Just getting myself distracted from social isolation and found this website.
I have owned lots of boats... 11 and 13 ft. Whalers, 16 foot Starcraft (an oldie), 17' Thomson bowlder, 30' Alberg sailboat, 28ft Bayliner, 36' Albin trawler and a few others.
I currently own a 2017 31' Ranger Tug Command Bridge. Bought her used with a trailer.
I'm not rich (I'm a teacher who does some construction on the side, my wife is a teacher/social worker). I've never owned a Porsche.
All I can say is "WOW"! I've had the boat for a year now and really like her.
The last boat we had was a 1978 Albin Trawler. We raised our kids on her (not live aboard, but a lot aboard). She was old and leaky and we were ready to get something a little newer. We love the trawler amenities and like bumping around.
Now that the kids are in and out of college, we also wanted to be able to to more exploring in further away places.
About 3 and a half years ago I started looking. What we determined was we wanted the biggest boat we could trailer and have as much trawler in it as possible.
The Ranger 29 and 31 CB (that's an upper bridge), does this perfectly.
As far as loading and launching, it takes may 10-15 minutes either way. It is actually easier than almost any other boat that I have owned, because it has a bow and stern thruster. I can perfectly position her in the water and then just drive up onto the trailer. I can't tell you how many times I've back the trailer in and out of the water trying to get the 13' Whaler positioned perfectly.
We live near the Chesapeake Bay. Last summer we went to the top of the Bay, across the C&D Canal, down the Delaware Bay and up the Atlantic. Circumnavigated Long Island and heading back after anchoring behind lady liberty for a day. What a cruise.
This summer we will tow it to New England, launch her, visit my daughter in Boston, the play around Cape Cod, then throw her back on the trailer and come home. This winter, we will tow to Florida and take a trip to the Bahamas.
To sit out the Corona Virus (we are teaching online now), we were just about to load her up and head to the Keys. However, the governor of Florida just closed all of the boating ramps in the state because people didn't know how to boat, but keep isolated. I think we will still go to the boat and just socially isolate there.
A little bit more about the Ranger 31CB... We have excellent electronics, radar, etc, which save our buts when out in Atlantic we got fogged in for 6 hours.
Also has generator, heat/AC, refrigeration, two heads, one with shower and nice queen bed. Oh, and I read that somebody thought these boats were a bit posh, well you are right, we have a wine cooler as well!
The power plant is excellent. We have the 300hp inboard diesel. It's a great all around engine. We can troll speed at 6 knots, burning under 2 gph. At 16 knots, we burn 10 gph. We like to troll, but if we need to out run or storm or something, we can always jump up and go.
In short, it is hard to "compare". I've piloted Cape Dory's I've owned a Bayliner and even went to the dark side and sailed a few year. I really have enjoyed all of my boats. Right nowI love my Ranger Tug - for lots of reasons.
If anyone would like to know more, don't hesitate to ask.
Best to all. Hope to see you on the water (from a social distance).
Bobby
