C-Ranger R25 tug - In the water

Please don't get me wrong. Overall I like the looks. I just wish they had opted to do more of a bay window shape on the windsheild. It would make this boat look much better and probably provide more space on the dash/ceiling for electronics.

As for the door... Having to go up and down levels to get to the deck is going to be tough. That means that a door would have been nice. But working with a good deck hand should make her a simple boat to dock! :)

You can always put in a rear helm station for docking! :)
 
Joe.. I too have enjoyed your post and insights. I too agree with your lost friends position and numbers on the design folks too. I love seeing big ol pretty things that just make ya go wow...and often turn back and go take another look see. You are right..there are just not that many things built that pretty. If I ruffled yer feathers man... I am sorry. Have a cold one :beer and just realize that you ain't the 1st teacher I have ruffled... :embarrased and most of them I really like too...but we did not always agree....and I told them too. That carried on in my military career too.. some of my leadership liked it...and would send me in as the "go get it fixed and done guy.." and others just wanted a bunch of pigeons sitting around whistling the tunes they liked. You might have guessed I did not spend a lot of time with them after hours... and...if you surround yourself with a bunch of clones that all think a like, you will miss some great ideas and abilities to make many things better. The biggest room in every house is the room for improvement. Same is true for these boats we love. Wow... I guess I need to switch to decaf... :teeth :smileo :smilep :tea
 
Gary,

An aft station for fishing would be way cool. An aft station for docking total overkill IMO. I've discussed at length the handling of the 25 with Dave, and the aft location of the rudder makes for lots of rudder leverage. with the two thrusters, in most cases you could come alongside - have a cup of coffee, and go out and lay the lines on the dock. :wink:

When I'm fishing I want to be as close to the poles as possible - aft station yep!

And Joe and I sure do NOT always agree, but I've always respected his opinion -- and expect there is a reciprocal. The concept of having a 25 foot cruiser that is easily towed, launched, recovered, accommodates a family, good turn of speed, seaworthy, economical - the list is long. IMO they have a winner. NO, I ain't getting one, but sure would like to.

Dusty (a.k.a. clam)
 
Patrick and all-

Thanks for the very positive comments!

Nobody ruffled my feathers, etc. I was just a bit surprised by the sensitivity to the criticism I offerede of the "squarish" design. Most of my comments were positive, if you'll look it over again.

My friend used to say that the corrollary of the above ideas about competence in arttistic endeavors was that we all ought to discuss all such projects and in that way they would be held up to high standards and we would gradually get better and more beautiful designs. This is how the Greek's classical society developed it's perfection in art forms such as their architecture.

Thanks, Joe.
 
Now why did I just have a flash vision of Dusty standing on the stern of this vessel with nothing on but an olive leave crown>>>?? :smiled :mrgreen: :beer :embarrased
Bet we will not see that on the new brochures... :smile
 
I have followed the C-Ranger R-25 from just before the Seattle Boat Show to the first photo of the completed boat.

My first impression from the photo here was disappointment. Upon looking closer, I believe it is just an unflattering photo and the boat needs a little trim paint.

There is too much white on top and the www.c-ranger.com sign does not help. I believe the visor above the forward windows should be painted, like the C-Dory. If you look close, you will notice a visor above the rear side windows. It should be painted to match the trim also. That would break up some of the white on top and make a big difference.

The photo gives you the impression the front windows are flat and squared off, but if you look close, you can see it is V’d.

Because of all the bright white, you miss the fine detail of the boat. I like the lines; it just needs to be finished with a little trim paint.
 
oldgrowth":2p9w6rwv said:
the boat needs a little trim paint.

There is too much white on top and the www.c-ranger.com sign does not help. I believe the visor above the forward windows should be painted, like the C-Dory. If you look close, you will notice a visor above the rear side windows. It should be painted to match the trim also. That would break up some of the white on top and make a big difference.

Because of all the bright white, you miss the fine detail of the boat. I like the lines; it just needs to be finished with a little trim paint.
Click to expand...

Interesting that you've made this observation regarding the "trim paint" ie: visor. Because their artist's rendition on their website shows the visor as being painted as well as some other trim. The trim paint definitely makes a difference.
 
Yippee Skippy! Patty likes its looks! Duster, I certainly HOPE you are right about rough water handling, I know you are! The comments about the interior roominess are encouraging too - I just cannot seem to sneak away to the factory to get some pix, this durn day job keeps getting in the way...
 
Byrdguy -

You need a drink!!!!! Dusty nekid ain't gonna be in any brochure or porm advertisement :lol: :lol:

Just wait until you're in late 80s and trying to catch a 100 pound halibut. Better get your halibut up here so we can huddle and BS.

Duster
 
I am with Joe's group on this, it is a nice boat but a long way from a great boat. It's too bad that a fellow has to apologise for his opinion of this or any other matter. I suppose the Jackal's will tear that last statement up as well! Mike on Huda Thunkit
 
I've enjoyed the thought-provoking give and take in this thread! As most of you realize, flame wars can get nasty in a hurry. If this thread is an example of a 'disagreement', it's the mildest flame war I've ever seen! :wink:

I particularly appreciated Sea Wolf's reminiscence of his old friend and mentor. My wife took a 'required' artsy class while finishing up her accounting degree. It was an architecture class, 1 or 2 credits. She really enjoyed it (but was reacting from the perspective of an 'older' student; ~ 45 at the time).

One of the younger students asked the typical question: "What does it take to get an A in this class?"

