Cdory vs Ranger Tug

J

John Burns

New member
I am on the east coast in Florida. having just sold my 36 ft sailboat I am now in the market for a small power boat.

I have narrowed my selection to the Cdory Angler 22, or the Ranger Tug 21EC. Unfortunately there are very few Cdory or Ranger Tug dealers in FL. The closest dealers are about 5 hours away and they do not have either of the boats I am looking at in stock.

Although the Ranger Tug is a beautiful boat I am concerned about the motor noise with the engine right in the cockpit. Any one been on a Ranger 21?

I would also like to ask owners of the 22 Angler how they like their boats. what options they suggest. since i will probably be buying from catalog and internet pictures I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

John
 
John, I have owned both a Ranger 21 tug and a C-Dory 22 Classic (1985) which is like the 22' Angler today (cockpit and cabin dimensions) I am a slow typist and would be glad to discuss them with you if you are interested. Both are great boats and you can't go wrong with either but both fit certain needs and it will depend on your intended use as to which will fit better. I now own a Rosborough R246 and it fills a point that the others did not. Ron (256) 318-4608 Call if you want info.
 
It might be useful to mention how you plan to use the boat most. The two boats are very different. In particular, the Rangers is typically operating at about 8-10kt max speed while you go 2-3 x that fast in the C-Dory. So if you're a guy who likes to run 10-20 miles to fish, you might prefer the C-Dory. On the other hand, the Ranger is much nicer to take a lot of people out for "picnic cruise".

There's no right or wrong here but knowing how you plan to use the boat the most will lead to better advice on your selection.
 
my wife and I fell in love with the Rangers, they are beautiful. But we needed to be able to sleep 3 and it just didn't seem practical so we are shopping CD22's.

Someday though I would love a Ranger 25 (or larger), they really are beautiful. The Ranger I was one was not on the water though so i dont know about engine noise.
 
I looked at the Ranger Tug 21EC before I bought my C-Dory. I thought the Ranger would be fine in inland protected waters but not for heavy seas. I also looked at YouTube videos of C-Dory's in rough weather, but could find none for the 21EC in rough weather. That made my mind up.
As mentioned earlier. Depends what you want to use it for?

Martin.
 
bridma":1r2my9qs said:
I looked at the Ranger Tug 21EC before I bought my C-Dory. I thought the Ranger would be fine in inland protected waters but not for heavy seas. I also looked at YouTube videos of C-Dory's in rough weather, but could find none for the 21EC in rough weather. That made my mind up.
As mentioned earlier. Depends what you want to use it for?

Martin.
Click to expand...

Martin- if you put 21EC, Ranger Tug 21, or something similar into the Search function, you will find some threads that discus this boat.

Dusty (Lampman) mentions in one of them that there were 3, I believe, Ranger 21 Tug owners that routinely took their 21' s up the Inside Passage every summer to the other end of the passage and back!

So, so much for the "protected water only theory"! :lol:

The boat's so "cute" it looks like an undersized version of a working tug, so it's easy to assume it's only a "toy".

No so! :wink

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
bridma":1havqm88 said:
I looked at the Ranger Tug 21EC before I bought my C-Dory. I thought the Ranger would be fine in inland protected waters but not for heavy seas. I also looked at YouTube videos of C-Dory's in rough weather, but could find none for the 21EC in rough weather. That made my mind up.
As mentioned earlier. Depends what you want to use it for?

Martin.
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, the 21 hull is modeled after a Bristol Bay, Alaska fishing boat, but why not go directly to Ranger and ask the question.
 
I did extensive research on the Ranger EC 21 before purchasing my boat. In my opinion, it is only a protected water boat. If John plans to take this type of boat into the Atlantic Ocean off of the east coast of Florida, I would fear for his safety. Storms come up quickly, and the boat is too slow to get him out of harm's way. The Ranger people did a great job of making the boat look good online, but its cabin is tiny. In my opinion, there is no question that a CD 22 is a superior boat in terms of stability for fishing, roominess and speed. Comparing a CD 22 to a Ranger EC 21 is unfair, in my opinion, because the EC 21 is an entirely different boat.

