Dinghy Options for the Ranger 25?

Mac.
The Pudgy sure looks good to me. This site and this topic sure saved me a lot of time and probably from picking a dink that would'nt work to well. Before the shake down cruise down the waterway to Miami we picked up the little $200 one from west Marine. It worked alright to get the dog to shore, but Mrs Dee wouldn't get into it. I got a little tired of rowing it in the wind. I think I now have three inflatables in the garage. Looking at your picture album convinced me the pudgy it perfect for the ranger. Thanks
Captd
 
I picked up the little 4 stroke, 2.5 horse Susuki at Wefing Marine before I left Florida. Been using it on the Whaler till I get the Pudgy. I don't know if it would be called a long shaft or a short shaft. It sure runs quite. I like it so far. I think it is cheaper than a Honda. Or should I say less expensive.
Captd
 
I didn't measure the Pudgy, but Tony says it needs the long shaft. There is an option on the pudgy for a short shaft mount, but it reduces the "life saving capacity" from 4 to 2 I think. I was planning to go with long shaft (20 in) - which eliminates all 2 & 2.5 motors except the noisy Honda. I like the 28 pounds - and at this point do not plan to go to the 3.5 / 40 # motors...

Mac
 
We went ahead and ordered the Portland Pudgy with a 2 hp Honda. The mold isn't running yet, so no boats are available for a couple of weeks. In the emeantime, Tony arranged to loan us a boat to use until ours is ready. I also ordered the Weaver davits, and installed them.

I can't stand the color (unless you really want a lifeboat) - ours will be white, but at least I was able to configure the davits ahead of time - and we will have a boat for our trip even if ours isnt ready when we leave...

Picture are in the Portland Pudgy sub album

Mac
 
Mac don't you think that colour suits Island Ranger? We'd certainly be able to tell it was you from a long way back! :lol:

I can't stand the color (unless you really want a lifeboat) - ours will be white, but at least I was able to configure the davits ahead of time - and we will have a boat for our trip even if ours isnt ready when we leave... [/quoteIMG_0474.sized.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Geez...that's what I really like about this site. Everyone is Soooo Helpful! :lol:

I thought I was being nice not to put the picture of the horrendous red dinghy in the message - I was concerned over the well being of my fellow Brats....

But, never fear. My friends come through again. Now, I just need to learn to edit Ron's message...

Any one want an Achilles LT-2? How about a nice Walker Bay?

Mac
 
Mac,
Do you know the status of these people, there in Seattle? I have been trying to order one since you found them and posted on this site. No one answers my e-mails. It is like they skipped town.
I am so impressed by this dingy I would sell them if they are going to make enough to allow me to do that. In the mean time I need to get my order in for one.
I appreciate all your research on this thing. I too have three inflatables that have not worked out. Mine were just cheapies. The second mate wouldn't get into the last one. Too small, But it fit on the dive platform nicely. daaa...
Darrel

Ps. When you get your white one, I would take the red one if I had too. but I like the white one as well.
 
Hi Darrel,

I've been in contact with Tony Peterson, President of the Adamo Group (dba Portland Pudgy) almost every day. I know he gets email - I sent some pics, but never got an email back. I would call him (206 334 1221). The mold has been moved to a new location, and they started setting up yesterday. Don't really know when a new boat will be ready, probably a couple of weeks. I am borrowing the red one, it has some mold imperfections so I don't think he plans to sell it.

Mac
 
Sending out a deposit today for the Pudgy. After talking to Tony it sounds like about three weeks delivery. I have a question maybe one of you guys could answer for me. ......How long is a long shaft that would be required for the pudgy without getting a lower transom? I have a 2.5 hr, four stroke Suzuki and it looks to be about twenty inches from top of transom to center of prop. Would that be considered a long shaft? Hope it is long enough.
Capt D :D
 
Just picked up my Honda 2hp long shaft today and tried in on the Pudgy (no oil or gas, so I couldn't start it). I left it on the boat, so I can't measure, but I think it is just barely long enough. You can probably get the dimensions from the Honda Marine web site.

Mac
 
shaft length is measured from the under side of the bracket clamps (the part which goes over the transom--to the caviation plate--the cavitation plate usually falls at the bottom of the boat (some exceptions--such as with bracketed motors, cats etc). If the measurement is 20" from bracket to the center of the prop, it is probably a "15" or standard engine. You can run engines, as long as the prop and water intake are submerged, which are not below the bottom of the transom, but the engine will be less effecient, and will not work well in reverse. (For example I have a 15" 15 hp which I am using as a "kicker" on the C D 25.--set back on a bracket it is a few inches lower than if it was on the transom, but it will still not be effective in reverse.
 
Thanks Bob,
If a guy has a problem, all he has to do is do it "Thataway".

