Time for a bottom job, boat bottom that is! —

Because of limited time in our schedule, when we took delivery of Kismet, we did not address scheduling the boat’s bottom paint until our after arrival in Florida. A couple of weeks after our Florida launch, I made arrangements to have our new boat travel lifted, power washed, and set up on jack stands at the DIY Glades Boatyard on the Caloosahatchee River. A day’s cruise from the marina. I did the research for the proper bottom paint. We use our boat in both salt and fresh water and for trailering, so I needed paint to cover all those usages. We choose Seahawk Cukote.

La Belle is A Great Stop On The Caloosahatchee River
A couple of weeks after we settled into our slip at Legacy Harbour Marina, we headed west on the river, stopping at the La Belle town dock for one night. We arrived at Glades on a Wednesday, late morning, and had to be finished by Friday afternoon. Otherwise, we’d have to stay over until Monday as they don’t operate the travel lift on weekends.

After we secured the boat on stands, I went to work prepping the hull for the “job.” After tapping off the paint line, I started de-waxing the surface by applying acetone to the entire hull. I did this for better adhesion of the Cukote. Next up was to lightly sand the cleaned hull for more adhesive abilities, followed by another acetone wipe.

With the hull prepped, I started rolling the first coat of Cukote, brushing in the areas where a short-nap roller would not reach. I applied a second coat the next day along with tape removal and cleanup. The last of the details were to paint under the jack stand pads and keel supports after the team at Glades moved the stands and lifted the boat.

Two days of crawling around on my hands and knees was a sufficient amount of time to feel that this could be the last time I’ll attempt this job on my own. We were lucky to have excellent weather, beautiful, not windy, and cool enough to get the job done quickly. We were in and out according to our schedule. A real big thanks to the team at Glades Boatyard for delivering, as promised, on the haul-out, launch. We splashed in a timely and cost-effective manner.

In addition to their boatyard, they have a huge storage lot for boats.

The post DIY Bottom Paint Job at Glades Boat Storage appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Gaining Capacity in Our Fresh Water Tank –

We just downsized to a Ranger Tugs R25OB from a Ranger Tugs R29S. We plan on keeping this boat for a long time, not our typical four to five-year history. Lisa and I are preparing for another stage in our boating adventures, one where trailering and maintenance are less of a chore. So, as we age, trailering will be easier because the boat is shorter, narrower (not requiring permits), and lighter than our prior two Ranger Tugs (an R27, and R29S).

We found several advantages in the new R25OB:
• Easier to Load onto a Trailer and Tow
• Less Expensive to Insure, Store, and Dock
• The R25OB is Faster Than All Our Other Boats

With a smaller boat comes some challenges, though.
The freshwater tank capacity on our new R25 is 38 gallons, black water capacity is 14 gallons. This was our first and main concern when ordering our new tug. With these smaller tanks, we would have to change how we boat, having to return to a marina every few days, to fill up our water tank and pump out our holding tank. Not a fun activity, if you’d rather be communing with nature, miles into the wilderness.

If you have been reading our blog for some time, you know how much we like to go off the grid for extended periods of time. We have devised a few ways of coping with water storage and holding tank capacity issues. Even with bigger tanks on the R29S, it was a challenge to conserve and manage (R29S freshwater capacity is 45 gallons, and blackwater capacity is 40 gallons).

The size of the boat was never a concern. We don’t mind a smaller space and all the tug models offer such amazing features in the standard packages. Always the Luxury Package for us, because it includes air conditioning. Those few gallons less, of tank storage, however, will hurt on long trips. We needed to address this problem with a workable solution before we ordered the boat.

Lisa and I brainstormed ideas.
The freshwater tank would be doable, but not ideal, by carrying extra 5-gallon jugs of water with us. However, we could not come up with another solution for the holding tank without changing the source of the problem, which, in turn, helped to solve our freshwater situation. We solved our holding tank problem by exchanging the factory-installed electric toilet for a composting Airhead toilet. (See a link to the post below on the installation of the composting toilet.)

The number one benefit of a composting toilet is that we would never have to visit a pump-out again. The second advantage is, that by switching out the factory-installed toilet for the new compostable Airhead, we increased our freshwater capacity by 14 gallons. We would do this by converting the NEVER BEEN USED black tank to a freshwater tank before we contaminated the tank with waste. This turned out to be the perfect answer to our tank issues. It was easy to do since the boat is new and the factory-installed black water tank was never used.

We did the composting toilet conversion within days of taking possession of our R25 (it needed to be done immediately so that we could use it), however, we waited a bit before converting the black tank to fresh water.

See our previous post on the installation of the composting toilet:

Black and Freshwater Tank Solution on a Small Boat

More water, please!
With the toilet installation completed, we turned our attention to marrying the black water tank to the freshwater tank. This increased our freshwater supply by 36%. Mike Rizzo, a boating friend who had done the same thing when he had his Ranger Tug, coached me through the project.

With the purchase of $100 worth of fittings, clamps, a diverter valve, a water hose, and a PVC board. I was ready to start the project. The large hose connected to the macerator pump feeds to the bottom of the black water tank. I disconnected it at the pump. I masterminded a reducer to take the hose from 1 1/2 inches down to the 1/2 inch water hose and connected it to one of three fittings on the diverter valve and capped the macerator. Next, I took the water line from the water pump, added some hose, and ran it to another diverter fitting. Then I installed a new water hose to the water pump and ran that to the center fitting of the new valve.

With everything in place, I secured the diverter assembly to the cabinet wall and crossed my fingers in anticipation that everything would work as planned. After a short time, with the water lines getting primed, we had success and 14 gallons more in our tanks to boot. One more thing we did was to name both tanks, MAIN, and RESERVE, and write them near the switch with a Magic Market. We decided that we would always start with the RESERVE tank and move on to the MAIN tank next. The water gauge only works on the MAIN tank, so that way when we are on the last tank we will have a reading of where we stand on water.

The extra capacity we gained by switching toilets increases our freshwater capacity to 52 gallons. This would be an increase over the capacity of our last Ranger Tugs R29 (45 gallons). Installing a diverter valve in the water lines between the water pump and the two tanks would give us access to that converted tank. By turning the valve to the tank of choice, you’ve just increased capacity.

On to the next project… having fun cruising on our new RT25OB.

The post Fresh Water Tank Capacity Dilemma & Solution appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Above-Left:  Interior of the hull, behind the refrigerator. Here you’ll see I installed the fitting to the hull that houses the 12V fan, to exhaust the Airhead solids tank.
Above-Right:  The grey hose is the vent hose. It runs from the solids tank through the hull interior to the vent exhaust. 

Lisa and I plan on keeping our new boat for a long time, not our typical four to five-year history. We still want to trailer Kismet to distant cruising grounds and inland lakes. We also want to be home with our boat, in the Great Lakes, most summers, and down to Florida with winter getaways. Trailering the new Kismet will be easier as we age because it is shorter, narrower, and lighter than our prior two Ranger Tugs. However, we needed a black and fresh water tank solution.

The new R25OB has many advantages. It’s faster, easier to maintain, and less expensive to insure, store and dock.
Owning a smaller boat comes with some challenges though, as it relates to black water capacity (14 gallons capacity. We’d be looking for a pump-out every five days, not a good use of our time) and freshwater capacity (38 gallons capacity). We wanted to address those two issues immediately.

We enjoy spending copious amounts of time in remote waters communing with nature. That means, we not only need food and various provisions to tide us over for a week or two at a time, sometimes without ever getting off the boat, we dinghy to shore for a walk in the woods or through a small town. But, we need to have more control over the waste situation and we need to store enough water to keep us hydrated and clean during long trips anchored out between marina visits. I love a challenge!

I did extensive research while we waited for our boat to be built, mostly on the black water solutions available.
In this scenario, taking care of the black water limitations will lead to help solve the water limitations on the new boat. So, we will increase our black water capacity by exchanging the factory-installed toilet for a composting Airhead Toilet. This will solve our freshwater storage because we plan to put into service the UNUSED, black water tank for more freshwater capacity. This, of course, would not be possible with an older boat, where the tank had already stored black water. Besides enlarging our fresh water tank and extending our need to visit marinas, we were looking forward to a more odorless head situation.

After a lot of research, online, and consulting with other cruisers with experience, we bought the Airhead composting toilet. My research, with friends, who have composting toilets, told us one can go up to three to four weeks, versus the five-day limit, on the solids. The liquid, which flows into its own container which attaches to the toilet, needs to be emptied more often. The factory does not install compostable toilets, so I knew I would install them myself. I had most of the process figured out and materials bought before we took possession of our new tug.

