As I write this blog, our dream of becoming owners of a Ranger Tugs R27 is only weeks away. The transition from being liveaboards for five years to joining the trailerable trawler world has taken 1.5 years so we’re very anxious and excited to be getting back on the water. As you can see from the photos, our new boat’s hull is fire engine red, a mighty fine-looking color I might add, one Lisa’s wanted for a long time.

We’ll begin our road trip west to take delivery of Kismet in late August, in Kent, Washington. We’re looking forward to writing about our new boating adventures on this blog once we take possession of our shiny new R27 however in the meantime we’ll post a few construction photos.

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So, long story short, we’re off on our own and FINALLY back on the water on a new Kismet. Gig Harbor, here we come.

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The big day finally arrived, the day we saw the results of our long-planned transition into becoming owners of a Ranger Tugs R27 trailerable trawler. We were so excited to see our new boat, that we arrived an hour earlier than scheduled to start our new boat orientation and sea trial with Andrew.

Andrew Custis, Ranger Tugs Customer Service Manager, is responsible for our new boat training and introduction. The better part of a day was spent on Lake Washington with Andrew going through the boat systems and answering our questions, the session finished after a sea trial – Andrew wanted to make sure we had a good grasp of the inner workings of our new boat. As if we were not impressed enough with our new boat, Andrew gave a top-notch owner’s orientation… the best we’ve ever had with a new product purchase. More fun tomorrow – we load and stock the boat.

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We saw the pictures, talked with the Ranger Tugs personnel, took tours at boat shows, and visited owner’s forums, however, there isn’t anything like meeting the folks that make it all happen. In our case, I’m referring to everyone at the Ranger Tugs assembly facility in Kent, Washington where our Ranger Tug R27 was built. After our orientation day, we spent the next day at the plant loading and provisioning our boat for our initial solo launch, at Port Defiance, later that day.

While at the Kent facility, Andrew (above) continued to educate us on the inner workings of our new boat. He also made sure we had plenty of water to drink (it was an extremely hot and humid day) and food because, in the excitement of organizing the boat, we lost track of time.

Once we felt we were somewhat organized we were able to take some time to tour the plant, take photos of the Ranger Tugs currently under construction, talk with the employees, and meet John Livingston (below-left, one of the owners). During the day, we also met with Linda, Ranger Tugs Office Manager, who handles all of the paperwork. Last, but not least, we finally met Jeff Messmer (below right), Ranger Tugs Marketing Manager, and our first contact with the company. We also got to meet Kenny (bottom photo-left) who works in the office.

The impression we took away from our short experience at the factory was that everyone seemed very dedicated to their jobs and I have to say, it shows in the quality of the end product. It feels terrific to be part of the Ranger Tug family. From left to right (below), Jeff, John, Andrew, and Kenny.

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After a few minor fixes and upgrades, we prepared to depart from the Ranger Tugs factory in Kent, WA. Kenny (below-left) helped us get on our way by checking tire pressure and helping with hitching the boat to our truck for the first time. We’ll be heading to Portland, Oregon today (a two-day trip for us) to visit our son, Ross.

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For thousands of years, we have gone to sea.
We have crafted vessels to carry us
and we have called them by name.
These ships will nurture
and care for us through perilous seas,
and so we affectionately call them “she.”
To them we toast, and ask to celebrate… KISMET.
  
To the Sailors of old… to KISMET
  
The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent.
We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on.
The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.

To the Sea…To the sailors of old… to the Sea!

Today we come to name this lady KISMET,
and send her to sea to be cared for,
and to care for the FAVORS family.
We ask the sailors of old
and the mood of God that is the sea
to accept KISMET as her name,
to help her through her passages,
and allow her to return with her crew safely.

To the sea…To the sailors before us… to KISMET.

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Boat Graphics are Finally Applied!

After designing, measuring, and visually laying out the boat graphics on the back of the boat, we were ready to order the vinyl from a sign company located just a block away from the marina. Jim has done this before so he was familiar with the process.

First, thoroughly clean the back of the boat (above).

Second, measure and block off the area, then tape the double-layer vinyl to the clean surface (below).

Third, drop the vinyl down and peel off the protective paper layer (above).

Four, tape it back up (above) and start burnishing the vinyl onto Gelcoat, through the protective cover layer.

Lastly, carefully peel the top protective layer off with the burnishing tool, a little detail work will make it perfect.

Voila! Kismet finally bears her name.

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UPDATE on the NEW KISMET!

Having sold our Ranger Tug R27 a few months ago, we ordered a Ranger Tug R29S, we’ll take delivery of our new Kismet in August 2017. So, we are spending the summer boatless! Lots to do at home while we prepare to travel west to Seattle, next month, to take possession.

