Dinghy Options for the Ranger 25?
- Thread starter Island Ranger
- Start date
Mac,
Wow, Lots of info to digest. Just to verify....10 kts and burned 4 plus gal of fuel. Like you got about 2 miles per gal? If that is so with 75 gal tank we have a range of 150 miles. That is an eye opener for me. Did you carry extra fuel? Where did you carry them? You said Car Carrier. Do you have pictures of it on your boat? 2000 miles is an excellent test for everything. Was that 52 days on the boat on the water or did you base on the hard and make trips.
Sorry about all the questions, but you are the first to get some good mileage on the Ranger. You can tell, some of are starving for information and getting our own experience with the boat.
Looking through your album I found all kinds of good things to do.
Tell Linda next time you make that trip we will chase after you.
The Mis Dee will get her chance this coming winter in warm water.
Just had the canopy installed. Tomorrow I will install the new 4000 pd winch on the trailer. I have (in cabin) rod reel holders coming. One piece of teak came in with the winch for some needed cabin improvements.
72 inch by 5 inch by 1/2 inch. $79.00 can you believe that?
Mac, you should start a thread on your trip. Just add to it when you feel like it. You would have some loyal followers.
Captd
Wow, Lots of info to digest. Just to verify....10 kts and burned 4 plus gal of fuel. Like you got about 2 miles per gal? If that is so with 75 gal tank we have a range of 150 miles. That is an eye opener for me. Did you carry extra fuel? Where did you carry them? You said Car Carrier. Do you have pictures of it on your boat? 2000 miles is an excellent test for everything. Was that 52 days on the boat on the water or did you base on the hard and make trips.
Sorry about all the questions, but you are the first to get some good mileage on the Ranger. You can tell, some of are starving for information and getting our own experience with the boat.
Looking through your album I found all kinds of good things to do.
Tell Linda next time you make that trip we will chase after you.
The Mis Dee will get her chance this coming winter in warm water.
Just had the canopy installed. Tomorrow I will install the new 4000 pd winch on the trailer. I have (in cabin) rod reel holders coming. One piece of teak came in with the winch for some needed cabin improvements.
72 inch by 5 inch by 1/2 inch. $79.00 can you believe that?
Mac, you should start a thread on your trip. Just add to it when you feel like it. You would have some loyal followers.
Captd
Island Ranger
New member
Sorry - been busy. Just finished mounting the Scotty downriggers on Island Ranger and tried fishing today. Did catch one blackmouth, but out of season so back he (she?) went. Gotta solve the problem of going too fast - idle speed is over 3 kts. I tried trailing buckets - that cuts 1/2 knt but makes a heck of a wake.
Yep, we cruise all the way up from South Whidbey. It took us three weeks to get to Tracy Arm. That included only one lay day for weather in Comox. We started trying to do 100 mile days (10 hours) but it was just too tiring so we kept cutting back until we settled in around 4-6 hours max each day.
We probably got around 2.5 miles to the gallon for the trip - running at 10 kts, so yes - 150 mile range with no reserve. The most we ever took was 65 gallons, so we got close. We carried a spare 5 gallons in a can just in case. I figured if we ran out, we could use the 5 gallons running at hull speed (6.5 kts, 1700 rpm), burning less that 1.5 gallons per hour and cover another 20 miles. We mapped out fuel stops - and were successful finding clean dry diesel frequently enough.
We bought the sport rack - actually Jeff threw it in at the boat show as an incentive to "sign now". We put a standard car Thule car top carrier on it instead of the kayaks they had at the show. It was great for storing garbage and laundry during the trip. It now houses the canvas enclosure, spare chairs and the grill - and the quarter berth is almost empty! I'll try to get some pictures posted - we have a zillion!
We spent all 52 days sleeping on board -almost every night swinging on the hook - many at anchorages all by ourselves (if you don't count the bears). We did hole up at Ketchikan for three days waiting for weather to cross Dixon..
Mac
Yep, we cruise all the way up from South Whidbey. It took us three weeks to get to Tracy Arm. That included only one lay day for weather in Comox. We started trying to do 100 mile days (10 hours) but it was just too tiring so we kept cutting back until we settled in around 4-6 hours max each day.
We probably got around 2.5 miles to the gallon for the trip - running at 10 kts, so yes - 150 mile range with no reserve. The most we ever took was 65 gallons, so we got close. We carried a spare 5 gallons in a can just in case. I figured if we ran out, we could use the 5 gallons running at hull speed (6.5 kts, 1700 rpm), burning less that 1.5 gallons per hour and cover another 20 miles. We mapped out fuel stops - and were successful finding clean dry diesel frequently enough.
We bought the sport rack - actually Jeff threw it in at the boat show as an incentive to "sign now". We put a standard car Thule car top carrier on it instead of the kayaks they had at the show. It was great for storing garbage and laundry during the trip. It now houses the canvas enclosure, spare chairs and the grill - and the quarter berth is almost empty! I'll try to get some pictures posted - we have a zillion!
