Considering a move up

Thanks for looking out for me, Kushtaka. But Bob sums things up pretty well. I'm just starting to process this, and most all the information has been helpful. I just joined the Tugnuts site, and will post the same question there. It is interesting to me that most people I know who own larger boats and do lots of cruising grew up in families with larger boats that did lots of cruising. A lot of stuff they've just "always" known. That's not my situation at all!
 
There are lots of books on maintenance of this type of boat--and as pointed out the great Ranger factory is extremely helpful.

Nigel Calder has published several books on many of the systems, and probably would be a good place to start reading up. (Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual) Each specific engine, is going to be a little different, but there are a lot of generalizations which will hold true. However this is sort of a reference book. I still have the first edition, and it holds as true today as when it was published. (just a few innovations have occurred along the way!)

In the 25, Ranger has gone from about 75 hp up to the 150hp range, with brands including Yanmar, Cummins, & Volvo.

I suspect reading every post on the TugNuts site, will be as much education as is necessary---as great a resource for the Tuggers as for the C Brats!
 
FWIW It took me quite some time to realize the advantages of four stroke outboards (x2) for a trailerable boat, but no regrets, and I would never go back to an inboard.
 
Well, Judy and I started with a 22' sailboat, went up to a 25 and then to a 36. Each was a big step and a new learning curve.

Then we took a big step: a powerboat, an even bigger learning curve. And we're still not done learning.

In each case, we learned best on our own. You already have the basic skills, such as anchoring, cruising, docking and so forth. So my advice is to have a factory tour, including on-water operation and then do small tasks, such as leaving a dock and returning, setting the anchor, using a buoy to see how the boat turns. After you get confidence there, do something more.

An instructor is good, but I feel you learn best on your own. And since we all make mistks, do small things at first so the misteaks don't do harm.

Boris
 
FWIW,

After 7 years in our CD22 Cruiser, we moved to a much heavier more complex diesel/sterndrive 26-footer, for more room, and more/better creature comforts for our long summer cruises of the Inside Passage. It met the objectives, but certainly offered a learning curve in setting up properly, operating, and maintaining those more complex systems.

For the Volvo 44 engine, it was key to learn that it must be propped correctly to achieve full rated RPM at WOT with a full load. There were belts to check/change, impellers, how to do an oil change without making a total mess, more complex electrical systems, and many other details. I learned a ton from the boatdiesel.com website.

What I needed to have for spares, and how to change out failing items by myself in a remote location were super important. Fortunately mechanicing is something I usually enjoy, at least if I can get to the machinery (often not easy).

Took a big truck too, a 3/4 ton Cummins Dodge, to haul the ~12,000 lb boat/trailer. And keeping trailer brakes and bearings in good shape, towing thousands of miles through the mountains every year, was another learning curve and a good bit of work.

Much of my education came through experience. Sure would have been nice to have someone nearby to help me understand some things, but we're in Utah, and there aren't many boats even a little bit like ours here. Took a lot of time to figure my way though some issues, but I was retired, and had the time. There were some frustrating times during the learning curve, for sure, and after 17 years I'm sure I'm not done with it.

Was all this worth it? Absolutely - we've done a ton of wonderful cruising with the bigger boat. And I enjoy the learning/craft/hobby thing.
 
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