This tug, with a sportier look and a Volvo Penta diesel engine, will take us to some exciting cruising destinations with a quieter, more stable ride.

Our new tug will be just a little bit bigger, but still trailerable. Yes, Kismet will look good again in that Hero Red hull. Looking forward to a little more room to accommodate our growing grandchildren. One of our new goals is to share our love of boating with them for many years to come.

Construction photos to come soon!

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Marrying the Hull of the New Kismet Ranger Tugs R29S

Having something built from scratch, such as a house, car, or in this case, a boat is usually best left to the professionals. As you’ll see from the following photos there is evidence that a tremendous amount of thought and mindful design goes into building a boat, before and during manufacturing. There is a coordinated effort, before the actual production starts, to have on hand all of the hardware, wiring, hoses, batteries, glass, lighting, engine, generator, electronics, solar panel, seating cushions, tanks, etc. This ensures production occurs smoothly and on time. If not planned properly, I could see how delays and backlogs in production could very easily happen. In this case, our new Kismet was complete almost before we knew it, that’s because of the efficiency of the professionals at Ranger Tugs… they know how to build boats and they build them well.

In the past, when we’ve ordered a boat to be built, we have always gotten photo’s taken of the whole process.

We do this to understand the boat’s innards. It makes it easier for me to know how things are assembled, especially in areas I cannot see. For instance, in case I want to run wiring for additional electronics. It’s important to know where things are located such as tanks, or really anything hidden beneath the fiberglass shell. Also, it’s helpful to know the easiest way to access something for maintenance, especially something difficult to get to. Besides, it is cool to understand how the parts come together to make this beautiful new boat.

The molding process is fascinating.

Once the hull, hull liner, and top side are popped from their molds, it takes about a week to lay these molds up, then actual construction starts in earnest. Then they get to work on cutting out openings for windows, doors, hatches, etc. Once each major mold piece is ready the liner is married into the hull and is built out with tanks, engine, generator, cabinets, and more. At the same time, the deck has had parts added to it in preparation to be married to the hull for final assembly. Although months go into parts ordering and coordination the actual production of a Ranger Tugs R29S takes only about one month.

The bright red hull is being lifted out of the mold (photo-top).

The liner of the hull is shown just before cables and wiring are added (photo-top)

You can start to see the transom take shape (photo above).

The engine is in place (photo above).

Kismet will be powered by a Volvo Penta D4 300 HP diesel inboard (photo below). We’re excited to be getting back out onto the water soon to experience our new boat with an engine that has more power than we had in our R27, with the added benefit of having a quieter ride. Can’t wait for this engine to take us to new boating destinations!

The New Kismet Ranger Tugs R29S taking shape at the Ranger Tugs factory located NE of Seattle, Washington.

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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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Even Experienced Boaters Need Help Sometimes! –

Because of our many years of boating experience (six of those years on a Ranger Tug), we didn’t feel we needed to have the “New Boat Delivery Experience” provided by Ranger Tugs when we took possession of our new Ranger Tug R29S – but, they insisted. Boy, were we wrong! Way wrong!

We have been avid boaters for almost all of our adult lives. In all the new boat purchases we’ve made we’ve never, ever, EVER had such a thorough and rewarding new delivery experience as we recently had when taking delivery of our new R29S. The only other experience that was close to comparing was when we took possession of our R27, in 2011. In six years, Ranger Tugs has only improved the process, amazingly not cutting back on it in any way. We think they get how important this is to the new owner’s buying and satisfaction quota meter. Pretty smart in the long run don’t you think, to educate new owners on their new boat’s systems and features. This process can only enhance their confidence in the factory support team and help them to feel they got their money’s worth. On the other end, think of all the time saved by educating in advance, rather than after the fact with panicked phone calls at all hours of the day and night because an owner was unfamiliar with the boat. We see it all the time with Fluid Motion, It’s just plain and simple, this company is successful because they work smart! They know what boaters want and need, they’ve even fostered a community atmosphere among owners to cinch the deal.

Andrew Signed Us Up for the Two-Day Orientation

Well in advance of our arrival, Andrew Custis, Ranger Tugs Customer Service Manager, made arrangements for our two-day training. The training is tailored to each boater based on their knowledge or lack of knowledge as it relates to the boat they are buying and their relative level of maritime skills. For those needing more instruction, more training is available by the experts at the factory. We’ve always felt that Fluid Motion’s mission is to get people out on the water to go boating. They have fashioned their support services with that premise in mind. If that boat is a Ranger Tug or Cutwater, even better.

