Ranger Tugs in SF Bay?

[Alberto]

Hello there,

My name is Alberto, and this is my first post on this forum. It sounds like a really friendly place, and it's great to see such a loyal and happy set of owners.

Even though I would classify myself as a sailboat owner/"lover" and not a big fan of powerboats (to say the least), I've always had a soft spot for tugboats - especially Rangers. While I'd rather swim than be on a SeaRay 😀 , I can definitely see myself owning and enjoying the heck out of a Ranger tug, so my wife and I are seriously considering a Ranger 29 for our next boat and for our next set of adventures.

I know that these boats are very popular in the Northwest, but I don't see many of them in the San Francisco Bay Area (where I live). It also looks like most of the posts on this site are from people in Washington/Seattle. I am wondering if the properties that make the SF Bay an amazing place for sailboats, make it less than ideal for tugs.

I would love to hear from active Ranger owners in the SF Bay (if any). I assume that the R29 would be great for going up the delta, but can the boat be enjoyed in the typical (i.e. choppy and windy) spring and summer afternoons in the middle of the bay? I would also appreciate any comments on the viability/sensibility of sailing (not trailering) an R29 from SF up and down the coast as far as South as San Diego and as far north as Seattle.

I am convinced that the R29 is a great boat but - as they say - "horses for courses". While I sincerely hope we end up joining the Tugnuts community as owners, I want to make sure that it's the right boat for where we currently live and sail.

Thanks a bunch,

Alberto

 

[buzzalger]

Hi Alberto,

I used to have a Westsail 32 that I kept at Oyster Point that was extensively sailed on the Bay and outside the Gate. There were times (headed south in the bay on a summer afternoon on a starboard tack with 30 kts of wind and 4-6 foot chop) that I would have killed for an inside steering station... or not having the boat heeling 20 degrees... or not having take in another reef in the main... or... I think you get the idea.

In the Northwest there's a lot of open water where the wind can get a good fetch and if the wind is against tidal flow things can get pretty dicey too. I wouldn't worry too much about whether a RangerTugs 29 can handle conditions in San Francisco Bay.

I'm thinking about bringing my boat down there sometime in the future. In the Westsail there were lots of sloughs on the Sacramento that were too shallow to get into with five+ feet of draft.

Go ahead. Come on over to the "dark side".

Buzz

 

[bluebayou]

Alberto,
As a native-born San Franciscan, I can respond to your Post, and say, first of all, that I bought my Ranger 25 in Alameda, and I sold it in Alameda also---for financial reasons, not because of the conditions on San Francisco Bay.
I had my R-25 (I know you're thinking of an R-29) around Treasure Island one day, and I headed into a dangerous combination of strong winds through the Golden Gate, changing tides between San Francisco and Yerba Buena Island, causing peaks in the waves, and swells in the 4-5 foot range. It was choppy, windy, cross-currents, and nasty. All that was missing was a white-out fog on the water.
While the high seas in the "middle of the Bay" challenged this skipper and the R-25, in retrospect, there was never a monent of danger, and the boat handled the extreme conditions better than my nerves. I had 3 guests on board, and they were not in the least worried, and the boat and I navigated our way up and down the swells, and into the prevailing currrent or winds, as need be. AND, the R-25 is only 8-6 in beam, whereas the R-29 is 10 feet beam. Plus, the extra length of the R-29.
So, I think it's completely safe to say that an R-29 would be ideal for San Francisco Bay, and I'm sure there are a half-dozen in the Bay and the Delta already. Why don't you contact Pat Garfield, owner of Farallone Yachts in Alameda, the local Ranger dealer? She'd be glad to take you out in her R-29, and she's a licensed "Captain" with the Coast Guard---and knows boats and boating much better than most of us. She could also connect you with R-29 owners nearby.
And, you're right, Ranger Tugs are wonderful in the greater Delta.
Charles

 

[Alberto]

Thanks a bunch for your replies Buzz and Charles. The information is much appreciated.

I am already talking with the fine folks at Farallon Yachts in Alameda. That's where I saw the Ranger Tugs and had my plans of looking for a new sailboat derailed by them.

I see that SF Bay Nordic Tugs owners have a pretty good community going (http://www.sfbanta.org) with regular get togethers and cruises, but there does not seem to be something similar for Rangers. I guess I might have to start one if I end up getting one (but I have to confess that I also like the Nordic and plan to check them out.)

Thanks again for your help,

Alberto

 

[bluebayou]

Alberto,
Briefly, consider that the Nordic Tug is more price, less speed, and, finally, you have to step up and down in the cabin, if I recall correctly. Yes, they've been at it longer, but Ranger Tugs are quite superior.

Not that I'm biased or anything,
Charles

 

[Harmony]

OK. I have to say upfront that I am biased. If I were not, I would not be taking delivery of a new R29 this week. But my family did lots and lots of research. We think Nordics are great. But for our purposes, not as great as the Ranger tugs. There are so many reasons we like the Ranger. The biggest reason is the size. Ranger packs more luxury and more capability into the 29 than any other boat. Bar none. And because of the size, if you want, you can trailer it or have it trailered to exciting destinations and increase your enjoyment exponentially. For instance, we are having the boat trailered to Baja for several months in the winter. Ranger has a great guy who takes the tugs all over the place. That kind of flexibility you just don't have with a larger boat. But we still wanted all of the great systems that would let us go off the grid. So we added options like a desalinization water maker, solar panel, and awesome navigation systems. Those are things Ranger offers as upgrades. Also know that Ranger includes as standard so many sweet upgrades that other companies charge extra for. Like bow thrusters and stern thrusters. Check out the list of standard items...it's so impressive. And you will NEVER get such dedication. We've been to the factory. There is care and superb execution every step throughout the building process. The workmanship is superior. And it's made in the USA!

 

[Alberto]

OK. I have to say upfront that I am biased. If I were not, I would not be taking delivery of a new R29 this week. But my family did lots and lots of research ...

Hi Harmony,

First of all, thank you for your post and advice. I hadn't considered the trailerability too much because I don't have a truck that would allow me to take advantage of it - nor a place to keep a trailer, but hearing that there is at least one trusty and reliable person who can do that for us is a big plus.

Second, congratulations on getting your new R29 this week. I've read your past posts and I look forward to reading about your experiences going forward.

Alberto