Boat review Ranger Tug R-27 from the Words by John Eichelsheim Photos by Bryce Taylor The tug style of boat is quirky... most people call it cute comfortable, versatile and trailerable Tug boats in New Zealand are usually hard at work but the It seems the concept of the Ranger Tugs make Sound sense to at least two Kiwi owners: in February 2013, we reviewed the Ranger R-25 SC, and here we review her slightly bigger sister, the Ranger R-27. The boats are built in Seattle, Washington, nestled amongst the sounds, islands and channels of Washington and British Columbia, famous for wildlife and sheltered waters on the American west coast. The boats will be cruising similar spaces in Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds. The folding radar tower, designed to let the boat to travel under bridges may come in useful; I m less sure about the fake funnel. The tug style of boat is popular in the USA, Canada and Europe but quite unusual in New Zealand. It s quirky Orakei Yacht Sales Cameron Burch says most people call it cute but the R-27 is comfortable, versatile and trailerable. This particular boat has no trailer because its owner doesn t require one, but a factory aluminium trailer is an option for 94 Boating New Zealand January 2014
Manage Power like a Pro Ranger Tug R-27 from the USA is here for serious relaxation haul-out purposes or towing. There are some challenges to towing a boat of this size on New Zealand roads. It weighs in at a reasonable 2812kg (dry), plus trailer, so it is feasible with the right vehicle, braking system and suitable over-width signage. The boat can be pre-wired with a towing loom. This includes a trailer plug wired into the bow locker which connects to the car. The boat loom runs internally through the boat to the stern, directly to tail lights, brake lights and indicators moulded into the transom. Smart thinking. Usable cockpit The R-27 has the same 2.6m beam as the smaller R-25, but it s almost a metre longer with most of the extra length going into the 4.65m 2 (50ft 2 ) fully moulded cockpit. Marinco BEP Products introduce the new Pro Installer Series, a unique family of modular power distribution products that save you valuable installation space and time, while efficiently handling the high loads found on today s boats. Optimised design includes a common connection height to allow clustering, radiused busbar ends for flexible cable entry, generous stud lengths, and clear covers for protection. World leading quality, and materials selected for durability in harsh conditions mean you can wire your boat like a pro. The Pro Installer Series line of products includes heavy duty busbars, Z busbars, insulated studs, ANL and Class-T fuse-holders, and battery switches. For more information, visit bepmarine.com. marinco.com bepmarine.com 0114506 subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 95
The tug-like windows give a shippy feel to the interior, which is well lit. Although there s plenty of traditional teak trim, a teak and holly wheelhouse sole and teak veneer panelling, the darkness of the wood is offset by paler fabrics, vinyls and moulded gelcoat surfaces in tans, greys and off-whites. The overall effect is bright and welcoming. The boat sleeps six but is better suited to a young family This is multi-use with a clever configuration, removable squabs and table, underfloor lockers and good engine room access. The swim platform is useful, although the boat s Nelson owner is having the gas bottle locker removed to make more room for fishing and to enable easy deployment of the tender. He will convert the transom live bait tank to a gas locker. The galley features an electric hob and microwave/ convection oven run off the inverter. Gas hobs and a gas oven are a factory option but the owner will use a railhung BBQ to cook outside. Rollers and a chain-link gate ease in pulling a dinghy onto the swim platform, and there s a saltwater washdown to clean the self-draining cockpit. Room for the family The R-27 is small-ish as motor launches go and its tugboat wheelhouse configuration with walk-around side decks restricts space inside the cabin, but there s a surprising amount of accommodation. It s well finished in GRP mouldings and with teak-trim, although a grab-bag of screwed and bolted marine fittings from numerous suppliers confirms it s a production boat built to a price. There s an enclosed heads compartment in the starboard corner of the wheelhouse, with integrated shower and free-standing blue glass basin. The galley is compact with two electric hobs and an electric oven aft of the helm seat; a dinette opposite converts to a double berth by dropping down the solid teak table. A 12V refrigerator occupies the space 96 Boating New Zealand January 2014
