Thoughts on a new purchase

C

CPLucasMA

Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Messages
11
Fluid Motion Model
C-26
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Wilderness Systems, Current Designs, Winonah, MR
Vessel Name
Zoftig
MMSI Number
338349784
I have been drooling over Ranger tugs for years and it is almost time to take the plunge! I am looking to buy in the Spring of 2015. I am pretty sure that I am set on the 25SC. This will be my first boat. Thoughts? Advice? Also looking to take classes on boating safety, navigation, etc. in my area (Salem, MA). Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated!
 
Just took the plunge myself and cant wait to explore the waters ! I found a gently used R25 classic and my wife and I feel its a great size for a couple - small enough to trailer well but just large enough to be comfy and safe in most waters. I debated going more spartan ( and cheaper) but figured I had one shot at spoiling the wife,so picked the Ranger over some others on the short list-Rossi and the CDory 25. When we took the plunge we pledged to not get the urge to lust after the 27 or larger( they just keep getting more incredible!) For us , the 25 seems 'just right'.
 
Interesting that my wife & I rode our motorcyle to the Salem area (from New Brunswick Canada) last summer to look at a couple of R25s. I ended up purchasing a 2008 R25 in Maryland last fall and towed it home from there . We are so looking forward to next spring to get it in our local waterways. I believe as you do that the R25 is the perfect size for us as we will be able to trailer it and explore lots of different areas. This winter I am taking a Power Aquadron course on Engine and Boat Maintenance plus reading a lot of other material. I wish you well in your search!
 
As owners of the a 2010 R25 in Salem, MA, we would be more than happy to show off our little tug and what she can do this season as you save up for your own tug. We moor her ~200 yards off the Winter Island Boat ramp. Having a mooring sucks sometimes, but you can't beat the view when you wake up to an unobscured sunrise out the cockpit door!

The North Shore is a great place to have a tug, as it's an easy spin down to Boston, the Cape, and Island, or a jaunt up north to Acadia National Park. We like cruising up to Gloucester to see the schooner race, or out to Great Misery Island. You're going to LOVE owning a tug in Salem. Maybe we can start our own North Shore fleet with YOLO!
 
My wife and I purchased a 2014 R25SC in November after owning a 21EC for a few months. We made the mistake of going to the Ft Lauderdale boat show and were hooked. We traded in the 21 and also our Macgregor 26 and have no regrets. We've already done a couple of overnights on it and a lot of day cruises. We moved to Jupiter Florida about a year and a half ago from Albuquerque and had a big learning curve. Navigation to us used to be "Oh, we're at the end of the lake. Let's turn around.". We joined the US Power Squadron in West Palm and have already taken their seamanship course and are now taking their piloting course. We highly recommend it, especially if you are new to boating. We aren't new to boating, just big water. :shock: Good luck with your purchase.
 
I owned an R21 for two seasons and moved up to an R25 in 2010. My wife and I have taken it to the Erie Canal two years in a row, cruised from Dennis ,MA to Essex, CT and hauled it to two Ranger Tug rendezvous. This is in addition to our usual summer cruising here in Nantucket Sound. The boat has filled our needs superbly. You still have a few days to catch the NE Boat show and talk to Peter Haywood, the Ranger Tug dealer in Salem. He is no pressure and very reputable. He also has preowned boats from time to time. I know he would let you crawl over the boats and truthfully answer your questions.
 
Maureen and I started with the Ranger 25 Classic (Solitude) back in 2007. After 25 years of sailing, we decided it was time to move to the dark side and we bought our first cruising motor boat.

The R25 was a great boat for what we were doing at that time, boating on the Western Desert Lakes of Mead and Mohave. Then 2 1/2 years later, we moved up to Karma, our R-29. We enjoyed Karma for another 2 1/2 years exploring the PNW. And then, we decided since we were spending 200+ nights a year aboard, a bigger boat was necessary. We traded Karma for a Helmsman PH38. Destiny has been in the PNW for 2 years (oh crap, we are once again approaching that 2 1/2 year mark!). We have had many wonderful adventures aboard her spending four weeks aboard last summer exploring all the way north to the Octopus Islands and back.