John: people will give you all sorts of opinions, but have a dealer give you a ride in the EC 21 when seas are three feet, and then do the same for a CD 22. Incidently, the EC 21 cabin was so small that I, at 240 pounds at the time, had trouble squeezing by the seat to get into the cabin. Finally, with the wider beam and wonderful characteristics of a C-Dory, if I were caught in six foot seas, I would take even a CD 16 over an EC 21 hands down any day of the week.

Thanks,

Rich
 
Hi John,

Welcome aboard. As others have said, those two boats, while close in LOA, are very different in execution. Marc at Wefings in Apalachicola is a dealer for both Ranger and C-Dory. No idea what he has in stock, but will take good care of you.

We made the switch from a sailboat to a C-Dory 7 years ago. There are quite a few sailors (former and current) in C-Dorys. A friend of ours had a Ranger 21 (not the EC, but I have been on an EC) - that is a small cabin. The noise did not seem excessive. From my perspective, the engine noise is less with a cabin bulkhead C-Dory. I was concerned about the engine noise when going from a sailboat to a C-Dory... the sensations are SO different. In the sailboat, you are out in the cockpit when steering, so you notice the engine noise different than if you are in the cabin. With the C-Dory with the outboard on the back, it is very quiet at displacement speed with the cabin door closed. More noise, of course, as you push the throttle forward. You also hear more "water noise" at the helm of the C-Dory... it doesn't take long to get used to the difference. The advantage of the protected helm way overweighs any noise difference from my perspective. Easy trailering to take the boat to any water you want.

You can go a displacement speed in a C-Dory or run in the upper 20s. You don't have that speed option with the Ranger. Four people in the cockpit of the C-Dory will feel snug... more cockpit room with the Ranger, but that engine box takes up floor space. They are so different that it is hard to say which would be the best fit for you.

I see you asked about the 21 over on the TugNuts. Good bunch over there, just like here.

Tell us more about how you intend to use the boat, and you'll get some absolutely free opinions. :D

Good luck with your decisions.

Jim B.
 
The question is where you are going to use the boat? If in the open Atlantic, or in the ICW and rivers etc near Amelia Island. Some folks use the C Dory 22 for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. I don't know of any 21's which fish the open Gulf of Mexico.

As for the inland passage--there are some open stretches--but you can call your days--same for the long reaches. We have done all of it 4 x and the lower part another 1 time and AK from Prince Rupert 1 more time...generally it is fairly protected--and one can wait out the bad weather. I have seen boats far less seaworthy than the Ranger 21 doing the inland passage. On the other hand, a 16 foot open Duraboat did the Great Loop a couple of years ago.

I would certainly take the 22 out in weather I would not take the Ranger Tug 21 out in. If you want a pilot house boat there are a few other options--including the Parker--which are popular on the East Coast, the SeaWay, The Acadia, the Eastern and several other "Down East" Types.

There is a reason that the Center Console boats are popular in Florida--and why I have a CC cat for fishing as well as the C Dory 22, which we use mostly for cruising.

The C Dory 22 is a good boat in the heat and sun--you can either air condition it, water cooled, or RV type roof air. You can also open the side windows and front windshield, and the roof insullates and shields you from the sun.

As far as noise- There is some, but you can increase the insulation--and the current engine is the Yanmar 3 GM a very common sailboat engine:

Here are the numbers for the Ranger tug Yanmar diesel.
RPM.......Db......speed knots
1000......64........ 2.5
1500......70........ 4.2
2000......74.........5.6
2500......80.........6.9
3000......84.........7.8

The C Dory 22, with a Honda 90:

1000.....69 Db
3000.....75 Db
4000......77 Db

I think that Marc Grove at Wefings (Apalachicola--I know its a drive, but take a road trip over and enjoy some oysters, stay at the Gibson)--has a Ranger 21 in stock. I don't know about a C Dory 22 currently...
 
