What an Incredible Voyage it has been

[Stella Maris]

It has been nine years since we attended the Seattle Boat Show and bought our first Ranger Tug. Solitude was hull #24 of the Ranger 25 model. She was the first to be simply a “Ranger Tug” after the break up of Ranger Tugs and C Dory. Many people are unaware that originally Rangers were called “C” Rangers.

We cruised Solitude extensively on Lake Mead, Mohave, and Lake Shasta. That was until the summer of 2009. In early 2009, John Grey suggested a Ranger Tug Rendezvous in the PNW to bring together the growing fleet of these great boats. Before we knew it, Maureen and I were putting together this incredible event. All the while living in Henderson Nevada.

We trailered Solitude to the PNW for the first time in September of 09. That first rendezvous saw 21 Rangers in attendance as well as three brand new Ranger models provided by the factory.

The event was highlighted by a cruise to Poulsbo where 15 of these “Little Tugs” showed up seeking temporary moorage for a few hours. The staff at Poulsbo was great at making room for the flotilla.

We were now sold on PNW cruising. While sitting on the dock in Poulsbo with Bruce and Vicki of Moonshadow and, Darrell and Dee of the R25 Lucky Fin the evening after the rendezvous, we made the decision to buy a new R29 and keep her in the PNW.

We cruised Karma for two and half years in the PNW visiting the Gulf Islands, Desolation, the San Juan’s, along with many many locations on Puget Sound.

After spending an average of 250 nights a year aboard Karma, we knew we had to get a larger boat. At the Boats A Float show in 2012, we purchased a new Helmsman PH38. Destiny has been a great boat taking us far and wide. We have cruised her from the southern most end of the Sound to the Octopus Islands and points in between.

Now, she is our permanent home. Maureen left Sam’s Club and joined the Whole Foods Market Team here in Seattle this past June. She no longer commutes to Vegas and back each weekend. Now her weekend commute takes her to locations nearby on Destiny.

Destiny is three and a half years new and this weekend. While swinging on her hook in Eagle Harbor, we celebrated another milestone. Destiny hit the 1,000-hour mark. While celebrating with a nice glass of our favorite wine, we reminisced about all of the great people we have met through the purchase of Solitude. While we no longer own a Ranger, we still have many great friends and memories.

It is amazing what one decision in life can bring you.

What a great life we lead.

 

[baz]

Well done Dave & Maureen. Your postings are inspirational. With some luck we may even take up moorage with you at Stimson for our new R-21EC.

Unlike you, we upscaled from our R-25 (Classic) to the R-21EC in the past few weeks. We had her first cruise from Skyline/Anacortes to Roche and back for the annual Rendezvous which you started in late 2009, and which we attended as our first cruise with our new R-25. I recall the flotilla that motored up from Bremerton to Poulsbo. We trailed a bit with following seas steering our boat all over the place and which made us uncomfortable and so we cut off and headed back to Edmonds as 1st Mate was feeling a bit queasy.

I recall Bruce/Vicky giving us good advice on fenders when leaving the dock... I had the habit of pulling them in almost immediately when leaving the dock and Vicky said to not do that... 😉

A bigger boat was in my mind for a few years but as our requirements changed and 1st Mate's health situation changed/worsened it was clear to me a smaller boat was more suitable... so we went for the R-21EC. After a few weeks with our new Laxey we couldn't be happier. Jeff/Andrew/Kenny and the Kent factory made it a real pleasure buying Laxey, and seeing it being built.

You know, you are famous as when I went to S3 Maritime to have my Raymarine AP Course computer and p70R Control head software updated they knew all about you. No matter, they still charged me 1 hour of their labor rate... no discount for me knowing you. :lol:

On our way up to Roche our small flotilla of Bob/Nita in their R-29 and Eileen/Jay in their R-21EC Zenyatta we encountered a large commercial barge crossing our path ahead. Bob warned us that it was leaving a big wake of three nasty waves of maybe 6 to 8 feet. The R-29 was the first to cross this wake and on the first one it rose out of the water as it crested with the front half of the R-29 completely out of the water and then disappeared. OMG I thought, what will happen to us. Well, there was nothing else to do but brave it and slowed down to hopefully ride the three waves. No such luck. We crested the first wave and then Laxey simply slid down the backside and dug in deep into the next with the front end disappearing in front of my eyes. Water all over the Pilot House. Laxey got a thorough washing but amazingly enough no water got into the cockpit as we had the canvas top and full enclosure securely buttoned up. 1st Mate laying on the V-berth was completely lifted up from the cushions along with our two Fox Terriers. Thank goodness I warned them about what to expect, so no head banging or dog yells happened. Gill's only comment was... "Are you OK ?". :lol: So, our R-21EC Laxey is a stout little boat and I have no misgivings about its capabilities. The R-21EC is far more engaging than our R-25 IMO, and in a good way. I love its little 30 HP engine and of course its fuel sipping behavior. It purrs ever so nicely at 3000 RPM.

