The Tug....
Little red tug is a Ranger 21EC that I bought in June of 2019. For years I have always wanted a Ranger tug. Like may of you out there, I have been cruising the internet and looking at forums and blogs of other people. This year I finally found a boat at the right price at the right time. I had no boat experience before buying the boat- although I have been sea kayaking for many years including harbors and ports and had friends wth boats which I was on and off frequently. Like so many others, I had looked at boats, been to boat shows and spent hours on line reading forums and posts. Once I had narrowed my boat choice down it was just a matter of finding the right Ranger Tugs. For months I had been looking at all the brokerage sites and boats for sale until I finally came upon a Ranger 21EC at a shipyard in Maine. After months of looking I finally caved in and made the plunge to buy a boat. My reasoning was inclusive of several factors including buying a boat that would fit my lifestyle. Expensive cabin cruisers were just that, speedboats weren’t our thing, and I needed something that would be easy to trailer and launch alone. The Ranger 21 EC fit the bill and turned out to be a perfect boat.
If you aren’t familar with the Ranger tug line I encourage you to do a little surfing on the web and find out more about them. They come from a long line of quality shipbuilders out of Kent, Washington. The company also make a sister line Cutwater Boats. Ranger tugs are known for their quality and solid build - but even more so for their exceptional commitment to Ranger Tug owners - even second and third owners of used boats. A call to the factory puts you in direct touch with someone who knows the boats inside and out. They are active in support forums and interact with owners at annual company endorsed Rendezvous. From hearing from other owners I hear that the factory often goes above and beyond to help owners with any issues. The result is a avid following of very active Ranger Tug owners.
I spent so much time on line in the process of buying the boat that I was thinking that it would be neat to share my experiences with a Ranger 21 - good and bad. Before we continue on just a brief disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with Ranger Tugs other than being a very happy owner.
I have limited technical experience and training. Most of what I have learned about the boat is from general experience and online forums. There is a exceptional site Tugnuts.com - that is an incredible wealth of information on Ranger Tugs - mechanical, trip planning, modifications, tugs for sale, etc. I would be happy to answer any questions but best bet is to try the internet first.
Most of what I am doing is the first time for me doing it! Backing a larger trailer up, changiing a fuel filter, getting a boat surveyed were all new to me. Im sure that there are always better ways to do things in life and I appreciate any feedback with the empathy and understanding of a third party. So much of what we do is trial and error. I have been fortunate to have the guidance of many people who taught me about owning a boat. The takeway is this - dont be afraid to try things outside of your wheelhouse - and respect those who do. What follows is just that….