Right after we received our Ranger Tugs Factory Delivery Experience, a two-day orientation of boat systems and operations, I began our first renovation, to make our new boat work how we needed it to work for us; it was a four-step process.

  
Above-Left:  The grey hose is attached to the solids tank, in the rear. Notice the crank handle, used to stir up the solids tank to foster the composting

Above-Right:  This is the completed installation of the Airhead Composting Toilet. I mounted the unit to a piece of starboard to give the overhang support. The solids tank is towards the back, while the liquid tank is in the front.

First, I removed the factory toilet and then mounted the Airhead on the same base as the other. Next, I connected the vent hose to the toilet tank and ran it inside the wall cavity (had to take the refrigerator out for access). Then, I cut a hole in the hull’s side (that was fun!) and mounted it to the interior of the hull. I mounted a clamshell at a 45-degree angle on the exterior to keep water out and exhaust for the vent line. The last step was to electrify the 12V fan that will keep air flowing from the airhead tank.

Above:  Here is the clam-shell cover. It will protect the exhaust fan from moisture. I measured for the hole about six times to assure my one-shot at cutting a hole in our new boat would be done right. Only get one chance at this!

The entire process, which sounds easy, but because of working in such tight spaces, and having to move the refrigerator in and out a few times, took parts of three days to complete. In the end, we’ve increased our freshwater capacity, won’t be time-constrained in finding a pump-out station every five days, plus we’ll have an odorless result.

Not a suitable solution for everybody, but it helps us stay out on the water for longer periods of time without having to go into a marina or fuel dock for a pump out. That’s a big plus for us!

For more information on composting toilets, go to Air Head Composting Toilet

We later converted the black tank to a freshwater tank, read about the process here…

Fresh Water Tank Capacity Dilemma & Solution

The post Black and Freshwater Tank Solution on a Small Boat appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Waiting to Take Delivery of our New Ranger Tugs R25OB

I recall going to the lake with my parents when I was a child. A distinct memory of mine was asking my parents, “Are we there yet?” I asked every 15 minutes, after we got out of the City, thinking the lake was just around the corner. My two sisters and I were eager to get there in order to go swimming and boating. I loved being out on the water then, as much as I do today.

Fast forward from the late 1950s to 2020
In the fall of 2020, we sold our Ranger Tugs R29S. A few months later, we ordered a 2022 Ranger Tugs R25OB. The great news for us is that we take delivery in late November 2021. As I look back on the last 14 months, and our time without a boat, I am over the top excited to be getting back onto a boat. Over that 14-month span, I found myself chanting a familiar refrain, “Are we there yet?” Feeling somewhat helpless, as it relates to knowing there was nothing I could do to speed up the process.

Because we were boatless, and dealing with Covid constraints, Lisa and I immersed ourselves in other, more cerebral activities, still centered on boating. Lisa organized a new book by women, Ranger Tug owners (Lisa will announce it soon, stay tuned), while I worked on a book about trailering ins and outs (further down the pike, but it was a good project for me). I also concentrated on remodeling/updating projects on our house. We took time to purchase items we knew we’d need for the new boat. All of this helped occupy our time and in the end, it was all good. Lisa and I got a lot done, stuff we rarely have time for because we are off boating.

We asked the Ranger Tugs Factory if they would photograph the boat as it was being built, so we could share them with our readers. We have had construction photos taken on all of our new boats. The photos help us see what the guts of the boat look like; where the wires run, etc.

As we post the construction photos of our new Kismet, I’m happy to say to the 1950s Jim, the kid in me, that we indeed are almost there!

Integrated swim platform built into the hull.

This will be our first outboard engine!

Stateroom bulkhead looking into the salon.

Eight batteries; one start, one thruster, and six house lithium iron in lieu of a generator.

Topdeck is ready to marry with the hull.

Cockpit with fold-up seats.

Lots of storage space under the bed in the stateroom.

The new Kismet, Ranger Tugs R25OB, is almost ready for a sea trial, graphics, and detailing.

The post Ranger Tugs R25OB – Are We There Yet? appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Ranger Tugs Have the Perfect Size Boat for Everyone!

When we put our Ranger Tugs R29S up for sale, at the end of last summer, our family, boating friends, and acquaintances asked us, “What’s Next?” as it relates to our next boat. Or, they’d ask, “Are you getting out of boating?” This situation also happened to a friend of ours, an avid boater, when he was in between boats. Someone asked him if he was finished boating. His reply was, “Did you hear I died?” He, like us, had boating in his blood. We also plan on boating until we can no longer manage it.

Lisa and I have been boaters our entire lives and have owned six boats together during our married life. We moved up from our first boat together, a 21’ Four Winns I/O Sundowner Cutty Cabin, to two Silverton Convertibles a 31’ and a 42’ followed by a 40’ Fathom Trawler, and onto our Ranger Tugs R27 and R29. Now we’re heading in a new direction, a Ranger Tug R25, but this time with an outboard.

The questions we expect we’ll be asked the most are, why a 25’ boat, and why an outboard engine?

For a quick minute, we (mostly me, Jim) thought of buying an older classic trawler or a decommissioned working tugboat. However, reality soon set in and we had to ask ourselves, would we then spend a lot of time, and money, fixing up, or converting an old boat instead of getting out on the water? It would require a lot of work to bring one up to our standards, dealing with mechanical and other issues that come with an older boat. Although we also wanted to reduce our financial footprint in our boating lifestyle, we haven’t ever done the fixer-upper thing and decided we didn’t want to start. After we got that idea out of our systems and we came back to reality, we turned our attention to what we know and love best, Ranger Tugs. It’s always nice to own a new boat, especially if you are particular about how it is maintained.

Over the years, we’ve bought cars, trucks, boats, houses, and more. In our ten-plus years of owning two Ranger Tugs, the factory always treated us with respect and took care of us above the call of duty on any warranty issues and we’ve been provided technical guidance as if we’d bought our boat the week before. We know what we are getting with a Ranger Tug. When one has this kind of relationship with a company, as long as they have the desired product, why would we ever consider another boat brand? Ranger Tugs (aka Fluid Motion), has always treated us like family!

We are happy to have enjoyed our Ranger Tug R29S for almost four years.

I learned a lot about the permit system and once you get set up to roll, it wasn’t that difficult. However, looking forward to and planning for our 70s and beyond, we felt we needed to have a boat that would be a little easier to trailer than our R29S but still have the amenities we’re accustomed to. The Ranger Tugs R25 fits our requirements. The window and interior design are like the R29, with lots of visibility from inside the salon. Moving the head down below allows more light inside. The R25 is 8’6” wide, so no oversize permits are needed. The styling and color on the R25 resemble our R29S, just a little smaller, but that’s about the only sacrifice we’re making to get to our stated goals.

About five years ago, we were attending the big Fluid Motion Rendezvous in Roche Harbor, Washington. During one of the evening events, we talked with Mark Mansfield, former Cutwater National Sales Manager. Mark was telling us about the new outboards being introduced in some Cutwater Boats. I recall him stating something to the effect of “Mark my words, you’re going to see outboard engines become a dominate force in the marine industry.” Fast forward to 2021 and you’ll find Mark was accurate in his prediction. Chris Craft, Sea Ray, Hinckley, and Tiara, to name, just a few, all offer outboard engines as part of their lineup of boats. Not to be outdone, Cutwater Boats and Ranger Tugs introduced outboards in 2016/17. Later the new Ranger Tugs R27 and just this last year the redesigned R25 hit the water with a 250HP 4-stroke Yamaha.

More Water Sports for the Family!

We have two grandchildren that we are introducing to boating at a very young age. Our plan is to continue having as much fun with them on the water as we can and feel the R25 will help facilitate that by being able to not only take them cruising but immerse them into water sports as well. Water sports require more speed. The R25, with the 250 Yamaha, fits that bill as well.

We like the outboard engine for its quietness, ease of service, and how it mounts onto the integrated walk-behind swim platform. In addition, Ranger Tugs has gone to six lithium house batteries in place of a generator option on the R25. The lithium battery bank will run the air conditioning at anchor, charge all the electronics, make coffee, etc. and keep a charge for up to seven hours–depending on the load. We like the idea that we can enjoy our anchorage without having to run, or even have, a generator. Not good or bad, just a quieter option. In addition, the outboard has an alternator that will recharge the house bank while on the move.

Last, but not least, we’ll be maintaining the Hero Red hull color, so keep an eye out for us in the PNW, with a planned delivery in August 2021.

