RANGER TUG R-23
Introduced in 1979, the first Ranger Tug was 18 feet long and powered by an outboard inside of a motor well on the port side of the cockpit. It also had a sail rig. After an ownership change in 1999, the company expanded its line of tugs. Current models range in size from 23 to 31 feet, and both the R-23 and R-27 are outboard powered.
I inspected the R-23 with Dan Callahan, sales manager at Edgewater Yachts in Bradenton, Florida. Surrounded by more conventional outboard boats, the R-23 stood out with her bright navy hull and matchless tug-like design. This latest version features a curved vertical windscreen shaded by a wellproportioned brow.
Three large hatches in the aft deck reveal all the major systems. The components required for fuel, water, electrical and cooking are all contained in sealed compartments with appropriate ventilation and drainage. Flexible seating arrangements, a clever layout, a belowdeck Pullman berth, generous use of ports and proper proportion all make her seem much larger than her actual size. If I’m being picky, one small improvement I might suggest is to rethink the edge of the bottom step into the forward stateroom, as it is not radiused and could be an ankle biter, although hardly a deal breaker. The overhead includes a number of skylights— some fixed, some operable. A large port behind the settee opens up to the aft deck. All of this glass enhances the feeling of open space in the salon.
A careful inspection of specifications and pricing show that the R-23 is sold as virtually turnkey and includes standard equipment that is normally offered as an option on other boats. Note: The builder also offers a performance line called Cutwater Boats.
According to the builder, Ranger Tug owners are a well-knit group of enthusiasts from around the country. The website tugnuts.com is a popular web hub where these owners share a great deal about cruising experiences, repairs and rendezvous.
Surrounded by more conventional outboard boats, the R-23 stood out with her bright navy hull and matchless tug-like design.
Designed in the late ’70s by James Rosborough in Nova Scotia, the Rosborough 246 might just qualify as the original trailerable trawler. Rosborough Boats built nearly 500 of these original models, which have home ports throughout Canada and the United States. As the firm transitioned to designing and building semicustom vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard and U.S. state and municipal agencies, Rosborough’s design has continued in the hands of a variety of builders.
Rigorous sea conditions in its home waters of Nova Scotia influenced its design along workboat lineage and little has changed today. The Rosborough 246 is comfortable in a wide range of sea conditions. The Downeast-style semidisplacement hull with a center keel and a straight flat run aft combines performance and durability in a head sea.
I inspected the latest model at Wefing’s Marine in Eastport, Florida, one of the first dealers in the U.S. to focus on trailerable trawlers. A conversation with Wefing’s president, Marc Grove, touched on the challenges of trailering, launching and retrieving a boat of this size and weight. He recommends a ¾-ton pickup to handle the load and address stability and braking issues.
The high-profile cabin house provides a spacious salon, with large, tempered-glass windows and twin pilot doors for access to the foredeck. The latest Digby model offers an optional upgrade to a solid teak interior. The extended hardtop is a great place to store a dinghy, and provisions have been made to mount a manual lift.
A single 200-horsepower Suzuki engine mounted to the hull maximizes aft deck space, permits a swim platform, isolates engine vibration from the hull, improves fuel economy, and contributes to a drier ride and better handling.
The head on this boat was an optional composting toilet situated in the V-berth with privacy via the companionway door. One advantage here is more space dedicated to the salon, which always a plus.
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Rigorous sea conditions in its home waters of Nova Scotia influenced its design along workboat lineage and little has changed today.