We spent all 52 days sleeping on board -almost every night swinging on the hook - many at anchorages all by ourselves (if you don't count the bears). We did hole up at Ketchikan for three days waiting for weather to cross Dixon..
Mac
Not to butt in on this thread, but when we saw Mac and Linda at Princess Louisa Inlet (on their way home), they looked relaxed and satisfied. You could tell that they were very much at home on the tug. The boat received plenty of admiring looks from others on the dock, too.
You can see their Thule storage on top, too.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
You can see their Thule storage on top, too.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Mac,
Does that rack they used for kayaks just clamp around the hand rails or did they have a base and screwed them into the roof? I sure like the idea of the thule. Did you mount it dead center on the boat or does it set to the starboard side? It looks like, from the picture, it is on the starboard so it is easy to get into. After having the top rack on the Hunky Dory it is hard to do without. It would also help my ballast problem.
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Darrel
Does that rack they used for kayaks just clamp around the hand rails or did they have a base and screwed them into the roof? I sure like the idea of the thule. Did you mount it dead center on the boat or does it set to the starboard side? It looks like, from the picture, it is on the starboard so it is easy to get into. After having the top rack on the Hunky Dory it is hard to do without. It would also help my ballast problem.
Thanks for all the good ideas.
Darrel
Island Ranger
New member
The sports rack Ranger provided just clamps to the existing rails on the boat. We then just attached the carrier to the rails. I attached it dead center - for best "appearance" and it is a little bit of a stretch to reach. I've used the boat hook to pull things closer, and have resorted to climbing on the cabin to to arrange things.
I avoid putting much weight up there - didn't want to make the boat top heavy, but really I have no data....
Mac
I avoid putting much weight up there - didn't want to make the boat top heavy, but really I have no data....
Mac
Hi Mac,
Some of your experience with the Pudgy would sure be appreciated. I have picked up my boat and am ready to mount it on the dive platform. I sent you a p-mail via this site. Don't quite know how that works so I thought I would ask a few questions right here. Did you get the boat you ordered at this point? I have the Weaver davits and am ready to install. Is there anything you would do different in your mount positions? Like further in or out. I'm not in the water and parked in a spot that it is hard to get the dink up into position, so I wondered if I could just measure and bolt the mounts in.
At the Ranger factory I saw a Livingston dink mounted on a Ranger. Andrew had used the Weaver winch and stand offs. It looked like it made good sense. Kind of spendy tho. How did it work on your boat to pull it up by hand? I noticed you used a fender to rest the dink against, was that satisfactory?
I have a small leak in the keel hand hold. They said there was a new adhesive the worked with polyethene. They haven't told the name of the stuff. Maybe one of the C-Brats could tell me what it is?
Darrel (captd)
Some of your experience with the Pudgy would sure be appreciated. I have picked up my boat and am ready to mount it on the dive platform. I sent you a p-mail via this site. Don't quite know how that works so I thought I would ask a few questions right here. Did you get the boat you ordered at this point? I have the Weaver davits and am ready to install. Is there anything you would do different in your mount positions? Like further in or out. I'm not in the water and parked in a spot that it is hard to get the dink up into position, so I wondered if I could just measure and bolt the mounts in.
At the Ranger factory I saw a Livingston dink mounted on a Ranger. Andrew had used the Weaver winch and stand offs. It looked like it made good sense. Kind of spendy tho. How did it work on your boat to pull it up by hand? I noticed you used a fender to rest the dink against, was that satisfactory?
I have a small leak in the keel hand hold. They said there was a new adhesive the worked with polyethene. They haven't told the name of the stuff. Maybe one of the C-Brats could tell me what it is?
Darrel (captd)
captd":1qximi8y said:
Darrel-
We discussed it in relation to the black water holding tank repair.
It's Loctite's Polyolefin Adhesive.
Let us know how it works out!
Joe.
Thanks Joe,
Have you seen it in any stores, or do you think I would have to order it? Hopefully it is here in the states already. UK is a long way from here. The stuff really sounds good.
Factory has told me to use a hot gun and a piece of polyethene and weld the spot. A touchy job at best.
Darrel
Have you seen it in any stores, or do you think I would have to order it? Hopefully it is here in the states already. UK is a long way from here. The stuff really sounds good.
Factory has told me to use a hot gun and a piece of polyethene and weld the spot. A touchy job at best.
Darrel
Island Ranger
New member
Hi Darrel -
I replied to your PM, maybe your email address isn't working correctly? Anyway, my response may be useful to others, so here it is:
I still have the orange loaner - waiting for mine to be built. Wonder if I'll ever get it? I got another note today from Tony that the last molding run failed again, no schedule for another (but should be soon).
To mount the brackets, I put the Pudgy in the water, and lined up the brackets to mark & drill the mounting holes. I chose to put the brackets in as far as I could - to avoid a gap between pudgy and swim step so the dog's feet wouldn’t get caught in between, and so the brackets wouldn't stick out past the swim step.
Turns out the bracket needs room underneath the sliding mechanism, so I had to chisel away under the bracket so the slider would function.