The post The New Kismet Will Be A Ranger Tugs R25 Outboard appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Jim and I had a mutual deal when we bought our Ranger Tug R29S, we would up-size from our six-year-old R27 (sold in 2017) and buy and keep a Ranger Tug R29S for two years. Before we decided to sell the R27, we had a decision to make – it was time to either sell her and try something else or keep her for the rest of our boating days. We both agreed it would be fun to try something new. It was one of the best decisions we’ve made together, as boaters.

The R29S is roomier than the R27, we were pleased to find it more stable too. Jim and I acknowledged the increased visibility right after we took possession. Any initial concerns about trailering a bigger boat were short-lived. We never hesitated to continue our trailering lifestyle in the USA and Canada with the bigger R29S.

We are on the boat in the Seattle area. Let us know if you are interested.
Email us: info@trailertrawlerlife.com

Well, two years turned into three in the blink of an eye.

We had so much fun trailering the new Kismet R29S from the Pacific Northwest to Michigan, after taking delivery in Des Moines, WA, and subsequently trailering her home; we’ve trailered her from Michigan to Florida, twice; also to Canada’s historic canal system, the Trent Severn Waterway and the Rideau Canal in 2018 and Canada’s North Channel, in 2019; we spent this summer cruising in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound since our original plan, of cruising to Alaska, could not happen because of COVID-19 border closures. Now, we have made the very hard decision to keep to our agreement and sell her while in the PNW.

We’ve had three exceptional years on this boat. No; we are not getting out of boating, just reevaluating and tweaking our boating lifestyle as we do every so often. We’ve enjoyed our R29S for three years and have taken excellent care of her.

Kismet is a LUXURY EDITION model in HERO RED and comes with a trailer and many extras. She is in LIKE NEW condition!

SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW FOR SPECS

Check out the Ranger Tug R29S on the Ranger Tugs Website

We are on the boat in the Seattle area. Let us know if you are interested.
Email us: info@trailertrawlerlife.com

FULL SPECS:

SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW FOR SPECS

HULL SHAPE: Semi-Displacement
COLOR: Hero Red

DIMENSIONS
LENGTH:    28’ 10”
LOA:    33’4”
BEAM:    10’
DRAFT:    2’ 4”
BRIDGE CLEARANCE:    13’ 11” (mast up)
BRIDGE CLEARANCE:    9’ 11” (mast down)
DRY WEIGHT:    10,500 lbs
ENGINE:    VOLVO PENTA – D4-300 HP, Inboard diesel
YEAR BUILT:    2018 Model, Built in 2017
ENGINE HOURS:    500 Hours
(Serviced at Manufacturers Recommended Intervals Since Purchased Last Serviced Sept. 4, 2020)
CRUISE SPEED:    8-14 MPH
MAX SPEED:    20 MPH
GENERATOR:    250 Hours
(Serviced at Manufacturers Recommended Intervals Since Purchased Last Serviced-Sept. 4, 2020)

TANK CAPACITIES
FUEL: 145 US GAL
WATER: 60 US GAL
HOLDING: 40 US GAL

PERFORMANCE
Bow and Stern Thrusters
Full-color Electronic Engine Control Display
Single Lever, Electronic Shift and Throttle Control
Trim Tabs

BOAT FEATURES
Anchor Locker
Bow Pulpit w/Beaching Ladder
Electrical Panels AC/DC
Forward Line Storage
Folding S.S. Mast for Trailering
Fuel Flow Data Display
Powered Engine Hatch
Rod Holders
Seawater Strainers
Sport Racks
Swim Step w/Built-in Fenders and S.S. Swim Ladder
Washdown System, Raw Water
Windlass w/Bow and Helm Controls

CONVENIENCE
Cabin Heater (Engine)
Cockpit, Reversible Transom Seat
Double Wide, Reversible Helm Seat
Dinette – Converts to Bed (Sleeps 2), High/Low Table
Fold-out Cockpit Seats
Inverter – 2000w, PSW
Microwave
Outlets 110V (5)
Power Outlets, 12V, Port and Stbd Side, Cockpit, Midship Cabin
Refrigerator/Freezer – Galley 12V
Refrigerator/Freezer – Cockpit 12V
Stove (2-burner)/Oven, Propane with box, and (2) tanks
Wine/Water Cooler 12V (6 bottles)

SAFETY
Diesel Power
Co Monitors (2), 12V
Courtesy Lights, Cockpit Entry Steps, Swim Steps, and Walkways
Dual Trumpet Electric Horn
Illuminated Compass
Navigational Lights w/Light Boards
Spotlight w/Remote
VHF Radio, Garmin w/Antenna, DSC Capable
Window Defrosters

ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment Center – Master Stateroom w/22” TV/DVD
Entertainment Center – Salon w/22” TV/DVD
Fusion Stereo System – Speakers (8), Bluetooth (Controllable Through Garmin GPS)

CONSTRUCTION
Bonded Electrical System
Bronze Rudder, Propeller, and Thru-hulls
Fiberglass Cockpit Lines, Self-bailing w/Non-skid
Fiberglass Stringer
S.S. Cleats, Rails, Ext. Hardware
Sunbrella Fabrics
Teak and Holly Cabin Sole
Vinylester Barrier Coat (hull)

LUXURY EDITION INCLUDED FEATURES
AIS 300
Air Conditioning/Reverse Cycle Heat
50’ HT Chain, 200’ Line
AGM Batteries
Autopilot, Garmin w/Remote
Generator, Diesel w/Sound Shield
LED Lights
Macerator Discharge
Navigation Package – Garmin 7612, 4KW HD Radar Dome, GPS Antenna, Depth/FF
Swim Platform Rails
Safety Kit
Solar Panel, 145 Watt w/Control Panel
Thruster Wireless Remote
Underwater Lights

OWNER ADDED OPTIONS
Cockpit Bimini
Dinghy – Inflatable RIB 290 CSM Hypalon
Dinghy 3-GAL Portable Fuel Tanks and Hose
Weaver Davits and Stand-offs
Dinghy Motor – Yamaha F6, 4 Stroke, Storage Bracket
EZ Loader Trailer – Aluminum Triple Axle w/Alloy Wheels, Electric, Hydraulic Brakes
Trailer Spare Tire
Dinghy Weaver Wheels – For Shore Landing Ease and Safety
Rocna 15 Anchor – Standard Bruce Anchor also Included
Factory Bottom Paint
Volvo 5-year Extended Coverage – 2 Years Remain and Is Transferable
Blackwater Tank Charcoal Filter
Victron Energy Battery Monitor
Pro Mariner Pro Safe FS60 – 60 AMP Galvanic Isolator
Bow Seats – Stowable

We are on the boat in the Seattle area. Let us know if you are interested.
Email us: info@trailertrawlerlife.com

The post KISMET FOR SALE – 2018 RANGER TUGS R29S LUXURY EDITION – $230,000 appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

After making a loop through the Thousand Islands, on the Saint Lawrence River, we returned to the canal system in Ontario. The first stop was Kingston, the southern starting point of the historic Rideau Canal

The French established Kingston, Ontario in 1673 as a trading post, Fort Cataraqui. In the 1780s the British took possession of the Fort and officially named the city, Kingston. For a short three-year period, in 1841, Kingston was the capital of Canada. In 1844 they moved it to Ottawa, at the northern end of the Rideau River.

As we walked around town, we noticed a more European feel to the architecture, reflecting its days as the nation’s capital and early military presence. Kingston’s nickname is “Limestone City,” because of the local limestone used on the buildings. We enjoyed two days and nights in Kingston, walking a lot and provisioning for the next leg of the trip. Lisa and I had a great Italian dinner and got to stretch our legs out. As luck would have it, we ran into some boating friends from our Looping days who were also staying in the marina.

We may have stayed in Kingston longer, but the Rideau was calling us.

What a surprise it was to bump into our Looper friends, Craig and Barb, on Blue Heron (above and below). They had just finished cruising the Rideau. They shared some helpful information with us about where to go etc. while on our cruise.

We had a fantastic meal at Casa, we were tired and hungry from walking around Kingston all day.

The post Kingston, Ontario, Marks the Start of Our Rideau Canal Cruise appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Clayton, New York is Home to the Antique Boat Museum

Clayton, New York, and the Thousand Islands area, on the Saint Lawerence River between New York State and Ontario Canada, are places we’ve always wanted to visit. We knew we’d have to cross the border again to dock on the U.S. side of the river. We would have to cross back again to Canada to resume our trip to Montreal. The border crossing felt seamless as we used the new mobile app from the Department of Homeland Security, called CBP Roam, to check into Clayton.

One highlight of visiting this small town is its maritime history.

