clyde
Senior Member
i have several friends that went thru the ranger tug syndrome, they all wished they had gotten a bigger one, so look before you lleap! i think they are making a bigger one now, they`re made near olympia, wa....clyde
Query: Anyone switched trawler to Ranger Tug?
- Thread starter debbiet
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
rpelton
Veteran Member
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Thanks!
I only towed it around the parking lot and launched it twice with my 1500 ecodiesel. I wouldn't dare take it out on the road with such a light truck. I'll probably go to a 2500 or 3500 with cummins.
The go to forum for these boats is Tugnuts.com. Many people, like you and I, have had these larger trawlers that take an enormous amount of work to maintain. Yes, very little teak now and this is a good thing.
Regarding docking. My Albin 36 had no thrusters. I have a situation where I have lots of space to get in and out of my slip, so that wasn't much of a problem. The Ranger has bow and stern thrusters. It feels like cheating, but boy is it great. I docked in 15 to 20 wind and the thruster kept me off the leeward pilings just fine while the first mate grabbed the lines.
Again with performance. I kept my dark thoughts to myself about being too tender or not feeling solid enough and I am glad I did. The boat honestly out performed my expectations with roll beam seas and 2-3 foot chop. She rolled, but we were felt out of control or nervous. You could just feel the boat could take it.
I will keep you posted about towing. We had a hauler company bring it up from Pensacola. Where we bought it. Left eight AM last Sunday and arrive at six am Monday. He said it handled great on the trailer. Yes, you need permits because it is 10', but that's no big deal.
We got her from Edgewater yacht sales/Modern Tugs. Check out their website. Great family owned business, excellent service. Emile Petro runs it.
I'm glad we went with the 31, command bridge and hard top. This really opens up the 31 foot vessel on the outside. The inside is a little smaller then the Albin 36, but well appointed and great layout.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Best,
Bob
I only towed it around the parking lot and launched it twice with my 1500 ecodiesel. I wouldn't dare take it out on the road with such a light truck. I'll probably go to a 2500 or 3500 with cummins.
The go to forum for these boats is Tugnuts.com. Many people, like you and I, have had these larger trawlers that take an enormous amount of work to maintain. Yes, very little teak now and this is a good thing.
Regarding docking. My Albin 36 had no thrusters. I have a situation where I have lots of space to get in and out of my slip, so that wasn't much of a problem. The Ranger has bow and stern thrusters. It feels like cheating, but boy is it great. I docked in 15 to 20 wind and the thruster kept me off the leeward pilings just fine while the first mate grabbed the lines.
Again with performance. I kept my dark thoughts to myself about being too tender or not feeling solid enough and I am glad I did. The boat honestly out performed my expectations with roll beam seas and 2-3 foot chop. She rolled, but we were felt out of control or nervous. You could just feel the boat could take it.
I will keep you posted about towing. We had a hauler company bring it up from Pensacola. Where we bought it. Left eight AM last Sunday and arrive at six am Monday. He said it handled great on the trailer. Yes, you need permits because it is 10', but that's no big deal.
We got her from Edgewater yacht sales/Modern Tugs. Check out their website. Great family owned business, excellent service. Emile Petro runs it.
I'm glad we went with the 31, command bridge and hard top. This really opens up the 31 foot vessel on the outside. The inside is a little smaller then the Albin 36, but well appointed and great layout.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Best,
Bob
rgano
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
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- 5,203
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- Panama City area
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- FROLIC
- Vessel Make
- Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Those numbers are reminiscent of my Mainship 30 Pilot II in the avatar. More water and holding capacity, but my boat is 12,000 pounds. The 315 HP Yanmar diesel will run it at 16 MPH at 80% load.
trawler to tug
I know what you mean about bright work. We went from a 42 toot CHB trawler to a Ranger 25 tug. We have been looping with the tug for 3 years with returns by trailer to northern Michigan every summer. We had some custom things done to make the tug more livable. We added 2 drawers under the dining table where the cave is. This greatly improved quick access to clothes and eliminated living out of a suitcase. We also changed the manual head to an electric. Then we added Sat TV for those evening weather and newscasts. Also we enclosed the aft section with canvas which adds another living area in all kinds of weather. We have almost finished the loop and are now thinking of changing boats again. We are selling our tug so we can make the change. If you have any interest let me know.
