Thoughts on Ranger 21 going to Block Island from Connecticut

[SlackwaterJack]

I first experienced how well they work when sailing with a friend on his Catalina 27 equiped with leecloths, from San Diego to Dana Point several years back. I had made the same trip several times on my boat ( to Catalina as well) and usually arrived there wet and cold from all the water splashing into the cockpit (sailng north along the Cal. coast can really beat you up at times), often the swells are around 10 feet with 4 foot windwaves). The little 1"cockpit drains wouldn't allow the water splashes to drain fast enough before the next splash especially when the bow was down. The problem wasn't because of one or two big waves smashing into the boat but was a cumulative thing from lots of small splashes especially on the lee side when healed over a bit.

The lee cloths cover the entire rail from top to about an inch from the bottom. They are attached with either snaps or grommets/laces on long up and down tabs on either side of each rail. Lacing is more forgiving of fit but takes longer to install, but because they stay on full-time, that isn't a big deal. On a previous boat (Hunter 27) I had them made with a double thickness of sunbrella to allow zippered pockets between the stanchons. From the outside they look smooth because the attachments are on the inside. I have also seen them with panels of that corrigated pvc stuff sewn in between the rails instead of pockets. The only thing that's removed and stowed are the small "gates" that attach the rail to the pilothouse, they are seldom needed and can be put on in an instant.

***It needs to be said that they do not increase bouyancy, they simply deflect spray and splash by acting as extended cockpit coamings. They aren't intended to allow a boat to leave harbor into the teeth of a storm, but rather to make the return to port in foul weather more comfortable. The boat should only be used according to it's design limitations and the skill of the crew. They're a good idea if you frequently have young children aboard.

I plan on making a set for my R-21 as soon as I save enough pennies and earn enough wife credits. They aren't essential on the Snake River, but I really like the "salty" look.

I have some drawings in my photo gallery, I hope they help.

 

[Rick & Karen]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question....I did buy it and look forward to trying her out....ecspecially in rough conditions. It's a huge step up for us from our 15' Boston Whaler which we are now attempting to sell. I look forward to any and all info i find on this terrific site
Vickie

Hi Vickie and all of the other posters on this topic,

I have been operating Kolo Iki in Hawaii for the past 18 months and when you venture outside of the marina, you are in the ocean. There are no protected inland waterways or rivers. You can derive some benefit from being behind a headland like Koko Head or Diamond Head, but as you venture further out, the conditions often get rougher. It has been my experience that an R-21EC can handle much rougher conditions than the crew would be comfortable exposing themselves to for any length of time.

Like another poster mentioned, I have seen wave heights above the bow pulpit and I have watched the bow drop off a wave top and partially dip under the next incoming wave. That was one of those times when I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and a retreat back to calmer waters was in order. Like any other boating adventure, common sense should be the rule the day. After a year and a half of ocean operations, the only time I have ever had a wave wash over the beam of the boat, it was man made. I had a met a friend off Diamond Head for a photo shoot and he got a little too aggressive during his approach and waveoff in his go-fast cuddy cabin sport boat.

Congrats on your purchase and enjoy getting to know her, they are fun little boats and quite capable.

Aloha,

Rick