Clayton is home to the Antique Boat Museum (ABM), therefore the main draw for us to visit. Clayton, an old shipbuilding community founded in 1833, is nestled among the Thousand Islands. We couldn’t wait to see some of those old beautiful wooden boats.

Upon leaving Canadian waters we checked into the U.S. via CBP Roam. We had to register by first filling out an online form and sending photos of our passports. Then I opened the CBP Roam app, answered a few questions, and several minutes later I received a notice approving us to enter back into the U.S. Next stop was to top off our fuel tank and empty our holding tank before docking.

The Saint Lawrence River begins at Lake Ontario and stretches 1,000 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. The Thousand Islands make up the first sixty miles of the waterway with Ontario Canada on the north side of the river and New York to the south. The international border is drawn through the middle of the St. Lawrence River, weaving around islands placing roughly half on the Canadian side and the other half on the U.S. side. In the late 1800s, people, from the northeast United States headed north to St. Lawrence to escape polluted, overcrowded cities.

Since we arrived later in the day, we took a quick tour of downtown Clayton. Then we walked back to the boat to do laundry, which had been piling up for some time during our trip down the Trent Severn Waterway.

Our main goal in visiting Clayton was to visit the Antique Boat Museum.

To get the most out of the visit we went early the second morning. The museum is considered the premier freshwater boating museum in North America, sits on 4.5 acres of waterfront property, and has over 300 boats, marine artifacts, and much more. This is all housed in five or more buildings, including a large in-water, covered mooring building, and a couple of restoration shops. If you love old boats and maritime history, we’d recommend a visit to the ABM. If you plan to go, check the months of operation, they are closed during the off-season.

First, we toured the La Duchesse, a 106′ houseboat. George Boldt built this magnificent summer residence in 1903.

Seeing all these relics of nautical history was fascinating! ABM has an incredible collection of wood boats.

The post Crossing Over the Saint Lawrence River to Visit Clayton, New York appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

We Looked Forward to our Stops in Campbellford and Frankford –

Cruising to Campbellford today, followed by Frankford, Ontario tomorrow. At this point on our Trent Severn journey, we were only three travel days, 18 locks, and 50 miles away from Trenton, Ontario, and the end of this amazing Canadian waterway. We departed Hastings for a leisurely 19-mile cruise to Campbellford for a quick overnight stay. After negotiating several locks we arrived at the roomy dock wall at Old Mill Park where we knew, from our earlier visit, we’d have electricity and be able to fill up our water tanks and take long hot showers in the Chamber of Commerce Boaters facility.

Campbellford settled in 1806 and is home to a 20-foot tall replica of the $2 Canadian toonie, the artist for the coin is from the area. We ventured off for a long walk with a visit to the World’s Finest Chocolate Factory Outlet Store. We visited this same store in 2006, while on our first Great Loop adventure. They made the chocolate goodies right next door to the gift shop. We found the outlet store is still there, but they now make the candy in Chicago. Progress?

Campbellford (above).

We are nearing the end of the Trent Severn Waterway.

We had planned not to stay long in Campbellford, having been here before, so we left early the next morning for another short travel day, only 17 miles, to Frankford. Frankford – Lock 6, south of Glen Ross, nearing the end of the Trent Severn. This small charming town, founded in the 1840s, was the headquarters for the Trent Severn Waterway lock project for this area. After tying up we noticed the boat docked behind us had a Great Loop burgee flying on the bow, so when we bumped into them later that afternoon, we settled onto a picnic table to share our “Looping” adventures.

When thoughts turned to get food into our tummies, the Lockmaster was kind enough to share local knowledge about a popular restaurant called Dimitris. We found the restaurant in downtown Frankford after a short walk across the bridge. The lock master’s recommendation was what we were looking for, good food, cold beer, and a pleasant small-town pub. Both the city wall in Campbellford and the lock wall in Frankford offered park-like settings. Frankford Park offers RV parking, tent camping, skateboard installation, and a beach.

We transited a series of “flight” locks today at Chutes Healy Falls. This one had three locking levels, one right after the other.

Some, not all, of the lock walls can be a bit slimy. This one we locked through today certainly was.

The blue line (above-left). This is where boats are ready to lock through position themselves.

We took this shot from the bridge while on our way into town for dinner at Dimitri’s.

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Rendezvous Day Three – Started Off on the Docks with a Big Pot of Coffee and the Best Butter Tarts we’ve ever had –

Baked fresh at Wilkes Bakery, in downtown Orillia, that morning. These tarts are so fresh and buttery,  if you eat one it’s hard to stop! After mingling on the docks with our “sweets,” we reconvened at the Royal Canadian Legion for John and Laurie Gray’s presentation on the Great Loop. The presentation was followed by lunch. There was a huge interest in this presentation by the attendees. Many would like to do the “Loop” on their tugs.

We spent a leisurely afternoon on the docks having a “boat crawl.” This is a voluntary event meant to open your boat for others to see what personal touches or enhancements you’ve made. Or conversely, attendees could visit boats, meet other owners and talk about their current or future boats.

The last official activity of the rendezvous day three was a blindfolded dinghy race

Always fun for those watching, but sometimes frustrating for those taking part. However, rewarding for participants and onlookers, but especially for the winners. We had four brave couples taking part, with each dinghy/paddle board having the blindfolded paddler taking instructions from their sighted partner. The goal was for the navigating team member to direct their blindfolded partner to a halfway point where they turned around to head to the finish line. Todd and Anita from Audrey Rose took home the $100 prize after competing on their paddle board.

We concluded the rendezvous on Sunday, with pizza delivered to us on the dock. Usually, attendance is light on the third day, as many owners had to leave for one reason or another. This created a more intimate gathering for those staying for all three nights.

For Lisa and I, the last day of the rendezvous closes one part of our Canadian adventure. Tomorrow morning we head out on the Trent Severn Waterway with the Rideau Canal and Montreal as our endpoint to our 2018 summer cruising.

Can’t tell you how many times the owners of these two boats, Trilogy and Kismet, have bumped into each other at random docks all over the country. Alabama, Florida, British Columbia, and Washington State are the places that come to mind. Now we can add Ontario to the list. Most of the time, we met John and Laurie Gray by circumstance, not even knowing we were in the same area. Ontario was a touch-and-go situation as the Grays were not sure they could make it to the rendezvous until the last few days, due to their cruise schedule.

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Yesterday Was Fun, But the Rendezvous Day Two Was Action Packed! –

The scheduled meals and presentations, of the rendezvous on day two, were easily accessible, located across the street from Port of Orillia, at the Royal Canadian Legion, which worked out well. The RCL folks were easy and delightful to work with, they made us feel like members. After breakfast Ranger Tugs Customer Service Rep Tim Bates conducted a Q & A for everyone, which continued on the docks with one-on-one sessions on attendees’ boats. Much appreciated by all. We left open a 3-hour window for “free time.” Attendees could explore downtown Orillia for shopping, eating, or walking the large, 20th Orillia Classic Car Show. One of the best I’ve ever attended, and I go to these every chance I get.

Two more boater education sessions filled the afternoon agenda

First up was a presentation, about the history of the Trent Severn Waterway, conducted by waterway Lockmaster Alec. We all learned a great deal about this Canadian treasure. Our own, Mark Renshaw (R29 owner of Irish Mist and an Orillia local), presented a talk about local boating. A big thanks to Tim, Alec, and Mark for their presentations today.

We concluded the day with a group photo and happy hour on the docks before dinner back at the RCL. The second day of the rendezvous was complete when Jodie Renshaw won a $250 Ranger Tugs parts certificate, during the Last Person Standing contest.

Tim Bates, Fluid Motion’s Customer Service Representative gave a Q&A presentation after breakfast.

Lisa and I spent our free time during the rendezvous on day two at the Orillia Car Show. There were some unusual cars on display. There were so many crisscrossing the streets of downtown Orillia, it was almost hard to see them all.

Did I ever tell you how much Lisa like the color red?

Alec (above) gave a very informative talk about the Trent Severn Waterway and the locking system.

Mark shared with us his local navigation knowledge, pointing out some hazards and what to watch out for, on the waterway.

Before we knew it… it was Happy Hour again. Dinner was at the RCL again, so we only met on the docks for drinks before we walked to shore for dinner.

Hendricks, (with his mom, Andrea-above) Tim’s son was a real trooper during the event. Easily entertained with a good disposition, we think he enjoyed being at the rendezvous.

Our Facebook group Ranger Tugettes (a private group for women Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats) met on the dock for a group photo. As with many of these rendezvous, there are always some Tugettes present.