I know what you mean about bright work. We went from a 42 toot CHB trawler to a Ranger 25 tug. We have been looping with the tug for 3 years with returns by trailer to northern Michigan every summer. We had some custom things done to make the tug more livable. We added 2 drawers under the dining table where the cave is. This greatly improved quick access to clothes and eliminated living out of a suitcase. We also changed the manual head to an electric. Then we added Sat TV for those evening weather and newscasts. Also we enclosed the aft section with canvas which adds another living area in all kinds of weather. We have almost finished the loop and are now thinking of changing boats again. We are selling our tug so we can make the change. If you have any interest let me know.
There is a European classification system for intended purpose of a yacht. It is explained here:
https://itayachtscanada.com/understand-the-class-a-b-c-d-in-yachting/
It formalizes what people here are saying. Make sure your boat is safe for it's intended purpose rather than trying to compare two boats that have little in common.
https://itayachtscanada.com/understand-the-class-a-b-c-d-in-yachting/
It formalizes what people here are saying. Make sure your boat is safe for it's intended purpose rather than trying to compare two boats that have little in common.
Mack McGahee
Member
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- Jan 5, 2016
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- 13
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Confetti
- Vessel Make
- Kadey Krogen 39
We owned a Ranger tug 25 for 6 years. We lived in central S.C. and trailered her over the mountains to the Tennessee River as well as many times to the coast of South Carolina and Florida. We now own a Kadey Krogen 39 and live aboard. We loved the Ranger tug and as we lived on a lake had her tied up behind the house. We used her weekly and learned her positives and negatives. We owned a Bubba truck to tow her (GMC 2500 diesel) and the trailer. For us towing a large boat was not the most pleasant task. The Ranger tug did have many options that we loved. As others have said, they put a lot of systems on a small boat. Servicing some of these systems was tough because of space. In my opinion if you wanted to trailer a boat to see places that were not possible without moving the boat, then I would recommend the tugs. If docking was an issue, then I would spend the money and time to add a thruster or have do have docking practice with a training captain. Just my opinion
Towiing
I have an R-27 Ranger Tug Classic (diesel inboard). One of my prime requirements was the ability to tow. Another requirement was the ability to stay-a-board for extended trips (without having to convert the bow berth to seating, or the dinette table into a berth, twice daily). I think this boat works well for a couple, as I intended. It'll never be a live-a-board. If two couples are on an extended trip - they better be really good friends.
If you are interested in towing a Ranger tug, read on, if not, then skip the rest of this post:
The R-21 variants all have a 6'8" beam. I consider this an overnighter (weekend, week long) vacation boat. Towable anywhere trailers are allowed.
The R-23, R-25, R-27/C-24, C-26, C-28 all have an 8'6" wide beams. They are legal to tow in all states on federal interstate freeways without a permit. Most (but not all) states allow towing on all roads. A few states still restrict towing to 5 miles off the freeway only to get to gas, food, lodging, etc. (old school). Some local restrictions may apply, like no two-lane roads less then 12' wide, or low bridge roads, or congested toll ways, etc. - essentially anywhere a Class A motorhome is allowed.
R-29, R-31/C-30 models all have a 10' wide beam. A wide load permit is required to tow in (virtually) every state. Restrictions vary by state: Wide load banners, flags, lights, no traveling at night or no holiday weekend towing, road restrictions, etc., etc. (In contrast, buy an annual permit in Florida for ~$15.00 and they almost don't care less what you do.) There are companies that specialize in getting all the permits for you to tow to your cross-country destination - for a fee. If you tow infrequently, to and from your favorite boating location each year (for example, down the east coast to Florida and back) - not that big of a deal. If you plan on towing all over the country, check the laws in every state you might tow through to help you decide if its worth the hassle to you.
The R-41 model has a 14' beam (included for the sake of discussion only). I don't consider this a "towable" boat, but a boat that could be delivered to the owner's destination. It would require a commercial hauler, permits, flags, flashing lights, and private or law enforcement escort vehicles, road closures, etc., etc. By the time you get to this size, I think Ranger loses it's niche advantage and your choices of manufacturer are wide open.
