sea trial - Ranger Tugs

SEATRIALBY ROGER McAFEERANGERR-31 COMMAND BRIDGENEW FLAGSHIP ADDS BRIDGE, RETAINS TRAILERABILITYThe Seattle International Boat Show has always been an effective launchingpad for any new boat model, and the 2012 show was no exception.The builder of Ranger Tugs, the Livingston family, former builder of theubiquitous dinghies known up and down the coast, introduced the feature-ladenRanger R-31 to boaters attending the show.The most obvious differencebetween the new 31-footer and the restof the Ranger fleet is the presence ofa command bridge on the R-31. Ranger,in keeping with the traditional approachit takes in styling its tugs, has addeda nostalgic touch to the commandbridge. Traditionally, command bridgeson working tugs were nothing morethan a pipe frame with canvas fittedto block wind and spray. The new R-31 uses canvas for the same purpose,but it has an advantage: It easily collapseswhen the command bridge’sframe piping is retracted, to reduceoverall height and aid in towing or passingunder a low bridge.The drop-down command bridge isnot the only new and obvious featureon Ranger’s largest model yet. One ofthe problems with the cockpit on anytrailerable vessel is its relatively smallsize, particularly if everyone on boardis gathered for happy hour or dinner.Ranger has solved that problem with anelegant simplicity not seen on other vesselsin the R-31’s market segment. Thebuilder has installed what it calls gullwingseating in the port and starboardcockpit coamings. These flip seatsdeploy easily and quickly, and whenthey’re in place they overhang the sidesof the vessel. Thanks to the gull-wingseats and a comfortable transom seat,six people can sit in the cockpit and stillleave plenty of room for others to movethrough it. On the foredeck there isanother stowable double seat and a table.The builder of the R-31 has30 SEA MAGAZINE / JULY 2012

ABOVE The R-31’s interior utilizes every inch of space, while the aft helm station and gull-wing seatsmake the cockpit highly versatile.addressed one of the complaints mostoften leveled against smaller vessels —the lack of outside “social” space whenthe vessel is at rest. The solutions — aflybridge and gull-wing seating — aresimple, intelligent, easily maintainedand not costly.The new R-31 has a husky, broadshoulderedlook at the dock. The fiberglasswork is excellent — fair with nohaze or print-through — which, giventhe pedigree and experience of thisbuilder, is what I expected.ON BOARDAccess to the vessel is through atransom gate off the substantial swimstep, which is positioned at the rightheight from the water so it’s an easy,safe step across from the dock. This isan important feature on any family vessel.The swim grid itself has a built-inhidden swim ladder and solidly attachedD-rings, which allow you to secure acooler on it.There’s plenty of stowage under thecockpit sole and in side lockers. The transomseat flips forward to provide accessto more storage or to service the optionalgenerator. Access to the engine spaceis through a hydraulically opened forwardsection of the cockpit sole. Theengine space is well organized, and allof the machinery can be accessed easilyfor servicing. The opening is largeenough that the engine could be removedwithout tearing the cockpit sole apart.Access to the command bridge isup a set of steps from the port side ofthe cockpit. The command bridge itselfoffers excellent visibility, and eventhough it is retractable, its helm can handlea full set of electronic instruments.The interior of Ranger’s new offeringis, in keeping with the rest of theRanger stable, flooded with natural light,aided by four overhead glass windowsand more window glass than fiberglassin the topsides.The interior layout is fairly standardfor this type and size of vessel. To starboard,the galley stretches from the aftdeckhouse bulkhead to the rear of thecaptain’s chair, and to port there is adinette that converts to a berth. The helmstation is starboard, forward of the galley,and forward of the dinette is a doublewidecompanion seat. The solidstainless sink and electric cooktop withan oven are fitted into the solid countertops.There is plenty of storage in cupboardsand drawers, and the helm seathinges forward, so the space under theseat can become part of the galley countertopif the cook needs more counterspace. A sliding door at the helm stationallows easy access to the foredeck.To port, under the dinette, is themidship berth, complete with an electrictoilet, a reasonable amount of storageand a comfortable queen bed. Theelectric toilet operates as a day head aswell. The en suite master is located inthe forepeak and contains an islandqueen bed, with plenty of storageunderneath, a head with an electric toilet,a vanity, plenty of storage and ashower. Headroom is excellent, andthere’s plenty of natural light.PERFORMANCERanger’s vice president, JeffMessmer, was at the helm and fired upthe 300 hp Volvo D4, which flashed upSEAMAGAZINE.COM 31

