Ranger Tugs R-23 Preview
Some boats promise escape. The Ranger Tugs R-23 delivers it—one launch ramp at a time. At a 6,000-pound dry weight, the R-23 is just right to tow behind a capable pickup. She’s also comfortable once afloat, a “pocket yacht” that opens the door to adventures from spontaneous sunset cruises to weeklong explorations of distant coastlines and inland waterways.
Beneath the timeless tugboat lines lies a modern cruiser packed with thoughtful features, impressive fuel efficiency, and surprising interior volume. During my walkthrough of the Ranger Tugs R-23 with Kyle Smith of Boat Specialists in Ventura, California, I found out the boat is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife.
“She’s small enough to trailer at 28 feet, 5 inches long, with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam, and launch almost anywhere, yet comfortable for weekend cruising with the family,” Smith said. “She packs an incredible amount of capability into a very manageable package.”
The R-23 is constructed in Auburn, Washington, at the headquarters of Fluid Motion, the parent company of Cutwater Boats, Ranger Tugs, and Solara Boats. She’s the smallest in the nine-model Ranger Tugs line that goes up to the R-43, at 46 feet, 9 inches long.
Ranger Tugs R-23 Salon
The R-23 features a well-appointed salon that provides enough creature comforts to enhance your time on the water. Enter the salon from the cockpit to find a single-burner stove and a hot- and cold-water sink to starboard, and plenty of counter space. An Isotherm refrigerator is built into the galley console, as well as generous storage under the sink and stove.
A four-person dinette to port converts to a berth. In addition, a quarter berth is located under the dinette, with room for one person or for lots of additional storage. Backrests for the dinette swing fore and aft, allowing multiple seating combinations.
For example, the forward backrest doubles as the copilot’s backrest, while the aft backrest is part of a rear-facing seat that looks out over the cockpit. Four ceiling hatches are much appreciated in the salon for air flow and light.
Both air conditioning and heating are available options to keep you comfortable. An optional 190-watt solar panel on the roof charges an optional lithium iron phosphate battery bank to operate the house systems while an anchor. A Bluetooth stereo system keeps the music going.
Swim Platform
Aft of the transom, a swim platform wraps around the Yamaha F200 four-stroke outboard engine. Covered in faux teak nonskid, the Clear-Path platform doesn’t get hot and cleans up well.
On the starboard side of the swim platform is a telescoping ladder for reboarding after a dip in the water. Grab rails on the back of the transom help with stability.
Anglers can cast from the swim platform with ease, and fishing is further facilitated by rod holders built into the aft ends of the starboard and port gunwales.
Running Surface and Performance
The Ranger Tugs R-23 runs on a performance hull with a reverse chine that gives it stability at the dock and lift to get and stay on plane. Laminar flow interrupters on the bow help give the boat lift in turns, and Lenco trim tabs help you adjust the ride.
Powered by the F200 turning a three-blade propeller, the R-23 cruises at an optimum cruising speed of 26 mph and a top speed of 39 mph, according to company testing. The boat’s minimum planing speed is 17 mph, and you can back it down to 9 mph for comfortable displacement cruising.
At 26 mph, the R-23’s range is about 160 miles (while maintaining a prudent reserve in the 80-gallon fuel tank).
The Yamaha F200 is integrated into the helm with electronic steering and shifting. To help the captain during docking, Ranger includes a standard Lewmar bow thruster. Optional underwater lights give the water a glow at anchor. A stainless steel rubrail is well-positioned around the hull to protect the hullsides from bumps.
Aft Cockpit
Drop-down bench seating occupies the transom and port side of the cockpit, leaving it open when desired. A large telescoping awning covers more than half of the cockpit to keep you out of the sun and rain. Three big lockers under the cockpit deck swallow up gear such as fenders and lines.
As noted, a third sitting area is in the aft portside bulkhead, as the dinette backrest flips to make it a rear-facing seat.
Ranger Tugs R-23 Helm
The R-23’s helm station features a comfortable sit-down/standup bolster, a wood steering wheel, and nicely laid-out dash panel. A Garmin MFD/GPS chartplotter with sonar occupies the center of the dash, and accessory switches for all the equipment are on either side of the steering wheel. The Yamaha shifter and throttle assembly is to starboard, and the Lenco trim tab controls are aft of the shifter.
The VHF radio on the right side is within easy reach. Also on the right side is the Yamaha engine management display on the dash panel, along with the Lewmar bow thruster joystick control. Bluetooth entertainment controls are on the upper left corner of the dash. A physical compass occupies a flat section ahead of the helm.
To port of the captain is a two-person bench seat for the copilot; it shares a backrest with the dinette.
Head and V-Berth
In the V-berth, accessed by centerline steps, I found the pump-controlled head behind a set of folding doors to starboard. A freshwater sink with a shower function is to port along with two good-sized shelves for your stuff. Inside the head compartment is a grabrail, a toiletries shelf, and an opening rectangular window.
The V-berth performs double duty. In one configuration, it is a 6-foot, 6-inch bed with room for two people. In another, you take out the filler cushions and raise the pedestal table to convert it to a dining area with facing lounges.
On the V-berth, if you want your head toward the bow you have to lie down under a bulkhead at the front of the boat. Another way to recline would be with your head aft and your feet under the bow bulkhead. But two people can easily rest here either way.
Ranger Tugs R023 Forward Deck
Move to the forward deck on narrow walkways on either side of the cabin. A nonskid surface covers the deck and high side rails on the front deck add a feeling of safety. You can access the power windlass and two anchor lockers if needed.
Atop the hardtop are equipment mounting brackets for radar and other electronics and the solar panel.
Ranger Tugs R-23 Conclusions
The Ranger Tugs R-23 utilizes every square foot of space. That might be its greatest strength. Bright natural lighting, convertible sleeping spaces, thoughtful storage, a simple cockpit, and modern navigation create a cruiser that feels much larger underway than its R-23 model name suggests.
She can function as a day boat, weekend cruiser, or as a launch point for extended adventures. “Pocket cruiser” is far more than a marketing phrase. It is an accurate description of a versatile boat.
Specifications:
- LOA: 28 feet, 5 inches
- Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
- Draft: 30 inches (engine down)
- Dry weight: 6,000 pounds
- Fuel capacity: 80 gallons
- Water capacity: 22 gallons
- Maximum horsepower: 200
- Base price: $159,937 (w/Yamaha F200)
Ranger Tugs R-23 Models For Sale
Doug Thompson
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