on the move. The radar is good for the heavy rain storms, dark night travel and occasional fog that can catch you out. My only issue is a non-private head for company that need to go. It can get interesting. But that's boating. The 21 can tuck into shore easily though. The 23 and up takes care of that issue at a cost.

I would suggest testing an EC21 if you have he opportunity.
 
Regarding privacy in using the head, we had a privacy curtain made out of canvas that covers the window on the door. We just stop where we are (which would not work in a river), put up the curtain. If more privacy is needed we actually have "black out curtains" for all the other windows (including the portholes) and we can put those up in under a minute.
 
Champ,
As a brand new boater I got my Ranger Tug 21 EC last year. I love it and I am constantly learning . Most of my boating is on the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley. The Maiden voyage was a long yet awesome trip. I went underway on the Long Island Sound, through Hell gate, down the East River with a night port call at Liberty State park the next day I went up the river to my new home port. It was great, I was in no rush and the scenery was amazing. I have been up (trailed) to New Hampshire, Piscataqua River, gulf of Maine, Rhode Island to block island and back. It has been an amazing trip so far. If you are not in any rush to go anywhere this boat is for you. I am at West Point if you want a trip on the Hudson. The Stripers start showing up near the end of the month.

J
 
HudsonRanger15":rltmzcin said:
Champ,
As a brand new boater I got my Ranger Tug 21 EC last year. I love it and I am constantly learning . Most of my boating is on the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley. The Maiden voyage was a long yet awesome trip. I went underway on the Long Island Sound, through Hell gate, down the East River with a night port call at Liberty State park the next day I went up the river to my new home port. It was great, I was in no rush and the scenery was amazing. I have been up (trailed) to New Hampshire, Piscataqua River, gulf of Maine, Rhode Island to block island and back. It has been an amazing trip so far. If you are not in any rush to go anywhere this boat is for you. I am at West Point if you want a trip on the Hudson. The Stripers start showing up near the end of the month.

J
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I appreciate all the responses. I guess the speed of the 21 is a concern. While I'm 65 I still feel I have places to go and dead lines to meet. The stability of the 21 is also another issue as it is a narrow vessel. We appreciate your offer and may take you up on it. Do you keep your 21 in a slip or trailer. If you trailer where do you put it in. Thanks again. Champ
 
I just posted a R21 in the for sale by owner section. Based in Athens NY. Let me know if you want to see it and take it for a test.
 
I'm 6' 2" and 225 lbs. Will I fit in the R-21 cabin comfortabley?
 
I am that size and my wife is 5'6" and we both fit rather well. Sleeping is cozy, I did take out the helm seat as it takes up too much space, my arms are long and I find I stand by the wheel when maneuvering and put a cushion on the fridge and sit there for long runs. Only need a finger on the wheel to steer. Check my photos for cockpit enclosure ideas.
 
I am 6'1" and 235 lbs. My wife is 6' and we have no problems with the space in the EC-21.It is tight but very doable. I also have the Raymarine EV200 auto pilot with the Sport drive between the dash and the steering wheel. I followed SGIDAVE's Sport drive install and shimmed the steering box further back behind the dash. That moved the Sport drive box tighter against the dash and gave me the necessary leg room. The standard helm seat is fine for me.

Everyone has their own comfort level so I would suggest trying out the EC-21 to see how you fit. The EC-21 is a small very well appointed boat.
 
Thanks all for your input. The Hudson Ranger15 is going to let us see and take a ride in his R-21 when he gets it out of winter storage in a few weeks. My wife and I greatly appreciate his offer. Nice thing to do for people he has never met. We are hoping to find that the few concerns we have are unjustified as I think this would be ideal for what we want to do.
 
I hear that the R-21 is slow. I've seen a few videos and it seems to move along pretty good? Fast enough for a couple of 65 year olds?
 
Are you talking about the R21 or R21 EC? Two different hull designs. The R21EC claims a semi-planing hull that will get you to about 10 knots or so. The R21 has only a displacement hull design. My R21 with the 18 hp Yanmar tops out at about 6 knots, but that is at 2800 rpm or so and a third of a gallon per hour of diesel. I love the displacement speeds because once I'm on the boat, I've arrived at my destination.

I had a C-Dory 22 cruiser with twin 50 hp engines that cruised off plane at about 7 to 8 mph and we liked that speed a lot and fuel consumption was very low. The boat would plane at about 21 MPH. The very few times we cruised on plane, we kept it to about 17 mph because of engine noise and pure comfort of handling.

As I look at my log book on the Dory, we spent 90% of our cruising time off plane because of the comfort and pleasure of being on a boat.

With my non-planing R21, I'll spend more time watching weather and distances to "safe harbors" than I did when on the Dory.
 
R-21 EC. Not interested in an older one.
 
Can anyone comment on the speed of the R-21 EC? It has been said it is slow. I've seen videos of it and seems to move along pretty good?
 
Champ":2854zmka said:
I hear that the R-21 is slow. I've seen a few videos and it seems to move along pretty good? Fast enough for a couple of 65 year olds?
Click to expand...

I'm in my 60s and my R-21 Classic suits me just fine. I have the 30 horse Yanmar and in slack water conditions my GPS shows about seven knots. If you're bucking a head tide of 3 knots...well, just kick back and enjoy the scenery. 😀
I tend to play the tides in my favor whenever I can.
It's a great little boat but it won't ever be a speed demon.
 
Champ, just for grins I plotted a rpm/speed graph on my 2011 21EC. Full fuel and only myself aboard. I have an acme 224 13X15.5 prop which produced the following speeds (mph) verified by GPS ..... 1000 = 2.5 1200 = 3.5 1400 = 4.5 1600 = 5.25 1800 = 5.9 2000 = 6.0 2200 = 6.5 2400 = 7.0 2600 = 7.5 2800 = 7.9 3000 = 8.25 3200 = 8.9 3300 (WOT) =9.3 The 21EC will never be confused with a Mastercraft ski boat but if you are outrunning a squall it will be able to get you to port in short order. As several of the other owners have stated life is best lived at six to seven mph 😉 Fran
 
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