What size Ranger Tug for my family?

[vt97john]

Hello Tugnuts,

I have some experience boating on other peoples' boats and now I'm looking at buying my first boat. I'm leaning towards a used Ranger Tug and I'd like to stay in the $100k-$120k range. I have a wife and a 5 year old boy and an 8 year old girl. Do you think we'd be cramped on a 25' RT? Mostly day trips and occasionally a night or two overnight. I'd love to get a bigger one, but in my price range the selection of boats in the larger sizes is pretty slim. Do I go with 25' and just learn to cope with tight quarters, or do I hold out for awhile until some of the larger Ranger Tugs boats come down in price? We will be primarily based in the central Chesapeake Bay Area, but if do have interest (pipe dream?) of taking the family on longer cruises along the east coast area.

Thanks.

 

[Irish Mist]

HI
Exciting times 🙂
If you have not boated before I would rent a boat and take the family out and make sure the whole team including yourself are enjoying the boating before you make the plunge and spend the money.. Not every one enjoys boating.
Personally I would thing you would be fine on a 25. Remember you are not stuck on the boat 24/7 unless you are never going to dock. While docked at marinas lots of time is spent out and about. I would invest in a couple inflatable kayaks or a dingy that the kids could use to explore as well.
If you all love boating I would go with what you can afford to get you out on the water sooner then later.

 

[marcham]

For day outings or overnighters? I'd consider how your daughter will feel about sharing a bunk in 1 or 2 years... Once ours turned nine she started needing a little more personal space.

Chartering is a great idea to see how the whole family feels about it and figure out what works for you. $100 000 can buy a lot of boat, as long as you're not focussed on a specific boat.

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