What's your Ranger 25 SC cruising speed?

[Just Limin']

Just curious.. I'm always worried that something bad is going to happen when I go faster than 8 knots. I worry about everything and have had a few bad outings with failures. But, I find that if I can feel more comfortable going faster from our new home in Southwest Florida, I can extend our cruising grounds. My boat seems to run well at 196-197 degrees.
Thanks

 

[baz]

I ran my R-25 (Classic) with the Yanmar 4BY2-150 engine at all speeds. Some days just punting along at 6-7 kts and then at other times all day at 12-14 kts. I typically pick up the pace if my AP tells me I'm going to arrive at my destination after the time I want to be there.

I prefer the lower speeds as I find that more pleasurable and relaxing. At the higher speeds one has to be far more alert and I would need to keep a watchful eye for objects directly in front such as slightly submerged logs which float about here in the PNW area.

Now that I have the R-21EC most of my boating will be more pleasurable, but will need to be more careful about getting where I want in time.

When I ran the R-25 at speed (say above 14 kts) I really did not like it as directional stability seems to be less than I liked. The boat would wander about some, but if on AP that really did not keep me busy at the wheel.

Of course, the water, wind, tide and current can all play a major role in what is the best speed to run at.

 

[nzfisher]

I don't consider speed a determining factor when running in the open water unless I am trying to stay on a wave when entering a river bar from the ocean, then speed is important. My R25 likes 3350-3500 rpms as there are less harmonic vibrations at that speed than any other when running. It seems happiest at those rpms. Your boat could be different. Depending on conditions it will run anywhere from 10-14 knots at that rpm range. I have run at that rpm on many occasions for hours going out to the tuna grounds with no ill effects. I am meticulous about checking fluid levels, sea water strainer, hoses and belts every time I get in the boat as we all should- adds a certain level of piece of mind.

 

[baz]

I think if you only occasionally run at higher speeds such as 14 kts and above and you feel uneasy at that speed you will tend to not travel that fast. If however, you run at that speed frequently for long periods you will increase your comfort level and be more likely to go that fast in the future. Again, the sea conditions will dictate the appropriate speed to run the boat at.

 

[walldog]

I think if you only occasionally run at higher speeds such as 14 kts and above and you feel uneasy at that speed you will tend to not travel that fast. If however, you run at that speed frequently for long periods you will increase your comfort level and be more likely to go that fast in the future. Again, the sea conditions will dictate the appropriate speed to run the boat at.

Huh??

 

[baz]

...snip...

Huh??

Herb: It's called a Learning Curve. :lol:

 

[captstu]

The Shearwater, a 2010-11 R-25 with a 4BY2-150 is comfortable at 13/14 and breaks 15 easily after playing with the trim tabs a bit. I see no handling difficulty at any speed as long as she is trimmed OK.

 

[S. Todd]

I have a 2015 R25SC with the Volvo D3-150. At 2400 RPM (80% of the maximum 3000 rpm) she will cruise at 13 mph for hours on end if the water is flat. I usually need a change of pace and mix it up a little with some 5 minutes periods at 90% or full throttle (mechanic said that was good for the diesel) and some slower periods. With a head wind and waves at 2 to 3 feet she runs much more comfortably at somewhere in the 10 to 11 mph range. We had lots of good weather this summer so I have not had a chance to try running her with waves in the 3 to 5 foot range. I have not found any handling difficulties with her at any speed. I have driven express cruisers for years with one hand on the throttle and one hand on the wheel and loved it. What surprised me most about the change to the Ranger Tug is how in open waters I enjoy driving with the autopilot, with no hands on the wheel or the throttle.

 

[South lake]

2010 R25 Classic Cabin, 150 Yanmar, 413 hours, 60.3 gallons fuel, normal gear and passenger (2) load, WOT 4150 rpm, 17 knots approaching 20 mph. Normal cruise 10 to 12 mph with autopilot, a cup of coffee, and that Ranger Tug smile...

 

[oscar]

I typically pick up the pace if my AP tells me I'm going to arrive at my destination after the time I want to be there.

Yup, you have to figure those half price drinks into the fuel equation.

 

[Levitation]

jeez, I get a nosebleed at anything faster than 6 :mrgreen:
My wallet gets a hernia at anything faster than 6 :lol:
A tug can do 17 😱

 

[doke01]

Actually its more about your engine. If you are running a diesel and going slow for a long periods of time is not good for it. Diesels need and want to be worked. There are several posts on Tugnuts from people who only cruised consistently at 6 knots having pre-mature engine troubles. Turbos in particular are known to fail early. I also confirmed this when I took the diesel repair course at Mack Boring last year.

I have cruised at 3200 RPM for 10 hours straight with no adverse effect to myself, the boat or the engine. Throw in my wife son and two dogs into the mix too 😀 . We are closing on 900 hours.