OK, it's nice to race out and back to the hot fishing spots... It's nice to outrun a storm back to safe haven... It's nice to be able to get to port before dark, or to a dockside restaurant in time to meet friends...
BUT, there is nothing so pleasurable as putting around at 1400-1500 rpm, at 6-8 smph, at 3-5 mpg, on the Raymarine 6002 autopilot, occasionally tweaking the steering with that little round knob on the unit, with binoculars, digital camera, drawing pad, chips and drink, head half out the wide open center window, exploring all the little inlets, cliffs, woods, and critters there in or on....... AAAAHHHHH.... that is the ultimate relaxation.
So, here I am shamefully confessing that I spend most of my time on the TomCat cruising around at hull speed, 6-8 mph... and it's wonderful.
Yes, I loved the Ranger 25 looks, but the non-opening center window and the scarcity of diesel fuel docks here in the MidWest ruled that one out for me. The TomCat's "dashboard" under the front windshield holds lots of snacks, books, etc.. I use the Audible Books , (like books on tape, but on a chip) and really enjoy having a good book read to me while I daydream and putt around.
And, I'm not averse to cooking breakfast or dinner while casually exploring the 1400 mile shoreline of Grand Lake.
Yes, I watch the water, keep the radar on with a warning radius for encroaching watercraft. The Raymarine 4 K radar even warns of jet skis approaching! Pretty sensitive.
Anyway, I was just wanting those sailors who enjoy the more leisurely cruising speeds to know that the TomCat excels at extremely stable, slow speed cruising!
John
BUT, there is nothing so pleasurable as putting around at 1400-1500 rpm, at 6-8 smph, at 3-5 mpg, on the Raymarine 6002 autopilot, occasionally tweaking the steering with that little round knob on the unit, with binoculars, digital camera, drawing pad, chips and drink, head half out the wide open center window, exploring all the little inlets, cliffs, woods, and critters there in or on....... AAAAHHHHH.... that is the ultimate relaxation.
So, here I am shamefully confessing that I spend most of my time on the TomCat cruising around at hull speed, 6-8 mph... and it's wonderful.
Yes, I loved the Ranger 25 looks, but the non-opening center window and the scarcity of diesel fuel docks here in the MidWest ruled that one out for me. The TomCat's "dashboard" under the front windshield holds lots of snacks, books, etc.. I use the Audible Books , (like books on tape, but on a chip) and really enjoy having a good book read to me while I daydream and putt around.
And, I'm not averse to cooking breakfast or dinner while casually exploring the 1400 mile shoreline of Grand Lake.
Yes, I watch the water, keep the radar on with a warning radius for encroaching watercraft. The Raymarine 4 K radar even warns of jet skis approaching! Pretty sensitive.
Anyway, I was just wanting those sailors who enjoy the more leisurely cruising speeds to know that the TomCat excels at extremely stable, slow speed cruising!
John