I think I would do it the same if I had a choice again - although I do have a problem with the swim step motor mount I added for fishing. Turns out I can't pull the dinghy up when the motor mount is installed - it hits. I don't know if I had installed the weaver brackets farther out if I could have given myself enough room for the dinghy to clear. Guess I could eyeball it next time I use the pudgy (and take off the motor mount).
I think you have to buy the Weaver Davits from Weaver. They slide into the molded holes in the pudgy - and are pretty slick. 10 seconds to put on the Pudgy - or to remove. They are a pain on the Pudgy - the front one sticks out quite far and makes a heck of a time to dock without spearing someone or something.
The fender was temporary. I also purchased the rod standoffs from Weaver - mounted the base on the swim step, removed the grab lines from the Pudgy and put in large D rings to provide a spot to clip the standoffs. Also pretty slick, though I doubt I would trust them to hold when trailer the boat without some back-up.
I couldn't lift the Pudgy by myself on the davits, so I rigged a 4 way pulley & line to the railing above the porthole (that's above the head) and attached it to the pudgy. It works pretty neat through the rear doorway and takes only 25 pound of pull to lift the pudgy. I put away between when not in use. I may now use the new Garhauer lift now that I have it.
Mac
I replied to your PM, maybe your email address isn't working correctly? Anyway, my response may be useful to others, so here it is:
I still have the orange loaner - waiting for mine to be built. Wonder if I'll ever get it? I got another note today from Tony that the last molding run failed again, no schedule for another (but should be soon).
To mount the brackets, I put the Pudgy in the water, and lined up the brackets to mark & drill the mounting holes. I chose to put the brackets in as far as I could - to avoid a gap between pudgy and swim step so the dog's feet wouldn’t get caught in between, and so the brackets wouldn't stick out past the swim step.
Turns out the bracket needs room underneath the sliding mechanism, so I had to chisel away under the bracket so the slider would function.
I think I would do it the same if I had a choice again - although I do have a problem with the swim step motor mount I added for fishing. Turns out I can't pull the dinghy up when the motor mount is installed - it hits. I don't know if I had installed the weaver brackets farther out if I could have given myself enough room for the dinghy to clear. Guess I could eyeball it next time I use the pudgy (and take off the motor mount).
I think you have to buy the Weaver Davits from Weaver. They slide into the molded holes in the pudgy - and are pretty slick. 10 seconds to put on the Pudgy - or to remove. They are a pain on the Pudgy - the front one sticks out quite far and makes a heck of a time to dock without spearing someone or something.
The fender was temporary. I also purchased the rod standoffs from Weaver - mounted the base on the swim step, removed the grab lines from the Pudgy and put in large D rings to provide a spot to clip the standoffs. Also pretty slick, though I doubt I would trust them to hold when trailer the boat without some back-up.
I couldn't lift the Pudgy by myself on the davits, so I rigged a 4 way pulley & line to the railing above the porthole (that's above the head) and attached it to the pudgy. It works pretty neat through the rear doorway and takes only 25 pound of pull to lift the pudgy. I put away between when not in use. I may now use the new Garhauer lift now that I have it.
Mac
Mac,
Appreciate all your information on the Pudgy. I probably screwed up. I ordered two ft stand offs. After studing the installation , I think 2 ft is going to be too short. You mentioned you came up from the dive platform, is that correct? How long were they? Did you get the d-rings from weaver? where were all your attachments? I ordered weavers winch with quick detachment.
If it is'nt to much trouble could you post a picture of your stand off setup?
Darrel
Appreciate all your information on the Pudgy. I probably screwed up. I ordered two ft stand offs. After studing the installation , I think 2 ft is going to be too short. You mentioned you came up from the dive platform, is that correct? How long were they? Did you get the d-rings from weaver? where were all your attachments? I ordered weavers winch with quick detachment.
If it is'nt to much trouble could you post a picture of your stand off setup?
Darrel
Island Ranger
New member
I couldn't figure out how to attach the standoffs to the transom - and still use the canvas enclosure. So I attached the standoffs to the swim step. It makes it a triangle - not the most rigid structure, but I thought strong enough (maybe not for trailering though?). I can't remember the length - I vaguely remember 40 inches, but am not sure. I bought the fixed length, and located the attachment brackets on the swim step so they would work. I bought the D-Rings from a marine store - just made sure the width was adequate to span the molded piece on the Pudgy.
I just (today) took Island Ranger down to the Factory for the long overdue warranty work. Andrew met me at the launch ramp this afternoon - so I can't take any pictures, sorry!
Mac
I just (today) took Island Ranger down to the Factory for the long overdue warranty work. Andrew met me at the launch ramp this afternoon - so I can't take any pictures, sorry!
Mac
Thanks to Jeff, Mac and Portland Pudgy I received all necessary information in time to change my order from Weaver. I caught the order before it was shipped. Man this is a terrific web site. Thanks one and all. When I get it all put together I will post the pictures in detail in photo album.
captd