OK that's the Ranger/Cutwater line up (that I can remember). Happy hunting.
Todd
I have an R-27 Ranger Tug Classic (diesel inboard). One of my prime requirements was the ability to tow. Another requirement was the ability to stay-a-board for extended trips (without having to convert the bow berth to seating, or the dinette table into a berth, twice daily). I think this boat works well for a couple, as I intended. It'll never be a live-a-board. If two couples are on an extended trip - they better be really good friends.
If you are interested in towing a Ranger tug, read on, if not, then skip the rest of this post:
The R-21 variants all have a 6'8" beam. I consider this an overnighter (weekend, week long) vacation boat. Towable anywhere trailers are allowed.
The R-23, R-25, R-27/C-24, C-26, C-28 all have an 8'6" wide beams. They are legal to tow in all states on federal interstate freeways without a permit. Most (but not all) states allow towing on all roads. A few states still restrict towing to 5 miles off the freeway only to get to gas, food, lodging, etc. (old school). Some local restrictions may apply, like no two-lane roads less then 12' wide, or low bridge roads, or congested toll ways, etc. - essentially anywhere a Class A motorhome is allowed.
R-29, R-31/C-30 models all have a 10' wide beam. A wide load permit is required to tow in (virtually) every state. Restrictions vary by state: Wide load banners, flags, lights, no traveling at night or no holiday weekend towing, road restrictions, etc., etc. (In contrast, buy an annual permit in Florida for ~$15.00 and they almost don't care less what you do.) There are companies that specialize in getting all the permits for you to tow to your cross-country destination - for a fee. If you tow infrequently, to and from your favorite boating location each year (for example, down the east coast to Florida and back) - not that big of a deal. If you plan on towing all over the country, check the laws in every state you might tow through to help you decide if its worth the hassle to you.
The R-41 model has a 14' beam (included for the sake of discussion only). I don't consider this a "towable" boat, but a boat that could be delivered to the owner's destination. It would require a commercial hauler, permits, flags, flashing lights, and private or law enforcement escort vehicles, road closures, etc., etc. By the time you get to this size, I think Ranger loses it's niche advantage and your choices of manufacturer are wide open.
OK that's the Ranger/Cutwater line up (that I can remember). Happy hunting.
Todd
emilanderson
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- Jun 16, 2019
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- USA
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- Tusen Takk
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- Beneteau Swift Trawler 44
Dont!
Rangers are cool looking... they have that awesome work boat feel... BUT I know three people that own them and are trying to get rid of them because they simply are NOT seaworthy on puget sound. The moment the sea changes or any kind of wind picks up the rangers simply get tossed around and they cant handle it. The bow and stern thrusters are under powered (in my opinion). If you are looking at something look at a Beneteau Swift trawler as it does have a keel... or stay put, but I would advise against the move, pretty sure you will regret it.
Rangers are cool looking... they have that awesome work boat feel... BUT I know three people that own them and are trying to get rid of them because they simply are NOT seaworthy on puget sound. The moment the sea changes or any kind of wind picks up the rangers simply get tossed around and they cant handle it. The bow and stern thrusters are under powered (in my opinion). If you are looking at something look at a Beneteau Swift trawler as it does have a keel... or stay put, but I would advise against the move, pretty sure you will regret it.
rpelton
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
- Messages
- 67
Well, I’m pretty impressed, after yet another week of ownership of a 31CB. I’ve had an Albin 36 for about 15 years, so I know about the handling of s small trawler. The Albin had no thrusters, so we are quite impressed with the Ranger set up. It does seem like more thruster power would be nice, but this is a great leap over nothing at all.
Tomorrow I’m going to pull here out to give the hull a good waxing. Try that with a larger trawler...
Still happy,
Bob
Tomorrow I’m going to pull here out to give the hull a good waxing. Try that with a larger trawler...
Still happy,
Bob
psneeld
Guru
The last sentence is one of the most sensible ever posted on TF.
rpelton
Veteran Member
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- Messages
- 67
Amen!