Ranger Tugs R29S Kismet Orientation

Day One

Thirteen days after we left our home in Traverse City, Michigan, we arrived at Des Moines Marina and met Customer Service Representative, Tim Bates. Tim didn’t waste any time taking us out on the dock to meet our new, shiny red hulled, Ranger Tug R29S.

Under Tim’s friendly guidance, we immediately dove into day one
of our dock-side training.

What was amazing to us, as Tim reviewed the boat’s features and operational functions, was how much has changed since our last boat purchase, 6 years ago. Tim had designed a multiple-page guide and checklist to make sure every operational feature on the boat was covered, from the propane stove to the boat’s power management of shore, generator, solar, and inverter.

This checklist was new to us and we’re thinking Tim has brought some serious skills to Ranger Tugs from previous work experience. The items on the checklist are too numerous to number, but suffice it to say, we got a thorough education and understanding of our new boat. Over the last six years, we have always been wowed by the factory personnel. Tim is no exception, it was nice for us to have a chance to get to know another customer service representative, and Tim gets high marks for the introduction to our new tug.

These wonderful boaters (above left) just randomly gave us these flowers. They said that they wanted to help us celebrate taking possession of our new boat. Thank you so much, it was a wonderful surprise for us today!

Day Two

Kenny Marrs met us at the boat early in the morning of day two of our orientation. He would be covering the Volvo Penta’s engine operations, Garmin electronics, dinghy deployment and retrieval, and much more. We’ve known Kenny from the beginning of our Ranger Tugs association, a nicer young man than you will ever meet. We have seen Kenny in action, his dedication to his customers’ needs is intuitive and honest.

After our dockside training was complete Kenny went with us for a sea trial and our maiden voyage on the new Kismet. One of the first things we noticed was the stability of the ride. The Volvo Penta D4 300hp engine runs with authority but yet is relatively quiet. When I say the engine runs with authority I’m meaning the boat does what you want it to and when you want it done. Kenny reviewed the breaking-in procedure, impeller, filter, and oil maintenance. I could go on and on but there were way too many topics covered to review in a blog post.

This Volvo Penta D4 300hp engine is going to take us to some amazing places!

I think during the sea trial, it really hit home – this boat is amazing.

The two-day training of our new Ranger Tug R29S was the best new product delivery experience we’ve ever encountered. Thank you Ranger Tugs for being the professionals that you all are. Special thanks to Tim Bates and Kenny Marrs for sharing their knowledge and expertise.

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Kenny Marrs met us at the boat early in the morning of day two of our orientation. He would be covering the Volvo Penta D4-300 engine operations, Garmin electronics, dinghy deployment and retrieval, and much more. We’ve known Kenny from the beginning of our Ranger Tugs association, a nicer young man than you will ever meet. We have seen Kenny in action, his dedication to his customers’ needs is intuitive and honest. Thanks again, Kenny!

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Christening Kismet – Christening is a Ritual
Started by Seafarers Thousands of Years Ago –

We finally got the boat graphics installed on Kismet – time to christen her. Christening, or naming ceremonies, were meant to bring good luck to new vessels and those who sailed on them. The tradition of christening goes back to the early days of boating – thousands of years ago.

Viking ships were marked by the spilling of blood in early rituals. In the Middle Ages, religious shrines were placed on ships and a libation of wine was offered as the vessel hit the water. Wine became a substitute for the earlier practice of a blood sacrifice, consequently, for good luck and a safe voyage, wine was poured on the deck to appease King Neptune.

Ancient seafaring peoples, rimming the Mediterranean, launched their ships with rituals having religious overtones. These practices, varying in form as nations and cultures evolved through the centuries, have carried over to the present christening and launching ceremonies.

Some interesting christening facts…

The Titanic was never christened! The USS Arizona, sunk by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, was christened with water rather than wine or champagne. Both examples ended with bad luck, certainly nothing we’d ever want to come close to while cruising on Kismet.

7 Most Common Superstitions of Seafarers

So with all that that said, we’ve asked some of our boating friends to join us today to help christen the Lady, Kismet.

We have christened most of our boats.
Our last Ranger Tug was christened in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Today We Come to Name this Lady… Kismet

For thousands of years, we have gone to sea.
We have crafted vessels to carry us
and we have called them by name.
These ships will nurture
and care for us through perilous seas,
and so we affectionately call them “she.”
To them, we toast, and ask to celebrate… Kismet.

To the Cruisers of old… to Kismet

The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent.
We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on.
The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.

To the cruisers of old… to the Sea!

Today we come to name this lady Kismet,
and send her to sea to be cared for,
and to care for the FAVORS family.
We ask the cruisers of old
and the mood of God that is the sea
to accept Kismet as her name,
to help her through her passages,
and allow her to return with her crew safely.

