Used Ranger Tug buying guide: what to check on an R-25 to R-31

Ranger Tugs packed a lot of cruising boat into a small package: a cabin, a galley, a head, thrusters and often a full electronics package, with the smaller models designed to be trailered. They've become popular with retirees and Great Loop cruisers who want something modern, easy to handle and easy to resell. They're built in Washington State.

These are some of the easiest cruising boats on the market for a couple to handle and enjoy. They're also not cheap, and they hold their value. If you're comparing a ten-year-old Ranger with a forty-year-old trawler at the same price, think hard about how much you enjoy engine rooms.

Ranger Tugs at a glance

Is a Ranger Tug right for you?

A good fit if you want a small, modern, well-equipped cruiser for two, you'd like to trailer the smaller models to new waters, and you value easy handling and resale.

Think twice if you need room for more than two or three aboard overnight, you're hoping for an old-trawler price, or you want a long-range passagemaker.

What to check

Engine type and hours

Earlier boats commonly had a single inboard diesel; newer ones may have outboards. Check the service records against the maker's schedule, and read the right engine guide: Yanmar diesels, Cummins or used outboards. Take an oil sample on a diesel, and run compression and gearcase checks on outboards.

The trailer, if included

Check the brakes, bearings and tires (look at the date codes), and make sure your vehicle can tow the total weight: boat, trailer, fuel, water and gear. Boats wider than about 8.5 feet usually need oversize permits to be towed on the road, so check the beam of the model you're considering and your state's rules.

Electronics and systems

These boats carry a lot of systems in small spaces: chartplotters, radar, autopilot, thrusters, inverter, refrigeration, heating. Test everything on the sea trial, and note the age of the electronics.

Hull repairs

Look for repairs from trailering, beaching or docking, especially along the keel and at the bow.

Questions to ask the seller

• Inboard diesel or outboard? How many hours, and who services it?
• Has she been trailered? How often, and with what tow vehicle?
• How old are the electronics and batteries?
• Any hull repairs?
• What's included: trailer, dinghy, electronics, spares?

Common questions

Can you trailer a Ranger Tug?

The smaller models were designed to be trailerable. Check the specific model's beam and weight, your vehicle's towing capacity, and whether your state requires an oversize permit.

Do Ranger Tugs hold their value?

Generally well, which keeps used prices high. Compare sold prices, not just asking prices, and pay for a boat with records.

Are Ranger Tugs good for the Great Loop?

Many Loopers use them for their easy handling and modest size. Check the model's air draft, range and comfort for long stretches before you commit.