As more evidence of the increasing move to outboard power, Ranger Tugs just introduced its 2018 R-27 with a single Yamaha F300 outboard, opening up the cockpit a bit, adding to the boat’s overall length, and certainly producing a bump up in speed. We don’t have any performance details yet, but we do know that the shift to an outboard will appeal to a portion of Ranger’s potential market that wanted some more juice. The Kent, Washington-based company will still offer the popular R-27 with a standard 200-hp Volvo D3 diesel.
Over the years, I’ve cruised on Ranger Tugs in the San Juans and the Canadian Gulf Islands and have always enjoyed their comfort, creative use of space and easy living on board. With a standard bow thruster, and remote, the 27 is easy to handle around a dock, while the two-cabin, one-head layout makes cruising comfortable for a family or a small group of friends.
The forward cabin has a V-berth that sleeps two adults comfortably; the bed is more than 6’5” long, and the cabin has a head with shower. The salon includes a midship office space with a desk and a chair; it converts to a berth that sleeps two, while the dinette table is on a hydraulic piston and converts to a berth or lounge area. The signature Ranger Tugs curved windshield and overhead glass provide a lot of light for the salon. The standard galley includes a sink, fridge, inverter, microwave and combination propane stove/oven.
All Ranger Tugs come fully equipped and ready to cruise. The standard 27 includes a Garmin 7612 chartplotter and autopilot and AIS 300. With its 8’6” beam, the Ranger 27 can be trailered easily from one cruising destination to another. The boat comes in two versions: The Northwest Edition, with a diesel forced-air furnace and downrigger plugs and pads, for $184,937, and the Luxury Edition, with a generator and air conditioning, for $199,937.
Specs.: LOA 27’0”; Beam: 8’6”; Draft (motor down): 2’9”; Disp.: 7,000 lbs.; Fuel: 150 gals;. Water: 40 gals.; Power: 1xYamaha F300 outboard. http://rangertugs.com