To the cruisers before us… to Kismet.

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Looking for a Worthy Boat to Take On the Great Loop Adventure?

We received a comment on our YouTube Page, asking us why most people planning on doing the Great Loop Boat Trip look for and buy, “Vintage, 20-30-year-old planing hull, fly-bridge boats.” “Why not buy modern, semi-displacement trawlers, that portray a serious dedication to seamanship?” This comment caused me to ask myself the question of why we became Ranger Tug owners many years ago. If those boats had been on our radar, would we have gone with a newer, smaller boat to do the “Loop?”

Jim and I did the Great Loop boat trip almost twice, in two different boats. In our first “Loop,” (2005) we completed the Loop in the boat we had, a 42-ft. Silverton Convertible. Comfortable boat, perfect for cruising the Great Lakes. However, by the end of the trip, in 2006, we were already looking at trawlers for our second go at it. We settled on a new Fathom 40, a trawler made in the Pacific Northwest. It was a great boat for the Loop. After completing our 3/4 of a Loop in 2010 and living on a boat for five years, we were feeling restricted by owning a large boat. We craved the adventure that cruising new territory brings. There were so many areas we still wanted to explore, but most were on the other side of the country.

We saw our first-ever Ranger Tug at an America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA) Rendezvous, at Rogersville, Alabama, in 2007 (during our second Great Loop trip). After that, we sought out Ranger Tugs as we considered future cruising. We loved the design and the attention to detail Ranger Tugs provided. Both our tugs (a 2011 R27 and a 2018 R29) had/has all the amenities of our larger boats, except for the washer/dryer on the Fathom. While we would have kept the Fathom in Florida for winter cruising, it was frustrating because we also wanted to have her in the Great Lakes for summer cruising. We did not want to spend the time or money moving up and down the coast every year.

For us, the best cruising was yet to come. A trailerable trawler was the ultimate answer for us. The cost savings of being able to trailer her overland to save time and money, compared to taking her by water is enormous. When at home, we can park her on the trailer in our driveway, saving expensive dockage or storage costs. We also use her as a “Boaterhome” while on the road driving to a cruising destination. The cost savings are across the board with a smaller, trailerable boat.

Both our Ranger Tugs made cruising easy and fun.

Docking was easier, Locking through was as simple as could be (see the video below) and boat maintenance became a much quicker job, inside and out. One of the pluses we experienced quite often when anchoring, was that these boats have a shallow draft compared to some of the large boats. Seems we can always find a spot in an anchorage in the shallow area when the rest of the anchorage is full. We’ve even beached our boat in Lake Powell and on an island in Florida.

However, since our knowledge of boats has grown over the years, and now that we know a great deal more about Ranger Tugs, we would, without a doubt, have done the Loop in one of these boats. Since we’ve completed the Loop almost twice, we have focused our attention on places we want to cruise that are farther away from the Eastern United States. The best cruising in the USA and Canada is in the PNW, in our humble opinion. The tug made our transition from water-bound cruising to trailering a decision we have not looked back on.

Most Ranger Tugs are easily trailerable.

This should appeal to Loopers who would like to establish their own time frame for doing the Loop. Not everyone is retired or can take off work for a year or more to cruise the waterways. Loopers, who don’t want to wait for retirement, often opt for doing it in stages. With a trailer, you could return home, with the boat on the trailer, and return when you have more time off. We personally know Loopers who are owners of a Ranger Tug. They did not want to do the Gulf of Mexico crossing, from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs. Many boats get held up in Carabelle due to long wait periods for optimal weather conditions. So, our friends opted to trailer their boat from the Panhandle to Tarpon Springs. That was their comfort zone and it worked for them.

I agree with the commenter’s assessment (please go to our YouTube page to see the full comment and question). The only reason I can guess about this situation is that, like Jim and I, when we were newbies – people may just assume they need a big hunk of a boat to do the Loop. Many do the trip and soon after, turn around and sell the boat to another prospective Looper. There are boat brokers who specialize in selling previous Loop boats to prospective Loopers with pitches such as, “This boat is ‘Great Loop’ ready by previous owners.”

Maybe they get boat-buying advice from friends that have completed it with a big old boat. Some may experience trepidation in undertaking something unfamiliar to them, and a bigger boat may offer a perceived protective effect. Maybe people are just not accustomed to sharing such a small space with partners and too much togetherness. Or perhaps they just want to take a lot of stuff with them. I think newbies to boating, who are expecting to spend a year at sea, think bigger rather than smaller is the way to go. A roomier boat may have been a concession to get an unwilling partner to join in the adventure.

