Tugmuts Archive Steering the 27 ranger trwaler

T

tyronetpt

Active member
Joined
Apr 4, 2021
Messages
27
Fluid Motion Model
R-27 Classic
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2707F516
Vessel Name
Lit'l Sunflower
MMSI Number
RCPCCB22D
I recently sold my sailboat and purchased a 27 Ranger trawler. I find the steering very different particularly when going slow. It feels like the steering is all over the place. I'm assuming it takes some getting use to. How do other Ranger trawlers feel about the steering?
 
Hello!
We sold our sailboat and bought a 27 Ranger Tug also last fall and yes, the steering is different and takes a little getting used to for sure. I found less steering and waiting for the boat to react to minor adjustments is what worked for us. Not like a tiller for sure! Ours is a 2016 27 with inboard diesel. Not sure how the outboard engine models fair.
Dean and Patti Raymond
Barnegat Bay, NJ

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk
 
We had Inboard Outboard boats for decades and at slow speeds they always fishtailed. The Ranger Tugs (we had a R25 inboard) are much better at driving a straight line at slow speeds. A trip on a canal or other narrow passageway is much more pleasant with the inboard Ranger. Give it a little time and you will get used to it not responding quite like a sailboat with a rudder ten times as large. Try not to oversteer. Your position sitting in the front 35% of the boat also gives you a different perspective than sitting at the stern of the sailboat where you can see the turn a little quicker.
 
One thing that can affect the steering of these boats - any inboard power boat for that matter - is if there is air trapped in the hydraulic steering system. We have an R29 and with a well maintained steering system, I find the boat drives very well; but surely different than a sail boat with it's deep keel and rudder.
 
Hello! We had to have out RT 27 2016 towed this weekend after having a mechanic check out our steering fluid level and bled it again (that was just done.). We are at Lake Coeur d'Alene and the boat is originally from Ballard. We could not steer the boat out of the marina and it would only go to the left. The mechanic said the rudder was not moving at all. He gave up and that is why we left and went home. We are watching videos on the Tug You tube channel. Some words that caught my attention was "heading hold" and Shadow drive. We looked at the gauges and it said autopilot was on standby. We have not used it yet. We have no idea what to do. We do understand the steering with a tug is not tight, but this was weird. We are at home trying to work on this stuff. We are headed to the San Juans in July for our yearly jaunt, but want to make sure everything is working. Thanks!
 
I had the same feeling when I first got our R27 Classic. We came from a stern drive instead of a sailboat but still very different. After 7 years with our tug I can’t imagine anything easier to handle. With the thrusters even easier than our 19ft cuddy. You will get used to it and love it. I know people that have gone from the inboard R25 to the outboard R27 and had the same comments. You’ll learn with time and wonder why you had any problem before.

My only additional advice beyond what is said above and in the linked thread is to think about “momentum” and “thrust”. The boat does not steer with the small rudder and keel without thrust. Once you have momentum in a certain direction (including radially around a centerline point near the helm, about 35% from the bow) the boat will continue in the same direction and rotation unless you use thrust (the steering wheel is nearly useless without thrust and always is useless in reverse). When docking, line up your approach, stop all motion, read the wind and current, and then give enough thrust and steering wheel to create momentum in the direction and rotation you want to go. The thrusters can then be used to make small adjustments as your momentum takes you into the dock.

Curt
 
I can only imagine what you are experiencing after owning and operating a sailboat. I am always amazed at the way a sailboat handles in tight quarters. I have seen many sailboats back down a full marina fairway pivot and turn in the boats length and the captain is doing this with little effort. The boat pivots on the keel and the large rudder is responsive with little hull momentum.

Being totally honest the Ranger and Cutwater inboard boats are the easiest single engine boats to handle in tight quarters once you get use to handling the boat. When I purchased the C26 Cutwater. The single inboard I thought was going to be difficult to handle and stern in dock. I have operated and deliver all kinds of power boats over the years and always cringed when I had to pilot a single inboard vessel. 20 + years ago most boats didn't have thrusters installed. Now they install them on ski boats!!! Stern drive and outboard vessels in a single power application are easy to handle, Twins engine power plants have counter rotating props anyone can handle those! I believe sailboats are right along side twin engine boats for the ease of handling in tight marina conditions.

When I did my first sea trial in the Cutwater I was amazed at how responsive it was compared to other straight inboard single screw boats I had piloted. Yes it takes some finesse but easily learned. Using the right hand rotation prop walk in your favor will allow you to turn the boat in its own length without using the thrusters. In my case I rarely used the thrusters for docking or maneuvering the boat. I called them my O'S _ _ T sticks !!! I used them when wind or current was taking over and the prop and rudder were not responding to my maneuvers. Hull momentum is your friend, Prop walk if used properly is your friend. Using reverse momentum and forward rudder you can put theses little boat where ever you want and look like a pro.

I believe once you operate your R27 a few times and get the feel for the prop walk and rudder you will think you are piloting your sailboat. I now own a twin engine boat. It is a bit larger than my C26. The twin engine boat handles nicely and has a bow thruster which I have never used except for making sure it works. When I bring this 34' boat into a slip I am not yet has confident as I was handling my single engine Cutwater. I believe you are in the" Same Boat" as me.
 
As a former owner of 4 sailboats, It does get easier. Pick calm conditions (wind, current and traffic down) and practice as much time as you can. Having a friend on board with a fending pole is a definite confidence booster too. I started doing lots of approaches to empty end docks that I could find, then empty slips at the end of a fairway and finally my slip in the fairway. No one ever complained - mostly they love looking at the boat. Hardly use the thrusters now except for when wind and current and having their way with me. That said... 1) I never leave or approach the dock without the thrusters ON and tested and 2) I berth bow in (kudos to those who can back in - something to look forward to). HTH, Gary
 
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