What would you like to see on the new C-Ranger R25 tug?

If you watch the old fishing guys - single engine, helm inside and forward, they make the dock/float with enough headway to back down and swing the stern in-- then cleat a pre-rigged (midship) aft spring to work against with enough right rudder and ahead-easy to hold the boat alonside. Been doing it for years and works great. A bow thruster would be nice trying to get into my present slip... getting old and sloppy.

Dusty
 
Having experience in both sail and power, my experience is that the center of resistance for a keeled sail vessel provides a nice, more reliable pivot point in the wind, than a bow light power vessel. My 29 dog of a houseboat worked well using the midship positioned bow and stern springs. I would just use whichever one applied to the approach dictated by the wind.

One of our problems in the midwest is the wind. It is rarely constant speed. Usually 15-25 mph and gusting and not unusual to gust over 30 mph and to 40 mph on approaching storm. As such, we have to practice several scenarios for each approach and be prepared to abandon one for the other at a second's notice. I also had a twin engine jet boat which was like throwing a boulder at the dock and crossing your fingers.

Having experienced hundreds of adrenaline rushes docking in tight quarters in unpredictable wind, dodging apparently blind jet-skiers, and beer soaked speeders, I would welcome the thrusters. John
 
Another question, though. Considering the semi-displacement design morph of the Ranger, it would seem you'd need pretty deep water or steep ramp to get it to float off the trailer... kind of like a shoad draft sailboat. Are they considering making a trailer with a sliding tongue extension to get this off the trailer on the average, not so steep ramp? John
 
Well, I'd like to see two differant deck versions. 3 major parts to this boat. 1 is the hull, 2 is the deck, 3 is the topside. Just think if that CR-21-EC was simply "blown up" to fit the current CR-25 hull. That would be real sweet. Then, after returning home and thinking back and looking at some other boats.... I keep coming back to those electirc duffy boats.... They have some real nice layouts on the 21' version, that again could be expanded to the current CR-25 hull. Duffy also made a 30' version with is a great looking boat....but I think the limited electric motor forced it sales down low enough that currently factory space is going to the 21s. Using diesel instead of electric would offer a better turn of speed...and, you could just keep going. Just think at a gathering a CR-25 set up like the 21 Duffy with a hardtop set up. You'd be talking about putting 8-12 friends on your boat to go enjoy a nice sundowner...or two..or three... OK, being raised on the lake/river in a large family using pontoon boats I admit...but man, it is a great time to get together and just ride with a group of folks on the same boat. And, they have engineered a microwave, sink and refrigerator into the 21 set up too.
 
Oppps forgot something.... earlier post asked about prop protection. Duffy has an option called a "manatee guard" I think.... I think I saw one of these on a Duffy that was on the block in CA. Just looked sort of like an old catchers mask.... not a lot to it as to cut down water flow, but enough to fend off stuff in the water like logs and such. That Newport 21 has the refer, micro and sink.

I think with just a bit of work and a few drawings passing back and forth between David, John and Jeff.... this could be possible after they get the current CR-25 up and going good.
 
OK, I put up a new batch of factory pix today...sorry, not the greatest quality, but I still think you will find them interesting. When I arrived, Dave was pretty much right where he was when I left on January 20th! John joked that they keep Dave there all the time and feed him Bondo! Today was the first day they were applying Bondo to the cabin plug - before they are done, they will have applied about 50 cans of Bondo, sanded it all smooth, applied multiple coats of the covering material, sanding each coat with 600 - 800 grit, and filling all the tiniest holes. Then they will finally be ready to take the mold - and as soon as they do that, they throw away the plug!

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Pat, Thanks for those progress pics on the cabin top plug. Steve explained how to save them, so I finally got that figured out. 'Neat to see it all taking shape! Good luck on your cruises, Pat, et al. John
 
Just another comment, it seems with all the work on the plugs, they ought to make TWO molds from each plug before they discard it - too late now for the hull and liner I guess - but I will BET at some point they will wish they had two molds. The facility according to John is about 10,000 square feet, but they have lots of room behind, and the excavator was running while I was there to prep for a concrete pour for more outdoor storage. They have started down this path, I am pretty sure the SBS sales blew them away, now they need to be ready to fulfill these and many more future orders to come...this is a niche boat for which the time is right!
 
Great stuff Pat and Thanks! Wow... to be able to be so close for visits. This is cool. OK, I give up, what is the big upside down ladle looking thing? I can not name that part set up.
Byrdman
 
Looks to me like the smoke stack! With a ridge down the middle of the roof. It is amazing what they can do with a little wood isn't it? Those guys are true craftsmen!

Thanks for the pics Pat!
 
If you're having trouble visualizing the smokestack, cabin rib top , mast, and spotlight, look at the last two photos above and then this drawing which shows them all together mounted upright, etc.

R25_main.jpg


Joe.
 
What would I like most? C-Salt in HUGE letters on each side!!

That's not gonna happen, but dream on, ol' guy.

And Jon and C-Lou can figger out what to do with that smoke stack. I can smell the aroma of smoked salmon from here,

Dusty
 
I am guessing the raised area that runs from the spotlight thru the stack and back to the aft cabin entrance is designed to provide protected wiring runs.

Does anybody know if that mast could be easily raised and lowered for a covered slip or indoor storage? John
 
I liked Dusty's excellent suggestion that the fake smoke stack could be used as a salmon smoking device. I'd like to also suggest that it could be a great place to put a small keg of Snoqualamie Falls beer. What do you think, Pat and Patty? I don't know if the space is big enough nor how you would keep the beer cold up there, but a boat with hot water and cold beer available at the tap would be perfect....

Roger on the SeaDNA
 
IT's too bad it's not big enough to house an air conditioner, or if you live in the PNW, a solar/electric water heater. Too much weight up top would be the real limiting factor.

Could enclose a small radome, propane cylinder, auto-inflating life raft, or????

Joe.
 
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