Mr. Ed
Veteran Member
After many decades of lusting after various trawlers at the Annapolis Boat Shows, and quite a bit of research, I was able to narrow this choice down to a Ranger Tug R31-S. Since a good bit of my boating will be single or short handed, I wanted something reasonably agile (bow and stern thrusters) with low enough freeboard that I could tie up at fuel docks easily. Also wanted something big enough to live aboard for several weeks at a time. Air conditioning was an absolute necessity.
Given that most boats (at least in my price range) are compromises, this one made the most sense and checked off the most requirements. If money were no object, and I had some extra crew, a Nordhavn would have been a the top of my list. In fact, it was the brand that first started my lust after this genre of boat. Nordic Tugs also fueled the fire. All the others also had their strong points, too.
My first boating experiences were on my grandfather's 25' Pacemaker, back in the 1950s. Several decades of sailing followed that, with a decade or so of racing. FWIW, it would have been cheaper and a heck of a lot easier to buy the darn trophies.
Nevertheless, it was great fun and good exercise. A couple of sailboats and several small runabouts and a BRIG RIB were the precursors to the Ranger. Being retired, I have no real need (or desire) to get anywhere fast any more. How's that old saying go? Built for comfort, not for speed? That pretty much describes my intended boating future.
Anyway, I look forward to learning from your collective experience and hopefully contributing something of value as time passes. Fair winds and following seas, my friends.
Given that most boats (at least in my price range) are compromises, this one made the most sense and checked off the most requirements. If money were no object, and I had some extra crew, a Nordhavn would have been a the top of my list. In fact, it was the brand that first started my lust after this genre of boat. Nordic Tugs also fueled the fire. All the others also had their strong points, too.
My first boating experiences were on my grandfather's 25' Pacemaker, back in the 1950s. Several decades of sailing followed that, with a decade or so of racing. FWIW, it would have been cheaper and a heck of a lot easier to buy the darn trophies.
Anyway, I look forward to learning from your collective experience and hopefully contributing something of value as time passes. Fair winds and following seas, my friends.