I believe the tide is turning. When we did both our Loops, trailerable boats were not the norm. More and more Ranger Tugs are trailering to the Eastern United States from all over the nation to experience the Great Loop Adventure. As I write this, we are in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve heard more boaters out here talking about trailering their boats out east to do the Loop than on any of our previous trips west.

Looking forward, I predict we’ll see a larger percentage of boats on the Loop will be newer, trailerable boats, it just makes sense. Ranger Tugs kinda has a jump on this. To those who have asked our advice on the subject – we say, without a doubt after racking up some extensive cruising experiences, Ranger Tugs are an excellent option for enjoying an experience of a lifetime – the Great Loop Adventure.

Take a look at our video (above) of the Trent Severn Waterway portion of the Great Loop.

Fluid Motion also has another line, Cutwater Boats (the boat on the right in the above photo). I didn’t write about Cutwaters here because all of our experience has been on Ranger Tug Boats. To find out more, check out their website.

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Thought our blog readers might be wondering what we have been up to as we await our brand new 2022 Ranger Tugs R25OB to be built. The factory scheduled delivery for the end of summer, in Des Moines, Washington. We are now in a holding pattern and it just feels weird not having a boat to hop on at a moment’s notice, especially as the warm weather hits northern Michigan. Jim and I have had one boat or another since 1995.

We’ve had a good plan in place since before we sold our Ranger Tug R29 last summer. First, we made a list of home improvements. We started it as we were enjoying our last days in Anacortes, Washington, completing the boat sale of our R29 with the new owner. Jim put the list into motion after arriving home from the Pacific Northwest, after a summer of cruising the San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, and South Sound. There were a lot of house projects that needed our attention when we got home. When you are out cruising for half of the year, those house projects build up. Jim’s list started with a bathroom renovation. Followed by a bedroom cabinet installation, a guest bedroom re-do, hardwood floor renovation, kitchen cabinet replacement, driveway asphalt addition, and lots of minor updates.

As we moved forward with the home improvement list and we needed to take a break from those projects, we made lists of items we needed for the new boat. This is always a fun task! Having lots of time to research products to deck out our new boat ahead of time will only make taking possession of the new boat easier. By now, we know what our boating needs are and, for the most part, what brands we like. However, with the now smaller R25, we had a few unique challenges to address.

Our last two boats were an R27 and then an R29. Yes, we have downsized again in choosing the new 2022 Ranger Tugs R25; we wanted to downsize to the smallest Ranger Tug we could, but keeping in mind what amenities we could do and not do without. The location of the head on the R23 was a deal-breaker for us. We plan to use this boat a lot; we live on our boats for months at a time, so we need a comfortable, private head. There will be less storage than the R29, but we think we can deal with that. I will have to learn to take fewer clothes and be more discerning about some items, such as kitchen utensils and work-related computer stuff. I already know I have packed too many of those items in the past.

Some items were easy to come up with. After all the boats we’ve owned, we know what anchor we’ll order, a Rocna to replace the one that comes with the boat (we will use the factory anchor for stern tying). We still have the BBQ grill we had on the R29, but we needed a rail mount to secure it to the boat. On our last boat, we just stored it below deck. Jim knows all the spare parts he will need to maintain the new boat and has been ordering those to put in his kit. He also ordered a brand new Tool Bag for all the tools he will need onboard to work on the boat.

When we sold our last Ranger Tug, there were a few items we just left on the boat for the new owner. We had to replace a couple of little things such as ratchet straps (above-left). They go over the cockpit and secure the back of the boat to the trailer when towing it cross-country. Jim also bought a brand new hose. This (above right) is the kind he likes.

Our primary concern was the smaller size of the black water (14 gals) and freshwater holding tanks (34 gals). As mentioned above, we live on the boat for months at a time and we like to anchor out a lot, so this was a major concern. The R29 had almost double the size of tanks as the R25. However, we both felt with some creative thinking, we could solve this problem. We have a couple of friends who have composting toilets with excellent reviews. Jim spent a lot of time investigating different models, watching YouTube videos to see how they work, and getting recommendations and a feel for how they would work with our cruising style.

In addition, we may use the unused, existing black water tank for additional freshwater storage. We spent the most time researching this item than the others, but we feel confident it will work best for us and we won’t have to pump out every week.

We parked all of our trailerable trawlers in our driveway during the summer months and that spot on our driveway is under a maple tree which sheds a lot of debris all summer long. So, Jim ordered a custom cover that will keep it clean when we are not using it. It will also enable us to store it outside in the winter and keep it protected from harsh elements. Also protecting the gel coat for longer life.