captions as fitted to adastra china 5 blade tiger props fitted to planet solar france 6 blade tiger props fitted korea 0114244 subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 97
Solar panels on the wheelhouse roof will supplement the battery power in the sunny Marlborough Sounds under the helm seat; a microwave takes the same space under the port seat and there s reasonable stowage for cooking utensils and stores. Entertainment is provided by a Fusion stereo system and a fold-away flat screen 12V TV with DVD on a rather low-tech ceiling bracket in the wheelhouse. The forward cabin offers generous sleeping accommodation for two on a vee-berth with infill squabs with an additional double berth squeezed under the dinette on the port side. There is barely enough room at the foot end to turn over, but fine for kids. The ability to sleep six in a boat of this size demonstrates clever use of space, but in reality the R-27 is a better stay-away proposition for a couple who can share the forward cabin in comfort; two couples, or two or three friends spread around the boat. The dinette will seat four, faceto-face, and the front seat has a reversible back so occupants can see ahead when underway. Five overhead skylights with insect screens and sliding windows provide ventilation, and the wheelhouse is surprisingly light thanks to a profusion of tugboatstyle square windows. The boat s electrical system provides a massive 1875 amp-hours from the house bank, ample for a week s cruising. The batteries are supplemented by solar panels on the wheelhouse roof, but their performance might be reduced if there are paddle boards, kayaks or a dinghy on the roof racks. Manufacturer of Southern Boats and Lazercraft Boats & also Specialising in Custom Builds over 8m 0114221 98 Boating New Zealand January 2014
Sisters in the Sounds The first Ranger Tug model, an R-23, was reviewed in Boating, February 2013 and has also gone to the Tasman-Marlborough cruising area which shares similarities with Seattle on the west coast of the USA, where the Ranger Tugs are built. The Volvo 200hp D3 turbo diesel is installed under the cockpit sole Volvo power The Ranger Tug R-23 has Yanmar power, but the company has since changed to Volvo-Penta, so the R-27 has a Volvo 200hp D3 turbo-diesel neatly installed under the cockpit. It s a compact engine with car-like engine cowlings. Access is good including to the boat s ancillary equipment; the shaft angle is commendably shallow. The hull is designed to work well at displacement cruising speed and on the plane. Bennett trim tabs allow the skipper to trim the boat depending on the speed without tabs, it runs with a somewhat nose-high attitude. The ride is generally soft and the boat tracks well and generally goes where it s steered, but it s not as nimble as a sterndrive craft. Bow and stern thrusters make for easy low-speed manoeuvring. We ran the R-27 at 7-8 knots where fuel consumption is miserly, and at 15-16 knots, an economical cruise speed. The Volvo burns around 23 litres of diesel an hour at 15 knots and we achieved a top speed of almost 23 knots burning 41 litres per hour. The fuel tank holds around 380 litres of diesel and the boat carries 151 litres of freshwater. With a beam of 2.6m, the Ranger is reasonably lively at rest and underway. A couple of bodies on one side induces heel until the chine flats take over, but nothing alarming. Adjusting the tabs soon sorts out any leaning when underway. Access to the foredeck is good with handholds on the wheelhouse roof and moulded non-slip surfaces on the side decks. The owner has upgraded to a Rocna 10 anchor, with a Lewmar windlass. The ground tackle is unusually robust for an American boat. PVC strips protect the plumb bow against anchor strike and the heavy-duty eye is a reminder this boat can be trailered. Conclusion The R-27 has quirky tugboat looks and the space, range and performance ideal for a couple taking a few days to explore our coastal or inland waters. Ranger Tug R-27 loa 8.26m boa 2.6m draft approx 6.6m weight 2812kg (dry) construction 4cm engine solid GRP engine: Volvo-Penta D3 200 turbo-diesel fuel 378.5 litres water 151.4 litres cruising speed 15-16kt max speed 23kt price as tested $260,000 Manufactured by Ranger Tugs, www.rangertugs.co.au boat supplied by Orakei Yacht Sales, 09 524 8444, 021 92 95 92, www.orakeiyachtsales.com. subscribe online at www.mags4gifts.co.nz/boating-nz 99