Introducing the 2018 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous Attendees.

The last person standing was Jodi Smith (below-left), on Irish Mist. She won a $250 parts certificate.

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Lefroy Harbour Resorts is Also a Ranger Tug dealer –

Lefroy Harbour Resorts is located in Lefroy, Ontario, on Simcoe Lake. They have been a sponsor of our Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous’ since we started the first one in 2014. During the initial planning stages, last spring, Ryan Stovold offered to host a pre-rendezvous reception at Lefroy for the participants, Thursday evening, the night before our event started in Orillia. The friendly staff at Lefroy welcomed everyone as if we were all long-time friends. Just as when we arrived at Lefroy a few days ago to launch our boat, the owners and staff greeted everyone as if we were part of their friendly community. Great conversations developed, new friends were made and everyone went away well-fed.

Lisa and I were happy to reconnect with several Ranger Tug owners who have come to our other rendezvous in Little Current, Ontario, and Charlevoix, Michigan. Lefroy’s staff prepared a colorful BBQ and seafood boil with salads and plenty of cold drinks to quench our thirst on the extremely hot and humid day. The feeling Lisa and I had last night was this felt almost like our homeport of the past, Charlevoix, Michigan. It felt like home. A big thank you to everyone at Lefroy Harbour Resorts for the effort everyone put into last night’s festivities.

Ryan and Linda (above-left and below). Andrea and Tim Bates, Tim is a customer service representative for Fluid Motion (above-right).

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Linderman Creek Has Our Attention!

Linderman Creek is located in the northernmost islands of the Florida Keys. North of Key Largo Florida, not too far south of Boca Chita and Biscayne Bay. Card Sound is a grouping of smaller islands separating the Sound from the ocean. Linderman Creek is a very picturesque anchorage. Another chance to commune in silence with nature before we return to the big city activity of Miami and eventually our destination of Fort Lauderdale.

We were looking for a good, well-protected anchorage and had never anchored in this area before. What we found was an idyllic setting with winding channels surrounded by mangrove-covered islands. We couldn’t believe we were only 30 miles from Miami. After spending a month enjoying the laid-back lifestyle of the Keys, we found this stop a good way to readjust our attitudes before easing back into the reality of civilization.

At dusk one night, we lifted the drone to capture the amazing scenery from above. The person who mentioned Linderman Creek as a good anchorage said this is a good place to hole up when waiting to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. A good thing to know about our trip there next year. We plan to return to Linderman Creek again for a few nights’ stay!

As the day progressed the water calmed down to a glassy sheen. Fishermen cruised by and birds swooped by our boat to perch in the mangroves that surrounded Kismet.

This anchorage was too perfect not to send up the drone for an overall view of the area. Beautiful winding channels surrounded us. We will definitely stay here again.

The sunset was amazing and the moon rising above the mangroves was spectacular. I just happened to get out of bed later in the night to catch this amazing sight.

Goodnight Moon!

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Zooming down the Overseas Highway, through the town of Marathon, you might be at a loss to understand the attraction some people feel toward this small, laid-back, community. Marathon sits on a group of 13 islands in the mid to lower half of the Florida Keys. Many of you have probably seen a movie or TV show depicting life in the Keys as lethargic, perhaps even a little unrefined. Things move at a slower pace here, Folks don’t get wound up about things so much. Life is simpler in the Keys – especially in Marathon.

Marathon has an “Old Florida” appeal.

The area isn’t new and shiny, it’s weathered and worn, more like something out of the late 1950s. This was especially true this year as most of the Keys were still recovering from Hurricane Irma. We enjoy a lifestyle that fits the easy-going reputation and attitude of the Keys.

Kismet arrived at Blackfin Marina and Resort by way of the Everglades and Florida Bay. Our goal is to try to stay for a month if possible. Lisa and I have visited Marathon about seven times during our boating endeavors. We have enjoyed docking at many of the local marinas in the area. We also stayed on a mooring ball at boot key harbor once or twice. This is our third stay at Blackfin Marina. Our crew fits in well with the friendly year-round boaters who call Blackfin their home. Blackfin, like many of the marinas here, also has rooms to rent, which is nice for boaters, like us, with small boats. We can have guests come to visit us and just rent a room at the marina. Marathon has become a home base for us when we cruise and winter in the southernmost location of the United States.

I was talking with Barry, the property manager, one afternoon and I asked him how his day was going. He replied, “Well, the day started off kinda slow and it tapered off from there.” If you like beautiful sunsets, funky music, casual outdoor bars, and the company of easygoing and friendly people, Marathon could be for you too.

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2018 Great Lakes Area

Port of Orillia – Ontario, Canada on the Trent Severn Waterway
Dates:  August 17, 18 & 19th

Registration for this Rendezvous is Now Underway. Registration has been extended to May 31, 2018

• LINK TO REGISTRATION FORM •

Since 2014, the Great Lakes Area Rendezvous has moved to different areas on, or near, the Great Lakes. This way, we can explore different ports of call. Last year’s event was held on Round Lake in Charlevoix, Michigan. This year’s rendezvous will be held in Orillia, Ontario, on the beautiful Trent Severn Waterway, Canada. A must-see boating destination for any serious cruiser.

Check Out Last Year’s Event…

Ranger Tugs Cutwater Boats 2017 Charlevoix Rendezvous

These Fun Rendezvous Fill Up Fast!
Register before May 31, 2018

Come by water, if your homeport is in the area. If your tug is far away, load her up onto the trailer and tow it nearby. Aren’t trailerable boats wonderful? You won’t regret exploring the Trent Severn Waterway with a group from the event, or on your own, before or after the rendezvous. For example, the crew of Kismet is thinking about either launching in Alpena, Michigan, crossing Lake Huron to Georgian Bay, or entering the Trent Severn Waterway to Orillia. Or, we will tow straight to Orillia and splash her there.

This year we are working closely with Ryan Stovold, of Lefroy Harbour, Ontario’s Ranger Tugs dealer, and Fluid Motion. Ryan has attended and co-sponsored all our area rendezvous so far. There may be groups formed, during the rendezvous, to cruise the scenic Trent Severn Waterway before and after the rendezvous. Or do it solo, on your own schedule.

Don’t miss this opportunity to cruise a historic waterway. Sign up soon to grow social relationships with other tug owners from all over the United States and Canada. In our world, when it comes to boating activities, it’s more about making memories and sharing adventures, than almost anything else.

See you in Orillia!
Jim and Lisa Favors
M/V Kismet
Ranger Tug R29S

Orillia Ontario, Canada…

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Our long-range plan last year was to spend the winter in Florida this year. After hauling the new Kismet across the country last fall, we put her away in a storage building in Sidney, Ohio for a three-month winter’s nap. We like to be home with our family for the holidays and always leave northern Michigan after the new year. It would be tough, due to ice and snow conditions, to leave Traverse City with a 10.500-lb boat behind our truck. Ohio is a little safer bet. Even if it is in the throws of a storm, we’d be out of it within a day, driving south.

We stored our boat in this same building just last year. It is the perfect spot for us due to it being so close to Jim’s mom’s house, just off I-75.

After three days of successful trailering to Fort Myers, Florida, we launched Kismet at the downtown ramp. Then cruised less than a quarter-mile to her berth at Legacy Harbour Marina, our home for most of January. It was great to be back on the water again.

Legacy has been our home for parts of the winter for many of the past 10 years. It feels like home to us, knowing the staff and returning boating friends who return yearly or are permanent liveaboards. Downtown Fort Myers is only a short walk from the marina and there is always something festive going on. While we were there we attended Bike Night, a car show, an art show, a jazz fest, a Martin Luther King celebration, a weekly farmers market, and a Celtic Music Festival.

As we’d only been on the new Kismet for two months while out in Seattle, we still had many projects to address and stuff to assimilate once we unloaded the truck and provisioned the boat. Documentation numbers needed to be applied, Kismet signage designed, ordered, and installed, and there were also porthole and vent covers to make.

Many of Our Looper Friends Have Settled in the Fort Myers Area

One aspect of returning to the same place year after year is not to be ignored – there are many social gatherings to look forward to with our many friends in the area. A lot of boaters we did our Loops with have settled into either a liveaboard boat, condos, or homes in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area. I guess it is easy to see why it feels like a second home to us here.

We arrived in Fort Myers mid-afternoon but had to wait a few hours for the tide to rise so that the ramp would be deep enough to launch the boat.

The flu bug intervened to put a damper on the first week of our winter in Florida.