Thanks Bob and Jim, we do have an R 21 in stock and its an easy drive from Amelia to us [BTW the engine for the past 5 or 6 years is the Yanmar 3YM 30].
We have a 22 C Dory on order . Its a Cruiser configuration as they sell the best , we should see it in June .Its the same hull and ride as a 22 angler .
FYI we were the first Ranger Tug dealer on the east coast and have lots of experience with R 21s and R 21 ECs . We are the only C Dory dealer in Fl. and have sold lots of those too.
We have a huge commitment to customer service . We would be happy to show and demo anything we have in stock .
We also have the Eastern 22 Lobster . Another boat that might be of interest to you . One is coming down the line for us in New Hampshire as we speak .
Nothing beats seeing and touching these boats side by side . Then taking a ride on what fits your needs.
Marc
 
I met Mark in February at a Ranger Tug gathering.
My impression after spending a few hours around him is that he is absolutely honest and wears his heart on his sleeve. You can believe that what he says to you is a fact, as best he knows.

I am not in the market for a new boat at the moment. But when the day comes, Mark will be given the first shot at it.

Now on the tug versus the dory - different boats and different missions. It is not which boat is better, but which boat fits YOUR mission.
Take Mark's offer of a sea trial on the dory and ask around on here for a tug ride - nuttin like a couple hours on the water on someone else nickel

If you get to Michigan holler at me and I'll take you for a ride up the Saginaw River - shucks, Hooters has a restaurant right on the river :mrgreen:
 
I have an 06 angler rigged with dual 50's, radar arch with radar, gps, radio and
vhf antenna's, across the motor well grab bar, inside grab bars on overhead, dual down riggers, chart plotter integrated with radar, fish finder, stereo, fishing rods, and a guitar plus all the required safety gear and fishing gear. I also have the two forward facing seats and counter/cabinets behind and below the seats.
I ordered my boat from EQ marine the way I wanted it set up. It has auto pilot and used to have a sonar on it. I don't use the auto pilot. The boat is my fishing machine. Its economical as opposed to operating a parker. I love it and its not for sale. I only use it offshore. Not to far offshore but no inland water use. Its great for most conditions as long as you don't push things.
I considered a tug which was available when I bought the angler. I am glad I have the angler because my fishing holes are usually 5 to 10 miles from the harbor and a tug would be to slow for my use.
If you are dealing with short period wind swell type chop in your typical use then you might consider a different hull design. These boats pound hard in these conditions and you need to go slow to keep from pounding. However these boats are quite capable, plane at 7 to eight knots, are very fuel efficient, comfortable yet spartan. I highly recommend this boat to a new purchases as long as it fits your intended use.

Love my boat.
Jeff
 
I think The 21 foot ranger tug is one of the cutest boats ever. That being said I would go with a 25' before you buy and find out that the 21 ' boat does not fit your needs. I'm guessing a used 25 you could find one for 100k.
The 22' C-Dory is a completely different animal. The choice of different speeds is a nice option. For most the interior layout of a 22' C-Dory offers more options and the older models with decra board interiors can be easily modified. Look a the photo albums on this site for some inspiration.. The price for a solid 22' cruiser is what would do it for me. I don't know if the tug you are looking at has thrusters but an outboard would seem to be easier to handle than a single screw diesel without a thruster or two. Servicing water pumps and the like would also seem to be easier as Your motor is not shoe horned into a space that requires yoga classes and arms and fingers to be lengthened. Last of all price wise I think a 22' C-Dory nicely equipped for 30 to 40k. Did I mention shallower draft?
D.D. :wink
 
I live in Flagler Beach, FL and keep my Cdory25 docked behind my house on the ICW. Getting ready to head north for the summer but if you shoot me a PM in the next week I'd be happy to take you out. Whether you take me up on this offer or not I highly recommend the Cdory25 as we cruise all over Florida quite comfortably. We also get compliments on our boat everywhere we go.

Also there is a Rossy 246 for sale about a mile away that I'll bet you could get a great deal on. It even has a upper helm on it!
 
Back
Top