Then.... at this years Seattle Boat Show, we decided it was time to purchase a "Lake Boat". Since we had recently relocated back to Henderson Nevada from Castle Pines Colorado, the great Desert Lakes were once again calling. So, we once again made the plunge and bought our third Ranger Tug. This time though, we went down in size. We bought the Ranger Tug that started this relationship, an R-21EC. We will keep Destiny in the PNW and Stella Maris will be kept in a very large Air Conditioned Garage behind our home.

Today, I took delivery of Stella Maris. It was short lived though. Once Kenny and I spent a few hours cruising around Lake Union, he hauled her back to the factory. Next week she will head to S3 Maritime Services to have her Surrey Top Frame made. From there she will travel next door to King Marine Canvas. Dave will take care of the long list of canvas items that we have given them. Once all is complete, she will head back to the factory until I have fully recovered from my ACL surgery which will take place on the 10th of March.

We will keep her in the PNW for the month of April until I tow her back to Henderson. Mid May will find her exploring the greatest of Desert Lakes, Lake Powell for a week.

What a great life we lead!
 
I have owned many boats in my life and everyone of them eventually fell victim to the dreaded 4' disease. I wanted a 21' foot ranger and am now holding out for a 27', maybe a 29'. Go big early! 😀
 
We purchased a slightly used 2010 25SC one year ago and have one full season with over 300 hours under our keel.
Our home waters are Narragansett Bay out to Block Island RI. Last year we went to the tug rendezvous at Greenport NY.
This is our 4th power boat over the years (they just keep getting larger) and this is the only boat my wife has truly enjoyed.
This is a very seaworthy boat, I've had it in close to 6' seas off the coast without a problem, the boat can take more than the crew. The amenities on the boat make long cruises possible and comfortable.
As a first boat it might seem to be a bit intimidating with all the systems you will have to learn but it really is easy. The Garmin navigation system makes navigation a breeze.
You have a great dealer right in Salem who will help you along the way.
Use this time to take courses with the USCG Auxillary or Power Squandron in your area, They should be offering courses now.
I will also extend an invite to take a ride on Narragansett Bay with us, Salem Ma isn't that far away. Just send a PM.
 
YOLO is definitely in!

I also suggest joining a local Power Squadron (Beverly or Marblehead), as they offer courses all the time.

Send me an e-mail any time and hopefully I can answer any questions you might have related to the area.
 
You said your first boat.. If you havnt already ,rent or go out with someone who has a boat . Drive it dock it get a feel for it..and maybe even stay out on one over night.. Boating is fantastic for most people .. Not all.. These boats tend to make people fall in love with them , then some realize they can't stand boating .. Just not for them.. I have so many people start telling me how they want to live the boating life and purchase a boat like mine.. But they have never boated before.. I tell them all to try before you buy .. Is a big investment.. It is a great life but really not for everyone..
Good luck
Mark
 
Thank you everyone for all the response! Who knew?!
 
Our first boat was a Ranger R-25 (classic). It took us three years of research and contemplation before we found it. We learned to boat on it, after taking a number of Power Squadron courses before it was built. For three years we gradually increased our confidence and competence. While we went on many 3-5 day cruises, we never ventured north of Whidbey Island.

But, we were convinced we would continue, and become good boaters. So, we upgraded to an R-29. The next two summers we cruised the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, and up to Desolation Sound and beyond. Our cruises stretched to 2-4 weeks. At the end of 2013 we took delivery of a new R-31 sedan, and envision ourselves going further, and for longer stretches.

The R-25 was a wonderful boat, fully capable of going anywhere we wanted to go. It just happened that when we wanted to go further, we decided we also wanted to go bigger. The boats, the support of the factory, and the wonderful owner community, made our decision to upgrade very easy. Both times.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
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