While Jim was working on his list, I worked on mine. My major concern was the galley not having a stove/oven. Also not a deal-breaker for me, as I feel we can adjust the way we cooked a little. I did not use the oven on the R27 and R29 very much, used it for storage instead. The R25 has only a one-burner electric unit. Therefore, Jim ordered the rail mount for the grill, I expect we will use the grill more on this boat. I also ordered a large, stainless steel, electric skillet. I like to cook in one large pot on the boat, and I don’t think the built-in unit will satisfy my cooking style, but the additional skillet should work out well.

We will also pack a slow cooker. On our last boat, besides the inside refrigerator, there was a small refrigerator in the cockpit. We used it for drinks and an overflow of food items. While working on our lists, we realized we would miss that unit, so we ordered a plug-in AC/DC cooler/freezer to store below the deck.

The sheets for the bed are always a puzzle!

I am trying to figure out what sheets to fit the cushions in the V-berth. Last time, (on the R29) I cut up a mattress pad into sections to fit each cushion on the bed. Then I bought jersey-style sheets (think stretchy, like a tee-shirt) to fit each cushion. This scenario enabled us to lift each cushion when needed. It worked out well on that boat, and it may be an option on this boat. However, I may have a problem making that work as Jim would like to get a dense foam mattress pad for more comfortable sleeping. He has a good point. I am still figuring this out. My goal is to have the sheets, mattress pad, and foam in hand before we leave home.

We have ordered, received, or will order soon most of the items on our list. One item we have not quite figured out yet is what to do about the dinghy. We don’t want to mount one to the back of the boat. Maybe we can tow it when needed. Jim is still researching different options… smaller dinghy, stored below and blown up when needed, or a lightweight one that would store on top of the boat. We don’t always need a dinghy, can’t tell you how many times we’ve taken the dinghy and never used it.

However, we know there are times we’ll need one. In addition, we are looking at a small electric engine for the dinghy. The larger ones we’ve owned were very clunky and hard to move on and off the boat. It took two of us to negotiate the transfer, and I always worried about it slipping into the water during the process. We have been eyeing those lightweight electric motors for some time now. Looks like the right time to try one out.

This is what the crew of Kismet has been up to over the winter. Can’t wait to get back out onto the water. I know all our pre-planning will pay off big time when we arrive in Des Moines, WA, to take possession of our new 2022 Ranger Tugs R25OB. We will have everything ordered, shipped, and stowed in the back of our pickup truck, ready to make the trek west across the USA to the Pacific Northwest. One of our favorite cruising destinations. Beyond that, we look forward to joining many of our fellow TugNuts and Tugettes at the 2022 Ranger Tugs Rendezvous in Roche Harbor, Washington. If it happens this year it will be the weekend after Labor Day. Fingers crossed!

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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.

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Our Truck Was Packed to the Gills For The Road Trip West.

While the factory was building our new Ranger Tugs R25, Jim and I started packing the truck. Quite a feat, considering the circumstances. We sold our Ranger Tugs R29 about a year ago, in Anacortes, Washington. We packed up our boating stuff, all but a few things that were specific to the boat itself, or that we had promised the new owner we would include in the sale. That meant we packed up all our clothes, most of the linens, all the galley pots and pans, dishes, utensils, spice jars, quite a large assortment of personal items, and a small grill. We work a lot while we are boating, so we have work equipment; computers, photography equipment, printer, and office supplies. We packed up all Jim’s tools, air compressor, oil changer, inflatable life jackets, cleaning equipment, and buffer. Our truck was quite full as we made the five-day trek back to Michigan. We had to store everything in our basement until we could take delivery of our new Ranger Tugs R25. We are in Des Moines, Washington, doing just that right now.

The real chore of preparing for our trip west began last spring as we anticipated all the items we would need for the new boat. We discussed each item before ordering and buying. When they arrived, Jim put them into the “boat pile” in a corner of our basement. Some of the bigger items we added were a composting head (to replace the electric macerator head, an electric cooler, an Instant Pot, and an electric pan. Having these items on-hand before we arrived at the boat made it so much easier to settle in once we took possession of the new “Kismet.”

The Process…

Three weeks prior to our road trip to Seattle, Washington, the packing began. Jim, an organizer, made the process go smoothly. He went through all his tools and equipment and set them out in the garage. He then set all the kitchen gear on two tables in the basement and had me go through them. We are downsizing again, so I had to narrow things down and try to only include only the essentials. I tried to leave anything I had used little on the boat before.

About two weeks before our trip, I started putting all my photography paraphernalia, office equipment and supplies, linens, and a few more kitchen items in a corner of our dining room. Later that week, I started another pile in our bedroom. More bags would need to be packed at the very last minute. They contained items we would need to access during our road trip.