The answer: "You'll know if you got an A 15 or 20 years from now when you're walking around and you think to look up." (!)

Janet said this was one of the best classes she's ever taken, and now (yes, 15 years later), she (and I) DO look up when we're walking around downtown Portland, or any new (or old) human environment.

So thanks for the reminder, Sea Wolf!

iggy
 
I'd like the window size to match closer to the profile drawing and portholes where shown on the profile drawing.... otherwise this ones a keeper!!! Glad I'm on the list (hull #4) and anxious for sea trials.
 
Asthetics are very personal, but there are some designs that are just right. I call it the "Look Back" test... if a particular design (boat, car, airplane, building, bridge, or a pretty girl) causes you to look back and smile, it is just right. Our boats have had this (not just my opinion, 'cause many people comment about the looks) - the Farrier designed Corsair trimaran (in the Sailing Hall of Fame) and our sweet catboat (it just looks like it belongs on a postcard)... and most certainly our upcoming C-Dory! :smilep

But, I gotta tell you, that C-Ranger 25 makes me look back, smile, and my heart skips a beat! That is one truly beautiful boat. I was impressed with the layout and drawing at the Seattle Boat Show; the photo is even better. I am looking forward to seeing one in person.

Congrats to those who have their names on the list for this beauty.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

PS - Never put down the looks of a man's wife, his boat, or his truck. It may not be your choice, but there is no way it will ever come across as constructive criticism. :wink:
 
yup, she's a "look back" boat....picture that as an angler model, chop off some of the cabin, add some outriggers and a pot puller....that would be an awsome fishing machine....a bit slow for me though, if I had Mike's money, I'd spring for the T.C.
 
Just a comment on docking and side doors. I have found side doors in even 40 foot trawlers difficult to get in and out of. With a small side deck and no well to step into, it would seem impossiable--and that docking with a bit more keel and wieight will not be a problem. One of the things I like about the C Dory22 is being able to reach from the window to the dock and flip a fender and line out, with a cleat right there. Unfortunately they missed this with the Tom Cat series and put the cleat foreward--not good thinking! So some folks are going back and adding cleats in the proper place! Hopefully this boat has a spring line cleat near the place when a hand or boat hook can get hold of a dock or cleat, until the boat is properly secured.
 
Hey all,

Well, it is great to see photos of this new gem on the water! I've been waiting to see her topsides :shock: -- but don't tell Lynn. My first reaction was that it wasn't as cute as the drawings, then read the post about the trim paint -- that's what was different!

Lynn and I both enjoy the look of the old tugs we come across. We like the look of the Nortics also -- especially the smaller ones. And where I don't object to this 'square' look, I have to admit that the photos of the Victory Tug above show a beautiful example of a design that is classic.

A line from a book I have on canoe design says, "there is no excuse for an ugly boat." And I don't think that I am going out on a limb when I say that most of us were drawn to these C-Dories at least in part for their cute, salty look. I'm sure that this new boat will also have such a loyal following.

BTW, from what I can see from the photo, that cockpit area looks awfully nice. Cannot wait to see one in person!

Corwin
 
Folks-

We're all good C-Brat friends here and respect each others opinions and ideas.

We also nataurally have somewhat different tastes and personal preferences.

I think James hit the nail on the head when he made the following comment:

"PS - Never put down the looks of a man's wife, his boat, or his truck. It may not be your choice, but there is no way it will ever come across as constructive criticism."
_________________
Jim & Joan (aka JamesTXSD)

***********************************************************
And ESPECIALLY when he has a new one on order!!! I might add!

(Does this last apply to not only the boat, but the truck and wife too???

(With apoplogies for the sexist comment!)

Have a great C-Brat day...

Joe.
 
From comparing the early drawings on the C-Ranger site with the opening day photo, I think that the boat trim was not quite done on opening day.

The porthole window in the v-berth area is missing. The horizonal blue stripe is missing. As noted earlier the blue "brim" is missing.

Other differences - the most obvious one is the large square side window towards the stern end as opposed to the round port-hole style. Also, the bow rail does not extend as far sternward in the photo as was originally intended. Hence, I think the boat will look even better once things are done.

Also, I agree with a few of the comments on the earlier posts - I think the front windows could look better with a little forward tilt and think the front side windows would look better if they were a little smaller - the obvious trade-off on the latter is visibility for aesthetics and many would rather have the visibility. The front side window does look big enough that one could climb out of it though so that might be an answer to those who want the door there. :wink:

I also think the banner in the photo does detract from the aesthetics in a significant way as the nice curve in the line where blue meets white is less evident with the banner. While the hull on this boat does not have a large a curve as Joe's favorite Nelson tugs (which I like also), the eye can be fooled a bit to see more of a curve through clever use of the white space on sides of the hull (which comes from the "lid"). I bet that's what Mr. Livingston was doing by having the white trim extend further downward towards the bow than towards the stern.

Let's wait to see what it looks like when it really done. Probably will look better than the early photo.
 
While I suppose one could characterize those who like the design as "Jackals", one could also characterize those who attack the design as "Jackals", but my take on the whole thing is that 99.9% of us posting here are boat ppl who respect everyone's thoughtful opinions. So, no need for stress on anybodys' part. John
 
I, too, noticed the missing portholes and the lack of trim color. Considering all their past models and the design target, I am pretty sure some of this is forthcoming. With such a tall profile, we need all the horizontal lines we can get! John
 
Back
Top