All snug in our slip, right across from Joe’s Crab Shack (above)

Had to share this shot I took of Lisa, this sort of sign is just an invitation for her to explore (above-right).
We found a vendor at the Farmer’s Market who made the very best souvlakis we’ve ever tasted (above-left).

And the chores begin…

Our good friends Cheryl and Rich, on Roam, visited us for a few nights at the marina.

IMPROMPTU LOOPER REUNION
When Patsy and Rick unexpectedly arrived at Legacy Harbour Marina we did what Loopers usually do… Happy Hour onboard Kismet!

We were able to meet up with our Looper friends Charlie and Linda (below), Brad and Patty, and Andy and Mary (above). Interestingly those three Looper couples were all docked together at Sea Spray Marina in the Abacos in 2008. My point is that when one makes a friend on the water, we tend to remain friends long-term.

Carol (above), a friend from home, came to the boat for an afternoon visit.

In between prepping Kismet for cruising, socializing, and attending downtown activities, we were able to get away from the marina to anchor out for a few hours. About once a week during our stay at Legacy Harbour Marina, we’d leave the marina mid-day and head across the Caloosahatchee River to our favorite local anchorage, which we’ve come to name… “Kismet Cove.” We are typically the only ones ever anchored there. Spending a whole month at a marina without venturing out is hard for us to do. This was our solution.

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We Decided to Secure the Oversize Load Permits Ourselves –

There are many things in life I enjoy, two of those things are saving money and learning. In this spirit, I forged ahead with the Oversize Load permit process one has to go through when traveling on highways with an oversized load. I looked forward to learning how it works, as well as saving money by doing it myself.  If you are trailering a load, that is wider than 8 1/2 feet, you have to get an oversize/wide load permit from every state and each Canadian Provence you’ll be traveling through. You can do this yourself or pay a company to obtain the permits. Each has advantages, obviously, if you do it yourself you’ll save money. In either case, you need to gather the same data to provide to each State/Province government agency. Your planned route, dates of transit, trailered measurements and weights, insurance information, state registration information, and more, depending on the government unit.

Physically there are a few things you’ll need
to display on the tow vehicle and trailer unit.

An oversize load” banner needs to be secured to the front of the truck and back of the boat as well as two red flags. The flags should be placed at the widest parts of each side of the boat. Oversize load permits vary in price with each state, we’ve paid between $10.00 to $60.00 for the 12 one-time permits we’ve purchased to date. One-time permits are for 5 to 15 days, depending on the State, are date specific and each state has its own rules regarding what day of the week, time of day, holiday, and weather dos and don’ts. Whether you obtain the permits yourself or purchase them through a permit company you’ll need to study, understand, and obey every state’s laws you’ll be traveling through.

If you have the time and like to save money, obtaining the permits on your own is worthwhile, once you get past the learning curve. If it’s not a consideration, because you don’t want or need the experience. Hiring an approved “Permit Company” will save you time, but keep in mind you’ll pay an upcharge for their service. Lastly, I’d point out one has the option to purchase annual permits. This may be beneficial for your home state or a state you’ll be transiting through on a regular basis. An important part of this exercise is to calculate which is better for your trailering plans. We did this for Ohio, where we knew we’d be traveling through 3 times within 12 months.

Thinking of trailering an oversize load? This is a good place to start…
U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration.

Finally, we relaxed and enjoyed the trip!

By the time we stored Kismet in Ohio for her three-month nap, we had experienced everything but snow during our six-day cross-country travel. There were no mishaps or problems at all trailering this bigger boat. With each passing day the initial apprehension, of trailering an oversize load, slipped away. Finally, we were able to relax and enjoy the road trip.

Sometimes you see some interesting stuff while driving cross-country.

Crossing the Continental Divide. Lots of bugs on our trip!

Due to traveling later in the season, we did not boater home at all during this trip. Also, we forgot to bring our small, portable, heater with us. So, we stayed at motels along the way. We always check with motels ahead of making reservations, to make sure they have appropriate parking for our oversize load. This one, in Wyoming, was perfect for our truck and trailer. In addition, we were able to walk, just down the hill, to a fantastic restaurant (below).

We stopped at all truck weigh stations on our route. Most were either closed or just waived us through. If they stopped us, we asked what the protocol was for their state. One time while stopped at a Rest Area, we were approached by a State Police officer, no problem, he just wanted to check our papers.

Our end route was Sidney, Ohio – where my mother lives. We would visit with her a few days after Kismet was stowed in her winter berth, a landscaper’s storage building. Then we would continue home, to Traverse City where we would be land-locked and catching up on time with family and house chores, until after the holidays.

We have stored the R27 at this same storage building previously, this time we had to park the boat outside and leave it there for a while, as another boat needed to go in before we stored Kismet. Since we planned to leave Ohio with the boat in January and the other boat would be stored all winter, we needed to go in last. Our brother-in-law, Steve, who lives in Sidney, kindly moved the boat into the shed a few weeks after we left her there. Thanks, Steve!

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Heading Back to Des Moines Where We Will Be Loading Kismet Onto its Trailer for the First Time.

Apprehension is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as “anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.” As our time in the Pacific Northwest was coming to an end, I was beginning to feel a little uneasy about trailering our new boat cross-country. The new Ranger Tug R29S is two feet longer, one and one-half feet wider, a little taller, and a couple of thousand pounds heavier than our previous R27. I’ve been known to worry a lot when faced with something new to me. Trailering an “oversize load” through city traffic, construction zones and steep grades in the mountains were not something to take lightly.

After loading Kismet onto the trailer in Des Moines, our plan was to tow her cross-country to Ohio, where my mother lives. We would visit with her a few days after Kismet was stowed in her berth, a landscaper’s storage building. Then we would continue home, to Traverse City where we would be land-locked and catching up on time with family and house chores, until after the holidays.

In preparation for trailering the boat, we knew it was important to have an equal distribution of weight on our boat. So we moved as much of the contents as we could off the boat and into the bed and back seat of the truck. During our final days of cruising in Puget Sound, as we approached the haul-out day, we made sure the fuel tank was about empty. Also, the water and holding tank were emptied just before the haul out. We completely winterized the boat’s engine and systems when the boat was out of the water and on the trailer. With Ivan Guzman’s help, a customer service rep from Ranger Tugs, we got the boat out of the water and prepared Kismet for her inaugural 2,500-mile cross-country trip.

The crew at CSR Marine were very helpful in making sure Kismet was hauled out of the water and placed on her trailer just right.

It was nice to have Ivan on the boat to take care of a few punch list items.

Much to our surprise, soon after we arrived at Des Moines Marina, we ran into Lenny and Louise, on their new Ranger Tug R31, Then Again. Lenny and Louise are from Portland, Oregon. Louise is also a fellow member of Ranger Tugettes, a Facebook group of women Ranger Tug and Cutwater Boat owners. We’ve bumped into this friendly couple several times during our trips to the Pacific Northwest. It was nice to see their friendly faces before heading home.

Finally, the boat sat on the trailer for the first time seemingly ready to go, but our work was not finished.

Unlike our previous Ranger Tug R27, we had to prepare the boat according to to permit regulations for transporting an oversize load on the highway. So, before we took off we attached an “oversize load” banner on the front of the truck and on the back of the boat (attached to the dinghy), along with two red flags at the widest point of the load. Those needed to be on both sides of the boat. Because of the boat’s ten-foot beam, we also had to get “Oversize Load” permits from each state we would be traveling through. A challenging job to say the least, but it was our first time, so hopefully, next time will be easier.

The next post will cover the procedure of securing permits for the nine states we traveled through during our trek east.

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Sucia Island Marina State Park –

As long-distance cruisers, we are routinely motivated by an appetite to explore the unknown. We push ourselves to seek out that which we have not yet seen, filling in with returns to some of our favorite finds. Sucia Island is one of those “return” places for us – this being our third visit to this horseshoe-shaped island refuge. We still remember the first time we set foot on this island paradise with its natural sandstone caves. The park includes 564 acres of parkland with over 77,000 feet of shoreline

Spanish explorers, circa 1781, called the island “Sucia” or “foul.” A nautical term describing navigational obstacles such as the rocks around the island.

Previously we’ve moored in Shallow Bay and another time anchored in Fox Cove, but this time we opted to tie Kismet up at the southern dock in Fossil Bay. Sucia Island is roughly two-and-a-half miles long and one-half mile wide. The island offers scenic hiking trails, primitive campsites, plenty of room for anchoring as well as being able to tie to a dock or catch a mooring ball. The reason we love visiting Sucia Island is probably for the same reason others do… the island’s natural beauty and that laid-back feeling you can get when afforded few creature comforts other than the ones you have on your boat. Which we have to admit is quite cushy on a Ranger Tug.