One week before we left, I started packing clothes, cleaning the house, wrapping up appointments, and cramming in a few social activities with family and friends. It’s a process, that’s for sure. We have done this so many times, I guess we have it down. Packing is a much different experience if you already have the boat loaded with most of the everyday stuff needed to live on a boat. In that scenario, we only have to pack our clothes, a few personal items, things we always took off the boat, such as our work equipment and clothes, because we needed them in the house. Beginning and ending a trip was so much easier when you have an existing boat.

I usually take cleaning supplies and food items, canned and dry goods we are using at home. However, we left those items behind this time. We would just buy them when we stock the boat in Washington.

Two or three days before we left home, Jim methodically packed the truck.

Remember the famous story that asks: Is the jar full?

A philosophy professor once stood up before his class with a large empty mayonnaise jar. He filled the jar to the top with large rocks and asked his students if the jar was full. The students said that yes, the jar was indeed full. He then added small pebbles to the jar and gave the jar a bit of a shake so the pebbles could disperse themselves among the larger rocks. Then he asked again, “Is the jar full now?” The students agreed the jar was full, so the professor then poured sand into the jar to fill up any remaining space. The students agreed again that the jar was now full. He may have also added water before using the demonstration to form an analogy for managing a meaningful life. I give this example here to give you an idea of how fully packed our truck was when we left home for the six-day road trip to Des Moines, Washington.

Here’s an idea of what our truck looked like. In the rush to pack and leave home, we forgot to take pics at the beginning of the trip, so these photos show after we already began to unpack. So try to imagine all those nooks and crannies filled with little items.

Jim packed our truck just like the story about the jar.

Big items first, some of the purchased items are still in their original boxes to protect them from vibration. When the initial layer (rocks) was packed, in went the smaller items (pebbles), stuffed in between the larger objects. He came in and said, “The truck is full!” I laughed, I know his game.

I continued with my last-minute packing and cleaning. He would go through my pile in the dining room and pick things out that could fit between the “rocks and pebbles.” Each time he came back into the house, he said he didn’t know how we would get all that stuff into the truck. He saved the cab of the truck for anything that we didn’t want to freeze or items that we needed to access during our road trip. We used the electric cooler for jugs of cold water and snacks we would need for the trip.

The whole time he was packing, I was too busy to even look at his progress. I just knew he would get it all in. He’s that good. He added the final pile (sand) hours before we left, followed by the remaining miscellaneous things (water) which were haphazardly thrown into the front of the cab, literally around my feet.

We did it! What a great feeling it was to say goodbye to our home and head out on another boating adventure.

Heading south to Ohio, we visited Jim’s mom for a few days and left from there the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. My concerns for later November weather difficulties and holiday traffic never materialized. We had the best weather the whole way, with the worst being the last few hours traveling through the Snoqualmie Pass. It was raining profusely. The only accident we saw the whole trip was in the pass, just before Seattle. A 7-car pileup in the eastbound lane of I-90. Until the pass, we never had more than a sprinkle of rain and did not see any snow, except far-off in the mountains. Even though it was a Sunday after the holiday weekend, traffic was minimal.

We didn’t make many stops, but we drove by the Corn Palace, in Mitchell, South Dakota, and we spent about an hour visiting the Crazy Horse Monument in Black Hills, South Dakota.

We were lucky to find a place open, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to grab a yummy Thanksgiving dinner.

Jim made one very interesting hotel reservation ahead of time, it was in Livingston, Montana. The historic Murray Hotel is unique in how they have decorated its rooms, each with a different theme. Everything in our room was decor and memorabilia from the fifties.

We arrived in Des Moines late afternoon, seven days after we left home. First stop, down to the marina, to visit the new Kismet, of course.

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Ranger Tugs Offers A Two-Day Factory Delivery Experience

We arrived in Des Moines, Washington for our Factory Delivery Experience, (formally known as Factory Orientation) late Sunday, but it was still light out. Jim had booked a room at a motel just up from the marina. First things first. Before we even checked into the motel, down to the boat to get our first look at our new Ranger Tugs R25. Because of Jim’s forward planning, the new Kismet already had her decal on the bow and stern of the boat. We had her hull ceramic coated, and the decal had to go on first, before the coating. We wanted it all to be completed before we arrived and took possession. (More on the ceramic coating coming in a post soon.)

Monday morning, we up early and down at the marina to meet Ivan Guzman for our first day of Ranger Tug’s two-day Factory Delivery Experience.
Ivan would go over the overall operation of the boat. The next day, Tim Bates would spend the day with us. He would provide a more in-depth review of electronics and engine maintenance. As Ivan went through a list of systems with us, we wondered how many other boat builders provide this kind of owner education. The factory helped us to get out onto the water faster and safer, because of the knowledge we gained during the review.

