ranger tug 27 - Ranger Tugs

Ranger Tug 27John Wooldridgerunning boat, as I found out while crossing the Straitof Georgia a couple days later. Her hull form has anexcellent running attitude, one that doesn’t squat underheavy acceleration. Power is provided by a 180hpYanmar diesel, the only engine offered, replacing the150hp Yanmar that powers the R-25 (there was a 110hpdiesel in the earlier R-25s). Tankage is upgraded to 100gallons from 75, with water and fuel tanks located lowon the centerline so that changing levels won’t create listor change trim dramatically.The bottom shape includes a bump in the hull thatallows mounting the engine deeper, creating a 6-degreeshaft angle for more efficient power transfer at the prop,which swings in a pocket in the hull to minimize draft.Watching the distinctive yellow and white Ottertake flight at the end of the passage leading to RefugeCove, water dripping from the rudders on the floatends, I wondered how often this scene had beenrepeated in the years since 1946, when Bob Munroand two high school friends—one a mechanic, one apilot—founded Kenmore Air with a banged-upAeronca Model K floatplane. From those humblebeginnings, Kenmore Air has become “the world’smost successful seaplane airline,” as Harrison Fordwrote in his forward to Success on the Step, which tellsthe history of this airline that has flown countlesscrews to points north to meet or leave boats, amongother fantastic missions.By midafternoon, Jeff and I were under way,headed east to Prideaux Haven and a quiet anchorageat Laura Cove. We ran at 15 knots, Jeff in the R-29, Iin the new R-27, and eventually dropped the hook inMelanie Cove, since Laura Cove was well populated,even for late August. We lowered our anchorsseparately, then rafted the tugs together and ran astern line to a tree onshore, secure in three pointsagainst possible strong wind gusts overnight.COMPARISONS ARE NATURALSeen tied alongside the R-29 in Melanie Cove, there’sno mistaking that the new R-27 is a member of theRanger Tugs family. Comparisons between the two arenumerous, but the real story of the R-27 pivots onlessons learned from the popular R-25. Both the R-27and the R-25 are 8 feet 6 inches wide for ease oftrailering and are designed by Dave Livingston tooperate comfortably and economically in a widerange of conditions. Both boats feature a broadarray of equipment and features most cruisers will want.The R-27’s longer planing surface makes her a fineTop left: Two Turbine Otters docked at Kenmore Air Harboron Lake Washington, Kenmore’s home since 1946. Above:With her optional bimini stowed, the Ranger 27 plies thewaters of the Pacific Northwest in search of adventure.The bump also serves as a warp in the hull to augmentthe transition from displacement to semi-displacementspeeds. Significant reverse-chine flats dampen rolleffectively and extend far forward to help keep the ridedry. The keel starts about a third of the way back fromthe bow, then disappears just ahead of the prop pocketand bronze rudder. A very short 2-inch section of shaftemerges from the log at the back of the keel, minimizingthe chances for a bent shaft.THE BUILDThe major component in the construction of the boatis the hull mold, followed by a molded fiberglass stringerthat includes the V-berth structure that forms storagecompartments so that it runs from the bow to the stern.Lead ingots are molded into the stringer for attachmentReprinted with permission. Copyright 2011 © Dominion Enterprises (888.487.2953) www.passagemaker.com