Looks like I have two short shafts, the Suzuki 4 stroke and a two stroke, 2 horse Evinrude. I don't like the idea of lowering the transom. The Suzuki works good on the Boston Whaler for fishing. !st Mate will be going ballistic to get another long shaft. Did anyone every guess this boating and fishing business could get so expensive and complicated? :cry
Capt D
 
captd":2m0nqnmg said:
Did anyone ever guess this boating and fishing business could get so expensive and complicated?
Click to expand...

The classic definition of a boat is "a hole in the water into which you throw money."

Warren
 
The Hurley is a side slide davit (over the back of the swim step), and there is an end roller, with a winch similar bracket which also fits on the swim step, which will take a considerably larger dinghy--winches it over the side of the swim platform, not the back.
http://www.yachtsofstuff.com/adinclude/ ... _PicsA.asp
With a heavy dinghy the Hurley would be fairly difficult--but one could use a winch if necessary.

But--both of these require a substantially wide (fore and aft) swim platform. 3 feet is pretty much the minimul where this will work. (You often want at least 6" to 8" where you can walk around the inboard side of the dinghy. The inflatables which I use are 5' and 5' 6" wide--so one would have to have a swim step at least 3 feet wide to effectively balance the dinghy on the step.

Of course, there is the ultimate, hyraulic lift swim step--which lowers both boat and divers into the water--probably the C R 25 is a small boat for this type of swim platform.
 
Hi CaptD,

I talked with Tony at Portland Pudgy and they have just now gotten the mold working (they moved it to the East Coast). They should start molding up 10 boats any day now, will ship them here for finishing. I think it will still be several weeks before boats are available.

We used a loaner for our trip to Alaska. It worked really well on the Weaver Davits - I loved running it right on the beach/rocks/whatever. We pushed it with a 2 hp Honda.

Mac
 
Mac,
Thanks, The Pudgy seems like the perfect solution with the tug. We will wait as long as necessary to get one.
How did the Island Lady do on the trip to Alaska? No problems? Do you have a thread on the trip , that I may have missed? We have not taken the Mis Dee out into any rough water yet. I haven't heard any comments from other tug owners as to how well they take rough water. Over the years I developed lot of confidence in the 22 ft. C-Dory. Ranger seems to take a lot more splash on the windshield even in a light chop. Your experience would be of great interest to me.
We are going to cruise the Keys and the St. Johns river in Florida this fall and make the trip to the Bahamas this coming spring. The first two just to make sure all the bugs are out.
Darrel (captd)
 
Thanks -

The boat did extremely well -I just haven't had time to post anything. I didn't start a thread - we only logged on twice (at Prince Rupert) - so it wasn't gonna happen real time. In our 52 day cruise, we covered 2000+ miles, burned over 800 gallons and typically cruised at 10 kts (at 4+ gph, 2800 rpm). The canopy and enclosure were a must with all the rain, the autopilot and radar were needed several days in the fog. The car top carrier worked great to hold garbage and laundry. And be sure to get a funnel to help fueling whenever you encounter the high speed diesel pumps - like at Hartley Bay.

Northern BC, and Alaska are incredibly beautiful places. Anchorages galore, typically all by ourselves. Bears - black and brown; whales - orcas, humpbacks, minkes; pacific white sided dolphin; waterfalls, ....then iceburgs as well!

The boat handles really well - even Linda felt safe heading into some pretty good size seas. Of course, rollers on the quarter weren't very comfortable - but we never felt threatened. Rain-x on the windows is a must, though the wipers did an OK job.

We ran with refrigeration and could last two days before we killed the two house batteries. The voltage really dropped during the third night, so I switched off the fridge then. The isolated engine battery started the engine, and the 80 amp charger on the Yanmar did a great job topping up the batteries. The hot water stayed hot enough for showers easily overnight.

We had a few problems to solve. We had starter problems (took me 4 hours while hanging on the hook the second day out to find the bad ground on the starter circuit and get the engine started); the fresh water pressure pump failed (easy to replace when you know where they hid it!); the diesel return fuel line had a bad clamp and dumped 1/2 gallon of fuel into the bilge over 3-4 days 'till I figured it out; and we had quite a problem with fumes (probably due to the enclosure). And water found several places to get in - I think from the skylights. The Factory has been great - I just need to bring Island Ranger to them to get everything fixed. But I don't want to give up the boat quite yet.....

We sure didn't want the trip to end, although we had planned to spend a week cruising the Gulf Island - there were just too many boats (we have been spoiled!) so we headed home.

The best summary I can give - Linda is ready to go again as soon as we can!

Mac
Island Ranger
 
Mac,

Sounds like a fabulous "shake down" looking forward to hearing more as you have time. Compiling a punch list of items to look for when I take delivery of my R-25, hopefully before the holidays!!! :xtongue
Take care

Drew
 
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