Sucia Island is ideal for boaters who like to get off their boats and stretch their legs.

After docking, with a full view of Fossil Bay from the cockpit of our boat, we set off for a long hike over to Echo Bay. The next day we took a trail up through the woods. It gave us some stunning views of the surrounding bays and open water that encompasses the island. From the bluffs, located on the western side of Fox Cove, you can look out into the southern reaches of the Strait of Georgia and the Canadian/USA water border. Sucia Island provided a backdrop to relax and enjoy nature, which we did for two glorious days and nights.

Staying on the dock gave us more of a social environment than we experienced when anchored or moored previously off the island. The dock is a popular spot, usually, spots are taken right away as soon as one is vacated. This would be a fun spot to come off-season if you require a more isolated experience. The boating season in the Pacific Northwest can really extend year-round if you want to take advantage of the mild winters and avoid crowds.

Kismet is docked in Fossil Bay (above).

Kismet is not the only Ranger Tugs here on Sucia Island we enjoyed having the crew from Puffin join us on the dock for a chat one afternoon. They were not far from us, on the other dock located in Fossil Bay.

Looking down at Fossil Bay and, in the distance, Fox Cove (above).

Fox Cove (above & below).

Echo Bay (above).

Shallow Bay (above).

Our view of Fossil Bay from the cockpit of Kismet (above).

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If you are Fluid Motion, the parent company of Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats, you hold the largest “Thank You Rendezvous” the boating community has ever seen! –

We attended our first Ranger Tugs Rendezvous in August of 2011, just after taking delivery of our 2012 Ranger R27. At that time it was organized by the owners and supported by the Factory. It was held in Bremerton Washington that year and attended by approximately 68 boats and over a hundred owners. It was a fun event, “Parrotville Party” was the theme that year, very similar to this year’s theme, “Cruise to Margaritaville.” These tuggers sure like their margaritas.

One has to ask why has this event gotten so big, five times the size of the one we attended in 2011. We finally decided it was not just one thing. But it does revolve around one central fact. Fluid Motion takes care of its customers and the yearly rendezvous is a way of continuing this effort. Making a big statement without even saying anything. They make great boats and take care of their customers. It’s that simple and I’m often perplexed by how other companies don’t understand this basic principle of business.

Fluid Motion doesn’t do it alone, but they are the driving force.

They enlist their suppliers and vendors to help support this large event. Garmin had a team of five in attendance to conduct educational seminars on GPS, Radar, and Autopilot as well as perform software updates on anyone’s Garmin equipment. They were also at the 2011 Rendezvous and every event in between. Volvo Penta, a sponsor since these boats have been powered by them, held a diesel Q&A seminar and had a D4 300 HP engine on display for demonstration purposes. Global Marine Insurance had five of their own in attendance and held two Q&A sessions and were sponsors. In all, there were 42 partners and sponsors for this very successful event, so it was definitely a group effort.

Attendees also had the opportunity to sign up to have one of the countless Fluid Motion techs on hand to visit boats to address any questions owners may have and/or perform any warranty work, all without charge. Good reason to attend one of these rendezvous. Right? The process sounds daunting when you think of how many boats were in attendance, but they have perfected a very well-organized and orderly system to make sure everyone is happy.

With a minimal sign-up fee, the theme in place, activities, and competitions well organized, and more food and beverages than one has the right to expect, the Factory dove in to provide another memorable event most of us attendees will not soon forget.

So, a big THANK YOU back to Fluid Motion from the crew of Kismet. We had a great time during the rendezvous and the Cruise to Margaritaville!

Dave Livingston (above middle), the creative mastermind behind Fluid Motion’s success. Accompanying him are Christie Messmer (left) and Ann Marrs (right).

John Livingston and Jeff Messmer (above-left) are the driving force behind Fluid Motion’s success. Communications Director, Sam Bisset (above-right) with his girlfriend, Ashley.

The Owners Group is Not the Only Thing Growing!

There is a huge sense of community among Fluid Motion’s factory personnel (currently, about 300) and Ranger Tug and Cutwater Boat owners as if we are all part of one big family. All or most of the Fluid Motion staff bring their families to the event. Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to, not only get to know the folks we’ve worked with on our boat, we’ve met their families, girlfriends, and wives and watched their families grow. At this year’s event, Ivan was not able to attend as he was with his wife, back on the mainland, as she gave birth. We hope to meet the new addition in the near future. We also got to meet Sam’s girlfriend Ashley and met Tim’s family during one of the dinners. Looks like a bright future for all.

The joint winners (above) of the Best “Cruise to Margaritaville” Costume Competition.

Ranger Tugettes, and a few others, gathered for a group photo (above and below, left).

The crew from Global Marine Insurance, Troy, Holly, and Ben (above).

These folks (above) had just shared with us their decision to buy an R29, after spending some time with us onboard Kismet.

We met Kathy and Craig (above) at our first rendezvous in 2011.

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Lots to do with Silas in Tacoma! –

By Thursday, knowing that Silas would be ready to burn up some pent-up energy, we headed to Dock Street Marina in Tacoma. Just cruising into the busy port gave Silas some maritime visual stimulation. He asked lots of questions about his surroundings at the busy marina – all day long.

After docking, we gathered up the accumulated garbage bags to dispose of and walked a short distance into town. One nice thing about Dock Street Marina is its close proximity to a fairly vibrant harbor town. We wanted to take Silas to Tacoma Children’s Museum, where he could hang out with kids his own age.

Silas had fun at the museum, which was more of an inside playground chock-full of activities.

We had all really worked up an appetite by that time, so next, we headed over to The Spaghetti Factory for a late lunch followed by ice cream. Perfect ending to a busy day in Tacoma.

If the above photo is any indication, I think we can safely say we were starting to wear him down.

The next day, on our way to Des Moines, Silas asked to see the engine. Because he likes to know how things work we told him we would when we got into port – the engine had time to cool down. Silas helped me rinse off the week’s worth of dirt and salt water. I had a brush with soapy water, and Silas used a rather large squirt gun. The boat was clean and both of us were completely drenched from clowning around.

Then we made cookies!

Later that afternoon, we decided it was time to show Silas the engine and review how it worked. I have to say for an almost 4-year-old, he sure has a grasp on the mechanics of what makes a boat move. We must have spent an hour or so going over all of the engine components and just as I’m ready to close the engine hatch Silas says….”No, wait! I have one more question!”

And this is why we think Silas is turning into an avid mariner, at the very least a mechanical genius.

He never worried, complained, or acted up the whole trip. Seemed like it was natural for him to live on a boat. It was bittersweet when our week came to an end and Silas had to go back to his parents in Portland. Bitter in that our week together had come to an end, but sweet because we will always have wonderful memories to look back on of our week-long boating adventure.

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams, young Silas! You were an excellent First Mate, honorary Captain, and Chief Cookie Monster. Can’t wait for our next boating adventure!

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We’ve Waited a Long Time to Have Silas Onboard
for a Weeklong Adventure! –

Monday afternoon, Lisa, Silas, and I waved goodbye from shore to Ross and Hadley and headed back to the boat. To see the wonderment in Silas’ eyes, as we departed Gig Harbor, brought back memories of when I was a child spending time on the water in a boat. From Gig Harbor we cruised through the Narrows into Hale Passage en route to Penrose Point State Park, off Carr Inlet. We have never cruised much in South Sound, except for one trip to Gig Harbor in 2011, when we took possession of our Ranger Tugs R27. The day was sunny warm and clear, the water very calm, so we decided to anchor out for our first night. What a delight to have Silas onboard with us.

We wondered what Silas would think about sleeping on the boat, which he has done many times, but always at a marina, never on the hook. We tried to involve him in as many of our boating chores and activities as possible during his week on the boat. We had Silas help as we lowered the anchor into the water.

A New Adventure for Us Too!

After getting settled at anchor and other boat chores, we had dinner followed by games and finally, when it got dark enough, we watched for fish by the blue light under the swim platform. We were all pooped from a big first day of experiences on the boat, so we ended the day all snuggled up in bed for a relaxing night’s sleep. Lisa and I looked at each other, thinking the same thing… On the hook, gently afloat with our Silas securely tucked in between us. A new adventure for us… a week-long boat trip with our grandson.

Silas had lots of energy – think he was a little disappointed in his grandparents though. After a full day of activities, we were pooped. But no nap or downtime for him today, no sir, too much to do on the boat.

After a little game of hide-and-seek, Silas found his surprise bag full of little puzzle boxes. All his favorite characters plus some we all thought Hadley might like.

