Wannabe Ranger Tug owner

[scross]

I just wanted to introduce my self as a new member here at TugNuts. I currently have a 24 ft fast cruiser that I have been using on local lakes since 2006.

Sadly, our local lakes have pretty much dried up here in Southern Oregon - even Lake Shasta is pretty low. Last summer I moved the boat up to Anacortes to try out cruising in the San Juans. My girlfriend and I loved our week long trip around the islands!

Seawater, currents, fog banks and tides are all new to me so I have been studying hard to get up to speed on what I need to know. I did well enough to not kill us or sink the boat last summer but there's still MUCH to learn.

We plan to spend a couple of weeks in the San Juans and Gulf Islands this coming summer. While my 24 ft cruiser is great for day trips on local lakes it's not the best boat for week long or longer cruises. We did fine going from full service marina to full service marina but we both want to do more than that. A more appropriate type of boat is called for. Specifically we would like a boat with a head big enough to close the door when in use, radar, sleeping more than two when necessary and being able to go on the hook and use a dingy to get to explore the shore.

The Ranger Tug 25SC, 25 Classic, 27 and Cutwater 26 have made the cut for what our next trailerable boat will be. Loved seeing all the new models at the Seattle boat show (Thanks again Andrew!) but our budget probably limits us to a used R27 or R25 Classic. I need to sell my current boat first of course!

In looking at maintenance issues mentioned on TugNuts for the R25 and R27 models I see that engine impellers, thruster shear pins, refrigerators, and engine water intake screens are mentioned frequently. Are there other maintenance issues I should be aware of when searching for a used Ranger 25/27 of Cutwater 26?

Anyway, that's me! Looking forward to being part of TugNuts and a Ranger/Cutwater owner in the not too distant future! Anyone know of anyone who wants a 1998 24 ft fast cruiser in good condition??

 

[Levitation]

Hi,
Well if you think the list of common issues on our Tugs is large you might want to go through the forums for other brands. :shock:

Tugs are well built but not perfect. In fact with machines perfect rarely comes below the level of 50 million dollar corporate jets. They are pocket yachts and equipped as such. With compact construction comes issues of access and how to physically access mechanicals and how to maintain those systems.
The minor issues you read about are commonly discussed, and minor. What sets Ranger Tugs apart is the open and free discussion right here in public between the owners and the factory with both ends of the conversation in view. This does not exist with the other manufacturers. And the majority of what you read, you will note, is the sharing of tips on performing what is routine maintenance as opposed to constant break downs.

Tug owners seem to take more interest in personally maintaining their boat which means they have have more questions. Whether a Tug is right for you only you can answer

 

[knotflying]

Denny-O is dead on. Our boats have what many larger boats have and in smaller spaces. As a friend once told me when you buy a boat the more systems you have the more maintenance and repairs you will have. The components that Ranger installs in their boats are top quality, but we are in a very hostile environment for electrical and mechanical components. Regular preventive maintenance is required. Shear pins break, fuses blow, impellers wear out and oil needs to be changed. When you own a boat you need to be mechanically and electrically adept or have more money and time to wait for a mechanic.
For those who choose to do their own work and share it on this forum this is a great asset. It shouldn't be an indication that we have more issues than other boat owners.
Join the community and you won't be sorry!

Mike Rizzo

 

[South lake]

It's not a maintenance issue but if you get a Ranger tug you must be prepared to be stopped at every boat dock or boat ramp where you will be asked all about that cool looking boat. It's a burden we all bear.

As to things to look for, I would get a competent marine surveyor to check out any used boat I was buying. That said, I've had lots of boats from 22' to 40' and my 2010 R25 is by far the best boat I've ever had. Quality second to none and better than most. Maintenance for me is always done by someone I pay and I've not experienced anything out of the ordinary. Factory support from Ranger Tugs on items you might see discussed here has been excellent on my Yanmar 150.

Finally, i don't think I've ever seen a post on Tugnuts or elsewhere that had someone saying they hate the boat, the company, or they wish they hadn't bought it. That's not true of other boats and manufacturers I've dealt with.

Just my thoughts.

 

[dialtone]

I 2nd what levitation said. Also : I have found the rigging on our cutwater much easier to understand than other brands which has helped me quickly resolve issues when out at sea. Good luck finding your next vessel.

Also, check out this thread : viewtopic.php?t=5400

 

[Gin]

Scross, as a fellow Oregonian, I just want to welcome you to the forum! I lived in Ashland for several years. I'm now up in Salem. There are several of us (Ranger Tug and Cutwater owners) in and around the greater Portland/Vancouver area. That's a bit of a distance from Ashland, but you can launch up here and enjoy a bit of cruising (say, from Portland to Astoria and back again) in this area too. If you ever do that, give a shout out on the forum and you might get some company!

Good luck finding the Ranger Tug of your dreams.

- Gini

 

[scross]

Gini, thanks for the warm welcome and your recommendation to try the waters around Portland. I may give that a whirl!

And thanks for all the other feedback and good suggestions!

If I got off on the wrong foot by sounding like the Ranger Tugs had a significant number of problems with them, forgive me. That was not my intent. I was very impressed with the quality and smart engineering I saw in the Ranger and Cutwater boats at the Seattle boat show. That's why they are the only boats on my short list to buy. And I would always have a boat surveyed before purchase - it's peace of mind for both the buyer and seller IMO.

I think the forum here of owners helping owners with the few issues that do come up is great. Monterey boats has a similar forum and it has been very helpful over the past decade that I have owned the 242 Cruiser. I perform most of the routine maintenance and upgrades on my boat with the exceptions of electrical issues and painting work.

While the number of systems in my 242 Cruiser is surprisingly similar to those of the Rangers, there are differences. I don't have radar, stern/bow thrusters, a windlass or built in GPS. And of course there's the difference between a gas I/O and a diesel Inboard power plant and everything that goes with that.

For a purchase of this financial magnitude and because I intend to keep the next boat at least a decade, I will typically do a minimum of a hundred hours of research before pulling the trigger. As a old (not bold) pilot with 45 years in the air who built and now flies an experimental airplane it's just my habit to be cautious and thorough before acting.

I'm sure after I end up with a Ranger or Cutwater boat that I will be back here at the TugNuts forum asking newbie questions that I can't find addressed in earlier postings. It's a great resource and I do appreciate having it to reference!

Thanks again to all for their feedback!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Southern Cross, you did not get off on the foot........as pointed out, this forum is a great place to get your boating questions answered, offer help to others and there are no wrong or bad boating questions, with the exception of the ones you do not ask. I would advise that you stay connected with Tugnuts while you're doing your Ranger Tug/Cutwater research, the forum is a great way to gain knowledge about what you are thinking about buying....and besides you may run a cross a slightly used RT/Cutwater for sale here by one of the current owners. In addition don't be shy about finding out about trading your Monterey in for the boat of your dreams.

Keep your questions coming, we're glad to try and help.

Jim

 

[Lenny and Louise]

Welcome, Southern Cross!

We bought our R25SC at the 2013 Seattle show and took delivery that August because that was the soonest job commitments would allow.

We operate on the Columbia River from Hayden Island, Portland. We make an annual three week cruise in Puget Sound which includes the Rendezvous, where we enjoy a great group of people. The boat is comfortable for the two of us and our two dogs. We don't get any place fast, and don't want to.

If you are heading this way, let us know.