We have owned three Ranger Tugs in the last 11 years (an R27, R29, and now the R25), you would think we would pass on the orientation of our new boat’s systems. Not true! Technology changes so fast. There is always something new to learn and we welcome an effort to get a quick start and a chance to ask questions, etc. Over the years, we have bought five new boats during our marriage. Ranger Tugs is the only builder to provide us with any help in this area. We have never had an outboard engine before, so we had lots of questions about that. The review of systems provides an opportunity for new owners to ask questions about areas of concern they have.

During our last two Ranger Tugs orientations, I tried to film most of the important instructions.
There is a lot to absorb during these reviews. By the end of the two days, our heads are about to explode with helpful information. The videos will serve us as we need to go back to review what they said during a review and what we forgot or wanted to double-check before using something. It’s just another way that Ranger Tugs goes far beyond the sale of their boats to help their owners get up to speed and get out on the water with confidence.

This time out, we are going from an inboard engine to an outboard. Because of the Lithium Iron house batteries, we opted not to get a generator on this boat. We anchor out a lot and have always had a generator. It will be interesting to see a real-time comparison. (We will cover more on these batteries in a future post after we’ve used them for a while). We got a careful review by both Ivan and Tim on docking with the outboard engine. The new Kismet still has a bow thruster. Now we will use the engine itself instead of a stern thruster to aid in docking our 2022 R25.

I have put together a little video. This will help to give you an idea of how professional and informative our Factory Delivery Experience was. Enjoy!

The post Factory Delivery Experience On Our New Ranger Tugs R25 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

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Kismet Gets a Shining With A Ceramic Coating

If you own a boat, you understand there is a great deal of time, effort, and ongoing expense associated with keeping a boat’s finish like new. Even when washed and waxed regularly, gel coat finishes need constant attention, with detailing needing to be done at least once a year. After a few years, oxidation will creep in. The need for compounding the finish comes into play, requiring more time, effort, and expense. A good-looking boat takes effort!

With the above statement in mind, I wanted to look into the pros and cons of ceramic coating and how it might benefit, or affect, our new Ranger Tugs R25OB over the long term. As in our prior two Ranger Tugs, this one also has a bright red hull. Dark colors are notorious for becoming oxidized after several years and therefore require more and more attention. During my research on ceramic coatings, I found out that a boat will have protection against salt, hard water spotting, bird droppings, and those nasty UV rays when properly prepared and coated. This will make the gel coat have a deeper gloss and mirror-like finish.

This new technology comes at a cost.
I found out it is more expensive to prepare and install than traditional wax detailing. In the end, I thought it was worth the price. We wouldn’t have to detail our new boat once a year. Once the ceramic coating is applied properly, the boat should maintain its shiny glow as long as I wash the boat regularly and maintain the finish by applying a Hydroserum spray every 6 to 12 months.

I wanted to have our new boat coated before we took delivery, so my research led me to Premier Ceramic Coating, outside of Seattle, owned by Kevin and Carol, fellow Ranger Tug owners. I found out this company has quite a reputation for being thorough. That was clear in my discussion with him prior to, during, and after he completed the job. Kevin explained, “How the hull is prepared is the key determining factor for the best-finished product.” In our case, because our boat was new, there wasn’t any oxidation to be addressed. All of the boat’s graphics were installed ahead of the ceramic coating.

Kevin explained, “Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied by hand to the exterior of a boat. It chemically bonds with the boat’s gel coat and, when cured, it transforms into a rigid, super slick shield. Ceramic coating is easiest to understand if you think of it as a second layer of skin that is transparent.”

Kevin also stated, “Surface prep and cleaning is critical to how long the ceramic will last. So, we have developed a process that we believe is unmatched in the industry for prepping the boat for coating.”

The process after the surface prep and cleaning:

• Clean & decontaminate the entire exterior of the boat.
• Buff & polish all exterior surfaces before coating.
• Apply the first coat of ceramic, then hand polish off the solvent flash with a microfiber towel, then wipe a second time with a fresh towel.
• A second coat is applied and finished the same way, a few hours later.

Kevin’s philosophy is, “We believe in ‘detail!’ Every surface on the exterior above the waterline is coated. The gel coat, windows, stainless, and even the radar dome are coated. Keep in mind that glass and stainless steel are not porous enough to hold any material for very long. So it will need regular upkeep with the Hydroserum.

Our boat took approximately 48 hours.

To find out more visit: premierceramiccoating.com

Or call Kevin direct:  360-471-5882

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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.

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