Ranger Tugs R-25 Preview
The Ranger Tugs R-25 features classic seafaring aesthetics such as an upturned bow and tugboat shearline. Those features may draw admiring looks, but it’s the modern performance and safety that make this vessel a cruising favorite.
Built in the Pacific Northwest at the factory in Auburn, Washington, the home of parent company Fluid Motion, the Ranger Tugs R-25 belies its moniker as a “tug.” During my walkthrough of the R-25, courtesy of Dave Fabian of Boat Specialists in Ventura, California, I learned just how many modern conveniences can be packed into a boat that measures 28 feet, 5 inches long with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam.
The Ranger Tugs R-25 offers a comfortable V-berth for two, an en suite head, and a four-person dinette and galley. The dinette converts into another two-person berth, making it clear why Fabian says the R-25 is just right for overnighting and day boating. He quickly added that the R-25 isn’t all about sleeping and eating. It can run to more than 40 mph and handle serious chop and rough water on its semi-displacement bottom.
The R-25 is the second in the Ranger Tugs model line of nine that starts with the R-23 and culminates with the R-43. The R-25 is also easy to tow with a dry weight of 6,500 pounds, so you can explore waterways near and far.
Swim Platform
Boarding the R-25 from the starboard side, you step on an expansive 20-square-foot swim platform that wraps around both sides of the Yamaha F250 four-stroke outboard engine. Fabian called it the Clear-Path swim platform, and it is covered in non-skid Aqua Traction that looks and feels great.
The swim platform also features a lot of utility. First, a telescoping boarding ladder on the starboard side makes getting back into the boat easy. Because the swim platform extends so far out on either side of the engine, you’re going to feel safer in the water not getting anywhere near the three-blade propeller.
Second, the useable space on the swim platform is going to be a favorite for anglers looking to cast to just the right spot. Ranger built rod holders into the aft ends of the starboard and port gunwales. If you just want to hang out aft of the transom, sturdy U-shaped handrails are well positioned on either side.
Ranger Tugs R-25 Running Surface
The Ranger Tugs R-25 features a performance hull that runs fast in calm water but can handle some chop and rough seas.
Using a single Yamaha F250 outboard with a 25-inch shaft, the performance hull allows the boat to run to a top speed of more than 40 mph and maintain a fast cruise of 25 mph. A more economical cruise speed is at 17 mph, it runs well at a displacement speed of 7 mph. These numbers come from Yamaha testing.
The F250 is integrated into the helm with electronic steering and shifting, and a standard bow thruster helps with low-speed maneuvering. Underwater lights illuminate the sea for added flair.
Operators can adjust the boat’s running attitude with Lenco trim tabs. Alternatively, your dealer can install a Seakeeper Ride Vessel Attitude Control System (VACS) as an option.
Two Seakeeper Ride units are positioned in the same place as the trim tabs, and they reportedly eliminate 70 percent of the pitch and roll while underway. Rotary blades deploy at a rate of up to 300 mm per second, making 100 adjustments every second.
Aft Cockpit
The Ranger Tugs R-25 features an aft cockpit big enough for a group of four or five to mingle on, and again the nonskid Aqua Traction flooring feels good on the toes. A transom bench drops down to offer seating for two, along with another portside dropdown bench for two. A large awning covers about half of the cockpit, and three stowage/equipment compartments are hidden under the cockpit deck. The largest one for fenders is in the middle.
I also liked the third seating area. The aft portside bulkhead window opens, and the dinette seat transforms to create a rear-facing seat. This is the perfect place to watch the waves go by from just inside the salon.
Salon
Wood accents make the well-appointed salon stand out with a nautical flair. As you enter the salon from the cockpit, the Kenyon stovetop and hot- and cold-water sink are to starboard. An Isotherm refrigerator can handle a lot of drinks and food. You’ll also like the counter space for food prep.
To port is a four-person dinette that converts to a sleeping area. A quarter berth is located under the dinette, good for one more guest or for more storage. The well-designed backrests I mentioned can be positioned fore and aft to provide a variety of seating options. Four hatches in the ceiling allow lots of fresh air and natural light to the cabin, as do the large side windows.
Buyers can opt for air conditioning and heating to control the comfort inside the salon, which can be completely closed off. A rooftop solar panel helps keep the lithium-iron phosphate 600-amp house batteries charged while you are off the grid. A Bluetooth stereo system makes it simple to run your own entertainment.
Ranger Tugs R-25 Helm
The Ranger Tugs R-25 is built to take you just about anywhere. You can adjust the pilot’s seat into either a sit-down seat or standup bolster and wedge yourself in for confident steering in rough conditions.
A Yamaha shifter and throttle assembly is to starboard, and a1 2-inch Garmin multifunction display/chartplotter with sonar is on the dash in the center. Accessory switches for all of the equipment are located on either side of the steering wheel. There’s a physical compass on a flat section ahead of the helm.
Ranger placed the VHF radio on the right side of the dash within easy reach. Also on the right side of the dash is the Yamaha engine management display. The copilot sits to port on a two-person bench seat, which shares the backrest with the dinette.
Head and V-Berth
Stepping down into the V-berth, I found an enclosed head to starboard with a freshwater sink that converts to a shower. The toilet is in a good position near a well-placed grabrail, and a rectangular porthole opens to let in fresh air.
The V-berth functions as a bed and then converts to a table with facing lounges by taking out the filler cushions and installing the pedestal table. Two people can easily stretch out and a flat-screen TV is located on the port side where your feet would be.
Ranger Tugs R-25 Forward Deck
Passengers access the forward deck via narrow walkways on either side of the cabin. A nonskid surface covers the deck and high siderails help keep you safe. Access to the windlass is easy if you need to get to it. Looking aft reveals the equipment mounting brackets for the radar and other electronics on the roof, as well as the solar panel.
Ranger Tugs R-25 Conclusions
For cruising, dependability is paramount, and the Ranger Tugs R-25 is built for reliability. Its semi-displacement hull delivers a smooth, predictable ride. The 250 hp Yamaha outboard offers cruising speeds that allow owners to comfortably cover significant distances.
Safety is a strength. Secure handrails, high cockpit gunwales, and excellent visibility from the helm help captain and crew move safely while underway and at anchor.
The Ranger Tugs R-25 can handle rough seas, with its enclosed pilothouse, windshield wipers, and powerful defrosters. Whether you’re at anchor enjoying the salon, spacious cockpit, and huge swim platform, or bringing her back to port through nasty weather, the R-25 is a safe and enjoyable cruiser.
Ranger Tugs R-25 Specifications:
- LOA: 28 feet, 5 inches
- Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
- Draft: 34 inches (engine down)
- Dry weight: 6,500 pounds
- Fuel capacity: 99 gallons
- Water capacity: 34 gallons
- Maximum horsepower: 250
- Base price: $209,937 (w/Yamaha F250)
Ranger Tugs R-25 For Sale
Doug Thompson
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