Rear steer station - use it or no?

[bshillam]

Question, looking at several different models of the Ranger Tug that have the rear steer station. I know it's an option, did you buy your boat intending to use this feature? How often do you use it? I for one could find it would be very desirable for single handling the boat but want your weigh in. Never had a rear station and though this would be a huge improvement in dock handling.

 

[bob daily]

I installed a cockpit/aft helm station on my R-21 and use it mostly for fishing and crabbing. I have used it for docking but not much and could live without it if that was the only purpose. But for grabbing that crab float or trying to hang on to your fishing pole and control the boat at the same time it is worth its weight in gold! It's kinda like having thrusters you don't really need them but they make boating more enjoyable and less stressful at certain times! Bob

 

[Haifisch]

R31 S. When looking for a boat to buy, I thought I’d really like having the cockpit helm, but the boat we fell in love with did not have this. After running the boat for 2 years in the Puget Sound, I can’t think of too many times I would use it. Might be nice for crabbing and trolling but for all else the inability to see the bow would make me nervous. Additionally, we have a full enclosure installed during the winter months furthering the issue with visibility and ease of use.

I do everything from the helm seat and sliding door and can easily dock single handed. Thruster remote is nice to have at times and can be used from the cockpit area if you need some lateral movement.

 

[BradOwens]

If I didn't have the sliding pilothouse door I would probably want the aft station for single handed docking.
On Ranger Tugs the pilot house door is only on the R31 or pre 2015 R29.

 

[Rocky]

I have an R29s. It has the aft helm station. I don't use it much We will use it when watching whales, or talking to another boat. I have used it for picking up mooring balls single handed.... I thought I would use it for docking, but that is not an issue from the inside station.

That being said. I don't use it much, but I am glad I have it.

I hope that helps.

Rocky

 

[Martin610]

I have a Cutwater 28 with cockpit steering. I do a lot of trolling for stripers and blues, so the aft steering station is wonderful for that. For bottom fishing its very convenient for moving the boat from spot to spot.

Also use it in docking.

If I didn't fish I'm not sure it would be as necessary.

-martin

 

[SJI Sailor]

Use it occasionally for single handing, especially when departing. Also sometimes nice to have for mooring buoys and anchoring, especially if I'm on the bow and calling to the Admiral. And more rarely when running the engine while docked, such as adjusting the shaft packing. No fishing for us.

Overall, I like having it but wouldn't say it is a must have.

 

[Gin]

The aft helm station came on our boat, which we bought off the boat show floor. I would not have considered it a must have item if I had been configuring everything from scratch. Now, having had it, I would not be quick to give it up.

For me, it’s value is in single-handing the boat on and off the dock. I don’t use the aft helm in every outing or in all situations. Also, getting comfortable with it has taken and continues to take practice. But with that practice, from the aft helm I can single-hand off the dock in some situations that would be very challenging (or maybe simply not possible without help from someone on the dock) if I were limited to the front helm. Same goes for a few ways I get back on the dock. Most of those situations involve stronger or otherwise dicey wind and current.

I would never give up the helm door in exchange for the aft helm station. I love that door for the visibility it gives me, as well as the near-instant access on and off the dock to handle and secure lines. I use the helm door to one degree or another departing and docking 100 percent of the time. But the aft helm station has also proven its worth to me, and I hope to use it to increasingly good advantage over time.

Gini

 

[Mark Shine]

Question, looking at several different models of the Ranger Tug that have the rear steer station. I know it's an option, did you buy your boat intending to use this feature? How often do you use it? I for one could find it would be very desirable for single handling the boat but want your weigh in. Never had a rear station and though this would be a huge improvement in dock handling.

I couldn't do without it. For example, fished single handed yesterday and worked from the cockpit station all day. Fold down the helm seat and the Garmin and Volvo screens are easily visible through both the window and the door from the cockpit station, particularly on full screen mode. If they weren't so visible I'd make an excuse to add another Garmin screen back there.

 

[scross]

Our C-28 has the rear helm station. Never used in in 3 years.
But, I’m never single handed. If I was single handed I can see using it frequently! Mostly for catching mooring buoys but perhaps for backing out of a starboard tie slip as well.

 

[Eagle 2]

I like to fish Marlin, here in So Cal, so I wish mine had it, especially for single handing the boat while fishing. It just wasn't available when I was shopping the CB30 here. Caught a few on my Mainship I had before my Cutwater, and it was a challenge running back and forth from the helm station to move the boat while handling the rod with the other hand with a hot fish on the other end. Ran my Thruster batteries down as well! 🙂 Would also be great for Hoopnetting for Lobsters. Oh well, I"ll manage.

 

[SKing]

We have 30CB, I thought we would use the cockpit station but the sight lines are terrible for docking. Its easier to walk from the helm or comand bridge in 10 seconds than to mess with the cockpit station. It really is only for fishing.

 

[Rocky Lou]

I can fish for salmon, halibut or most any fish alone since I have an aft command station (and remote for AP)...not Bluefin or very large fish, but, that has more to do with bringing them over the side. While I rarely fish alone, it illustrates the point I'm trying to make and why I'd never have a boat without aft steering, nor a Command Bridge.