TESTER’S OPINION:Ranger has done an excellent job with its new flagship.The R-31 is fast and comfortable, but it canalso cruise at lower, more economical speeds. Thebuilder has addressed many of the issues that ownersof small cruisers have been complaining aboutfor years.immediately, despitethe cold start, and ranwithout clatter orsmoke. This fourcylinder,224-cubicinchcommon-raildiesel weighs justmore than 1,200pounds and, becauseof its relatively highhorsepower-to-weightratio, is appearing inmore new boats.With a touch ofthe bow and stern thrusters, Messmermoved the boat away from the dock intoopen water. The R-31 handled and performedvery much like the otherRangers, but it was quieter. The mainreason for the quiet is that the enginespace, because of the hull’s extra length,doesn’t intrude into the space under thedeckhouse sole.During our entire test, the noiselevel inside never got high enough thatwe couldn’t talk normally and easily beheard. Visibility from the helm stationwas good all around, and the helminstrumentation was easy to see. Thevessel tracked well and respondedsmartly to the helm at all speeds. It handledthe light chop with no problems,and slamming through our own wakewas a non-event, as it should be.Ever since I heard Ranger was comingout with a command bridge 31-footer,I had been looking forward to testingit from the bridge. You mustremember that this vessel is easily towableand weighs only 10,500 pounds.Adding weight up top has to be donecarefully, or the vessel can have performanceissues. Then you have to considerthe additional weight of boatersusing the command bridge.I fully expected the vessel to be abit tender and suffer performanceissues, especially with Jeff and me uptop. However, it handled very well, withno overt tenderness, even at rest as Imoved from side to side. At speed, wethrew the helm hard over, and the vesselhandled the same as it did whenwe were at the inside helm station.Still on the bridge, we brought thevessel to a complete stop, cranked thewheel hard over and, keeping it there,slowly ran the engine up. The R-31leaned slightly to the outside of the turnand then carved into the turn and maintainedthat attitude to WOT. Clearly,Ranger engineers have matched thepowertrain to a well-designed hull.Ranger has done an excellent jobwith its new flagship. The R-31 is fastand comfortable, but it can also cruiseat lower, more economical speeds.The builder has addressed many of theissues that owners of small cruisers havebeen complaining about for years. Theboat can cruise two couples for weekson end, with each having their own privatespace. It can also easily accommodate10 people for an eveningcruise, without them falling over oneanother.The engine in this vessel is also aplus for the builder. With maximumtorque at about 2450 rpm and electronicfuel controls, the engine should last along time. Service points on this engineare easy to reach, which means aboater will likely change filters and checkthe oil more often than if everything isout of reach.The entire range has been a successstory in the boating field. This latest offeringshould add to that success. The R-31 is a must-see for people looking fora comfortable coastal cruiser, regardlessof which coast they live on.ËSPEC BOXLOA W/SWIM STEP 35 ft., 2 in.BEAM 10 ft. DRAFT 2 ft., 4 in.DRY WEIGHT 10,500 lbs.FUEL 180 gals. WATER 80 gals.HOLDING TANK 40 gals.ENGINE Volvo D4, 300 hpPRICE (introductory) $279,937STANDARD EQUIPMENTVolvo D4 300 hp engine, 50-amp battery charger,2 bilge pumps, cabin heater, day headw/electric flush toilet, color engine control panelw/full instrumentation, hydraulic engine hatch,11-gal. hot water tank, 2500-watt inverter,refrigerator in galley and cockpit, salon entertainmentcenter w/19-inch overhead TV/DVD,hydraulic trim tabs, bow and stern thrusters,dual-station VHF radio and more.OPTIONAL EQUIPMENTWireless thruster remote control, solar panel,Garmin navigation package, Onan 5 kw generatorw/sound shield, Webasto diesel heater,aft station steering w/electronic controls, airconditioning/reverse-cycle heat in salon andmaster, AGM battery upgrade, ice-maker incockpit and more.BUILDERRANGER TUGS, Kent, Wash.; (253) 839-5213;rangertugs.comWEST COAST DEALERSFARALLONE YACHT SALES, Alameda, Calif.;(510) 523-6730; faralloneyachts.comFARALLONE YACHT SALES, Newport Beach, Calif.;(949) 610-7190; faralloneyachts.comPORT BOAT HOUSE, Port Alberni, B.C.; (250) 724-5754; portboathouse.comRANGER TUGS, Kent, Wash.; (253) 839-5213;rangertugs.com32 SEA MAGAZINE / JULY 2012