Buyer Use-Cases: Finding Your Tug

Now that we have all the data, let’s consider a few scenarios and what might be the right boat for you. The piece on costs covered the financial requirements; here, let’s talk about use cases. What is important to you? What do you want to do with your boat? Where do you want to go? How fast do you want to get there? How many people are you going to carry and how large are they?

Every boat is a trade-off, and everyone who buys one has to decide which trade-offs make sense to them at what point in their life. For over 20 years, I had a cabin cruiser with about 80 miles of range. I slept on it a few times, but for the most part, it was a day boat for fishing. It was the right choice for what I was doing with it. Eventually, we were at a different stage of life and we wanted to do more cruising and exploring together. We traded up to a Ranger Tug R-25. It was the perfect boat for us at the time. It was about the same size as the one we had before, but it had far greater range, comfort, and capability. We still fished, but we could now do other things as well.

We do not regret buying an R-25 when we did. It was the absolutely correct choice at the time, and yet, we ended up upgrading it to a larger Ranger Tug after only two years. Our desires had again changed the trade-off calculation. Many owners do something similar—they start with an "entry point" model like the R-23, R-25, or R-27, and then find themselves with "two-foot-itis" (or 20-foot-itis) as they transition from weekend camping to long-term cruising. If you take this path, you will be in great company.

The Fishing+ Boat

If your main objective is fishing and you will only occasionally use the boat for overnight trips, the R-23 and R-25 are probably the ones you should consider. The cockpit on both is wide open, with no supports getting in the way of fighting a fish. While the Ranger Tugs are very capable fishing boats, they will never be as suited to fishing as a walk-around or center console boat. You would get one of these as a trade-off for the other things you do besides fishing.

The R-25 is an excellent choice because the uniquely shaped transom platform lets you fight a fish while easily getting around the motor. With the R-23, you will always have the motor in the way to some extent. Both boats will let you troll sub-2 mph without a trolling motor. The enclosed head on the R-25 is also nice for a bit of extra privacy.

The R-27 is also a good fishing platform, but the bimini supports may get in the way. It is also a lot more boat in terms of cooking and interior space than what you need if your primary objective is fishing. It really becomes a question of how much the improved galley and larger capacities are worth to you, and how much the more cramped "cave" on the R-27 bothers you.

If having a dinghy is important, you need to go to an R-25 or an R-27. The factory does not offer that option on the R-23. If you use the boat for fishing, however, the transom-mounted dinghy may be inconvenient.

The Family Camper

If you still work and want to go boat camping for a few days with the family over long weekends, speed may be important. In this case, outboard models are ideal. If you are budget-conscious and mostly want to go from marina to marina with an occasional couple of days on anchor in mild weather, you could start with an R-23.

If you want to stay off the dock for more than a few days, step up to the R-25. You will be comfortable, and you can relatively easily take short showers on board. Once your children get older, they will appreciate the enclosed head and the larger mid-berth.

If you want to stay away from marinas for more than four days or so, the R-27 provides a larger black water tank. Just be aware that the "cave" is much less usable on the R-27 than the R-25. Due to the larger fuel and water tanks required for the R-27’s mission, the overhead clearance in that mid-berth drops to about 12 inches, compared to the more generous 19 inches found in the R-25. It is a significant trade-off in sleeping comfort for increased capacity.

The Great Looper

Confession time: I’ve never done the Great Loop, or even seen it. However, from what I have read, Tuggers who tackle the Great Loop seem to prefer the diesel boats, especially the R-29 and R-31. These boats have excellent range and are far more "settled" and efficient at displacement speeds. While an outboard can go slow, the heavy, keeled diesel hulls track straighter and feel more stable when you aren't on a plane. Plus, diesel is typically cheaper than gasoline at marinas, and the longevity of the Volvo Penta Diesel is ideal for a 6,000-mile journey.

The Couple’s Cruiser

Many people we meet at the docks and on cruises are retired or long-term cruisers enjoying their boats for extended stretches. Unlike us "working stiffs" who need to get from Everett to Prevost Harbor as fast as possible to fit it into a weekend, these couples often can afford to take their time.

The R-29 and R-31 are excellent choices for this. They are happy and efficient at displacement speeds, offering great storage and plenty of room to entertain at the dock or in the anchorage. However, if you have a bit more distance to cover and need to get there faster, the R-27 is a great choice as it offers many of the same comforts but with the speed of outboards. You can, of course, cruise long-term on any model, but if you prefer the slower, steadier motion of a "Tug," consider a boat that is purpose-built for that displacement rhythm.

The Liveaboard

If you want to live permanently aboard your boat, you need room for food, dry goods, clothes, and a toothbrush. There are people who live on an R-27, and if you’re a "tiny house" kind of person, that works out great. However, if you desire more space, the R-43 is built for this. The main difference between it and a comfortable condo is that you have to do the dishes the old-school way (by hand)—though you get the massive plus of having the water all around you. The R-31 also serves well as a liveaboard, though you’ll have to find laundry facilities every week or so.

If you are only planning on living aboard for a few weeks at a time, the calculus changes. The R-31 and R-43 are great for a cruise up the Inside Passage to Alaska. The R-27 and R-29 also work, but at 25 knots, the R-27's range is significantly shorter than the diesel boats at 7 knots. That can cause additional stress since fuel can be unreliable north of central B.C. While the R-27 handles better on a plane, for long-distance cruising, the extra tankage and cooking facilities of the larger boats become a major luxury.