Every morning Silas needed some quiet transition time with Papa. Lisa knows how he feels.

On Wednesday morning, we pulled anchor to motor a short distance to dock at Penrose Point Park’s dock to spend the day and night. We found out, that this is a wonderful place with many hiking trails, campsites, and a pebble-strewn beach close to the dock. Lot’s for a kid to explore.

Silas and I went out to walk the park, while Lisa made lunch, and to see how far we could skip stones out into the bay. He collected a bag full of seashells to take back to the boat. Silas was so excited when he showed Ana all the neat things he found on our nature walk.

Amazing how kids can keep themselves entertained with nothing other than nature and someone to share it with. We thought about this when a few days into the trip we realized that someone forgot to pack any toys, I mean NONE! The amazing thing was he never missed his toys, not even his favorites. He made do with what we had on the boat and never even mentioned the lack of toys. Of course, we did prepare for his trip by picking up some new activity-type games and puzzles ahead of time and we doled them out sporadically during the trip.

After our short excursion on the beach, Silas and I returned to the boat to have lunch and we made plans for an afternoon hike, through the woods, over to another beach. Later that evening, Silas and I had to row across the bay to the little marina to get ice cream.

We introduced Chutes and Ladders, a board game, to Silas, and he beat us, of course.

The next day we leisurely cruised a few miles away through Pitt Passage and into Filucy Bay for another day and night on the hook. By this time, Silas was so attuned to our routine that one would think he was born to be on the water. We had bought Silas some small-sized, but real, tools, as he is so inquisitive about how things work, we felt he would be interested in helping “Papa” do some work around the boat. I had a couple of fire extinguishers that needed to be mounted, so we spent some time figuring out where and how to mount them. As we finished our chores, Silas mirrored me by putting all of his new tools away.

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Our First Guest on Our New Ranger Tug, Kismet! –

It is often said that people are a “product of their environment.”

We had our grandson, Silas, on his first boat ride, in 2013, before he was a week old. Since that day, we’ve had a few boat rides with him, his parents, and recently minted sister, Hadley. As he is now almost four years old, we thought it was time to immerse him in our boating lifestyle. So we invited him to join us for – Silas’ first boating adventure – a week-long cruise in South Puget Sound, Washington. There was no hesitation in his reply. “When do we go?” he said. We chose South Sound for its close proximity to Portland, where Silas, his sister, and his parents live.

After our Ranger Tugs orientation in Des Moines Marina, we spent several days commissioning the boat with many shopping expeditions to stock and equip the boat. We left there Saturday mid-day to cruise to Gig Harbor to anchor out that night. On Sunday, our son, Ross, and Hadley delivered Silas to us in Gig Harbor. Silas’ mom Sarah could not come and we missed her terribly. They all spent one night on Kismet – our first guests on the new boat.

Hadley thought the new boat was a new type of playground

Before Ross and Hadley left the next day, we had a good time exploring Gig Harbor and getting a feel for the new and upgraded features on the boat. We took a short boat ride while Hadley explored every crevice and seemed to gravitate toward anything she could jump on, climb, swing off of, or tumble over. Interestingly enough Silas is so used to being around boats he was more than eager to start his first week-long boating adventure. Boating just seems to be in his DNA.

Hereditary, or is he a product of his environment?

Before everyone arrived we pulled up to the town dock and emptied the holding tank (above).

I think we couldn’t wait to get our hands on these two kids and hug them like crazy.

Silas is a natural at the wheel, we think he remembers the old boat and how much time he sat in Papa’s lap steering it on the Columbia River, in Portland, Oregon, the last time we were here. Silas’ first boating adventure started off with a cruise through the Narrows with the whole crew on board.

Hadley looked like she was auditioning for acrobatics or gymnastics as she has a lot of energy and is not afraid to climb anything. Consequently, she had a hard time calming down.

The first chore on the boat was to help Papa to put the front windshield cover on the front windows.

We walked around town, hoping Hadley would fall asleep, but not a chance. We got some dinner and visited a few stores. She was a live wire the whole time, which made for an interesting late night on the boat. Too many new things to explore and discover. She is probably wondering when her solo trip on the boat, with Papa and Ana, is scheduled.

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Packing for a Cross Country Trip is Like Preparing for a Marathon

Getting ready for a cross-country trip requires some mental gymnastics! We’ve only got one shot to pack up the truck before we head west. Better to be well-organized from the start. We knew it was going to be tight, especially since we were taking a few containers of personal items to our son, Ross, and his family, who live in Portland, OR.

We actually started the packing process back in April when we unloaded the contents, of our sold Ranger Tugs R27, from our truck into the garage. I sorted through it all and weeded out things we never used. Then I put most of the boat paraphernalia into containers that would eventually fit neatly in the bed of the truck. Once we depart home there’s no chance we’re turning around, unless it’s Lisa who’s not in the truck. We are fairly familiar with the drill and what we need to take, so it does get easier.

We started getting organized several weeks before the actual departure day.

I made a list, sorted through the old boat stuff again, and made a staging area on the floor of our garage. I then started ordering new items such as a 22 lb. Rocna anchor, BBQ grille, and an electric pigtail adaptor. These were items that sold with our R27. That was the fun part. About a week before the departure date I started packing, first by loading all the containers, that were ready to go since April, into the bed of the truck. Then I fit more items between the containers, or on top of containers, to ensure we used up every possible inch of available real estate.

Amazingly everything I had sitting on the garage floor fit in the bed of the truck.

This left the back seat of the truck for clothes and personal belongings, or stuff we needed to access on the road trip. As we were packing the truck we also kept an eye on what needed to be done to close down the house for a two-month adventure. This process sometimes feels like a well-choreographed marathon. Again we’ve had practice, as this is our second time packing up to drive west to pick up a new Ranger Tug. In 2011, we drove out to Seattle to get our first tug, an R27. All-in-all, we’ve made this cross-country, round trip, five times, if you count the time we drove out in the winter of 2007/08 to watch our Fathom 40 be built. Two of those trips were made by hauling the boat to and from the West Coast specifically to cruise Puget Sound and British Columbia.

We left Michigan early Sunday morning. Feels good to finally get on the road!

When not towing a boat, like now, we will cover about 500 miles per day, give or take a few. We anticipate the trip will take four straight days of driving from Michigan to Idaho, where we will visit friends for a couple of days, then one more day to Portland, OR, we’ll visit family for a few days before we meet up with the new Kismet. Although we usually take in some sights on the way – on previous trips we’ve visited  Glacier National Park, the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Teddy Roosevelt National Park, and a few side attractions. This trip is a straight shot for us, our focus is getting on that new boat as soon as possible.

By using a hook and a pole, I was able to quickly push the containers to the front of the bed of the truck.

Don’t think we forgot anything. The truck is filled to the gills.

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When does a boat become a boat?

My thoughts are… “when it is ready to float and cruise!” Based on the final assembly production photos we just received from the factory, it appears Kismet, a Ranger Tug R29S, is ready to become a boat.

The Ranger Tug R29S sports a larger head than our R27. There will also be more privacy with the head being positioned in the stateroom. The stateroom is a step up for us, having slept on a V-berth for the last six years on the R27. We are also loving the spacious under-bed storage area. There will be plenty of natural lighting and more elbow room in the galley for better maneuverability. We had our new Kismet built in the same Hero Red as our recently sold R27, as this is our favorite boat color. You just can’t beat the photo op of a bright red hull sitting on deep blue water. You might also notice the brows around the cabin roof are white now instead of matching the color of the hull, like on our last tug. This will make ongoing maintenance easier.

Roomier Cockpit with Built-in Seating

The cockpit on the R29S has some features we look forward to using, such as the electric engine cover hatch. It covers the quiet Volvo Penta D4 diesel engine. New for us on this boat will be a small cockpit refrigerator and fold-up side cockpit seats. No need to carry chairs with us for cockpit seating with those built-in ones. There is also a large, cabin cockpit-facing, window (see photo below) that opens completely out of the way thereby opening up the salon to more fresh air. On the inside of that window is a flip seat that serves both inside and outside seating.

You’ll notice we opted for a transom-mounted hard-bottom dinghy, the first hard-bottom dinghy we’ve had in all of our boating years.

We are only about a week away from actually getting onto our new Kismet for the first time. For this to happen, we first need to pack the truck up and make the 2500-mile cross-country road trip to Washington. A trip we are anxiously looking forward to getting underway.

You’ll notice we opted for a transom mounted hard bottom dinghy (above), the first hard-bottom dinghy we’ve had in all of our boating years.

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