Thanks for all your cruise reports. 🙂

 

[Irish Mist]

I too am great full for all your postings as they helped out a lot during the decision to purchase our 29. We have and still think about moving up to a larger boat but the trailering aspect is hard to pass up , especially with us being unsure of our direction these days... In a good way 🙂
Congratulations on your 1000 hours.. It's one thing to live on a boat.... Its another to live on a boat that leaves the dock 🙂
Best
Mark and Jodi

 

[REO6205]

On our way up to Roche our small flotilla of Bob/Nita in their R-29 and Eileen/Jay in their R-21EC Zenyatta we encountered a large commercial barge crossing our path ahead. Bob warned us that it was leaving a big wake of three nasty waves of maybe 6 to 8 feet. The R-29 was the first to cross this wake and on the first one it rose out of the water as it crested with the front half of the R-29 completely out of the water and then disappeared. OMG I thought, what will happen to us. Well, there was nothing else to do but brave it and slowed down to hopefully ride the three waves. No such luck. We crested the first wave and then Laxey simply slid down the backside and dug in deep into the next with the front end disappearing in front of my eyes. Water all over the Pilot House.

That was quite a wave. 6 to 8 feet? What kind of tug and barge was it? The tugs and barges I've been on might make a fairly good wake when we were down to our marks but I don't remember ever producing anything like that. Was it one of the new style ATBs? Some of them can move right along.
Hey, if nothing else, you got to try out your windshield wipers...right?

 

[Boont Boater]

A good suggstion I remember from a C-Brats post was turn around and try to get away from a huge wake. Our boats aren't as fast as a C-Dory and I would still turn around to face the wake but distance might soften the blow. :shock:

 

[Boont Boater]

David and Maureen I do remember your posts about Karma. It helped me appreciate what you can do on a Ranger 29. Best of luck in your continuing boating adventures.

Jeff

 

[walldog]

On our way up to Roche our small flotilla of Bob/Nita in their R-29 and Eileen/Jay in their R-21EC Zenyatta we encountered a large commercial barge crossing our path ahead. Bob warned us that it was leaving a big wake of three nasty waves of maybe 6 to 8 feet. The R-29 was the first to cross this wake and on the first one it rose out of the water as it crested with the front half of the R-29 completely out of the water and then disappeared. OMG I thought, what will happen to us. Well, there was nothing else to do but brave it and slowed down to hopefully ride the three waves. No such luck. We crested the first wave and then Laxey simply slid down the backside and dug in deep into the next with the front end disappearing in front of my eyes. Water all over the Pilot House.

That was quite a wave. 6 to 8 feet? What kind of tug and barge was it? The tugs and barges I've been on might make a fairly good wake when we were down to our marks but I don't remember ever producing anything like that. Was it one of the new style ATBs? Some of them can move right along.
Hey, if nothing else, you got to try out your windshield wipers...right?

I am so sorry guys, I did not know that Willie's Tug could throw such a wake. If I had known, I would not have come so close your flotilla of 21s plus Bob and Nita. Please accept my heartfelt apologizes.

:lol:

 

[baz]

Herb: Has your R-31 changed to this maybe.... :lol:

 

[walldog]

Day 2 of the Movistar O’Neill Pantin Classic was treated to a full day of action with twenty heats taking place in testing five to eight foot (1.5 to 2.5 meter) waves taking the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) 5-Star event into the top seeded surfers’ round with big names getting their start in the event.

 

[Scottfree]

Another 29! I agree they are a great boat. I'm anxious to hear how the old compares to the new. Have you picked out a name? It could just be Karma too! I can confirm yellow is a great color, easy to clean and looks great with a little wax. Congratulations on your new boat.

Leon & Karen