See full version: Capable; Coastal: Ranger Tugs New R-29 Is Rugged, Comfortable Cruiser
As we cleared Admiralty Inlet and entered the larger, unprotected expanse of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a cloud shield moved in overhead, and the wind freshened from the southeast. By the time we crossed the midway point on our heading for Haro Strait, the fast-moving storm had whipped the sound into a washboard of 3- to 4-foot waves.
On deck, there is a 12VDC Lewmar 1000 SS windlass with deck and helm controls, an anchor locker, and a self-launching stainless steel bow roller. A large hatch (screened inside) on top of the forward cabin portion of the deckhouse provides additional access to the foredeck, as well as easy access to the antenna base and the 4-foot-2-inch-tall stainless steel antenna mast over the pilothouse, which folds down for improved bridge clearance. Spring and aft cleats are canted outboard and mounted on the deck edges for fairleads to dock cleats. On the side decks, about midway between the fore and aft decks, there are single-step ladders on each side for reaching kayaks or bicycles stored on a stainless steel sports rack. more
Needless to say, I was having a wonderful time on what was proving to be a very real-world sea trial. The R-29 tracked superbly and required only the smallest amount of correction on the wheel to take advantage of the surging power of the waves, surfing ahead with ease. The boat neither pitched nor rolled to any degree that was uncomfortable or uncontrollable, and Jeff and I talked at length about the boat, her mission, and her designers to pass the time.
jfrits wrote: i found a review of the R29 giving a chart for fuel consumption of its 260HP engine here:
by walldog on Sun May 13, 2012 6:11 pm here
You might be able to build you own to get a ballpark idea. Most engines have a fuel consumption chart available someplace in their literature based on RPM. You could convert those RPM settings to the speed you actually make at that RPM and get some rough idea of efficiency. Nowhere-near-perfect, but neither are factory charts in the real world since the odds of your boat being loaded to the same degree, having the load distributed the same way, having the same winds and currents, amount of fouling, even the type of bottom paint, if any, etc., etc. are pretty slim. [links]
Probably. Meanwhile, here's the Cutwater 28 one for comparison: here
Change that 'probably' to 'maybe not' judging by the lack of response! here
by GulfSailor on Thu May 10, 2012 5:12 pm
The ability to communicate well is another must on the Loop. Andiamo is equipped with a Garmin AIS system that allowed Gray to “see” the commercial traffic on tight river bends before meeting it. Captains were able to give instructions for a safe passing, says Gray. “The Great Loop has bridges, locks and commercial towboats that often require radio communication to get an opening,” he says. “[You know] when a lock may open or how to pass a set of barges that will take nearly the whole width of the navigable channel.” here
And go they did. They trucked the boat to Florida and started their adventure that same summer. “Rather than buying a boat on the Loop and outfitting it and then selling it when the adventure was over, it was reasonable to have it trucked to Florida and back,” Gray says.
When you cruise north from Florida on the ICW, traverse Chesapeake Bay, pass the Jersey coast en route to the Hudson River, follow the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes, then hit Lake Michigan, the Mississippi River, the Ohio River, the Tennessee/Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile Bay and cross the Gulf of Mexico, “you learn about a boat,” says John Gray.
The helm is to starboard, and a pilothouse door provides access to the deck for handling lines. Oversize windows and skylight hatches provide ventilation and visibility in the saloon, where there is plenty of seating and a stereo system. Notable equipment includes a hinged mast, bow and stern thrusters, a swim platform and a cabin-top rack for storing water toys and other gear.
And it’s more than simply a long cruise. “It’s an experience of different geography; it is about history, culture and people. We met wonderful people, and [made] lifelong friends,” says Gray. “One of the enduring highlights was to embrace the serendipity of the moment, to go with God by following the currents and the weather, to be open to new information, and to embrace the lessons and wisdom of others.” [links]
by Joan and Jim on Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:44 am
Does the 29' provide better accommodations for sleeping? I have a wife and an 5 year old boy and a 8 year old girl (and when i'm not with them, I may have 2-3 adult friends with me).
by tugnnaweigh on Tue Oct 02, 2018 2:28 pm
On the day of this review I needed a photographic platform for the on-water shots of the R-29. Fortunately two New Zealanders on board another well-known American import obliged when I asked if I could interrupt their whiting fishing to climb aboard. It provided them with a close up look as I stepped onto the bow of their anchored vessel. They had been drifting the weed banks in the middle of the Sound and hooked a 55mm King George so decided to anchor up. They had a couple more in their bucket when I came alongside but were more than happy to oblige. The owner is a keen fisherman and admitted he was thinking of updating his vessel and the traditional fishing design of this hull had planted the seed in his mind. more
The first boat to arrive in Australia was in 2008 when Sydney boating identity John Smale brought the R-21 to Queensland’s Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, attracting great interest as the crowds gathered just inside the main gates. I was there on that occasion and more than 30 boats now grace Australia’s waterways. Earlier this year Ranger Tugs Australia & New Zealand was taken over by Peter McCook who is looking to expand the dealership to all Australian states and cities in New Zealand.
The roof also holds a stainless steel mast and large spotlight. The mast folds down for greater bridge clearance or during towing on the road. here
Navigation instrumentation is not fitted at the factory because buyers usually have their own brand choices, plus you get local warranties if fitted in Australia or New Zealand. In keeping with the teak timber theme throughout the interior, the dash is wood and the review boat was fitted with a flush-mounted Raymarine C-120 W GPS/Sounder combo and Garmin VHF radio. here