Smart, space-efficient boats always catch my eye, and the new Ranger Tugs R-31 is a great example. This single-diesel, semidisplacement, trailerable trawler features a retractable flybridge and packs many systems typically found on much larger yachts into a compact, highly usable package.
“A lot of our customers may have had designs for a larger yacht but for whatever reason decided against it,” says Jeff Messmer, Ranger Tugs vice president of sales and marketing. “We can offer so much in a small package, kind of a less-is-more idea. We have all the systems you would find in a 40- to 50-foot yacht in a package that is very workable.”
I joined Messmer for a short sea trial at the Miami International Boat Show in February. The R-31 can be piloted from three locations: the flybridge, the pilothouse helm, and a cockpit station. For our run we drove from the raised flybridge, which retracts for bridge clearance and marina access—an important feature for owners who trailer their boat or visit low-overhead docks.
The single 300-hp Volvo Penta D4 diesel is the standard powerplant. With standard bow and stern thrusters, maneuvering in tight slips is easy, and the combination of a light hull and the D4 brought the R-31 up on plane with minimal bow rise. During our trial the boat held a 24-knot top speed with a fuel burn indicating about 15 gallons per hour, while at a 7-knot displacement pace the engine consumed approximately 1.5 gallons per hour, producing the fuel-efficiency numbers shown on the factory gauge.
Accommodations on the R-31 are thoughtfully arranged for liveaboard comfort and weekend cruising. Forward is a stateroom with an island berth and an en-suite head and shower. Midships there is a second stateroom with a berth and a day head to serve guests or family. The layout makes smart use of space while maintaining good headroom and privacy for two cabins.
The cockpit is versatile and social: a transom bench provides seating for gatherings, while port and starboard gunwale seats fold out and slide outboard so occupants are literally sitting over the water—an enjoyable feature when anchored or drifting. Access to the centerline engine is generous, with ample space all around for routine maintenance and inspections, which owners will appreciate over time.
Ranger Tugs outfits the R-31 with an extensive list of standard gear that supports cruising independence and onboard systems integration. Standard equipment includes both bow and stern thrusters, a windlass for anchoring, trim tabs for running attitude control, a 2,500-watt inverter to power AC loads off the battery bank, and a cockpit refrigerator for refreshments. The galley, located to starboard in the pilothouse, is fully capable and compact, with an electric oven, a refrigerator, and a two-burner cooktop—everything needed for comfortable provisioning and meal preparation on short cruises or extended trips.
One of the R-31’s appeals is how much capability is offered in a trailerable hull. Owners looking to downsize from a larger yacht, or those seeking the convenience of overland transport and easier marina handling, will find the R-31’s combination of systems, build quality, and sensible ergonomics compelling. The base price for this configuration with the 300-hp Volvo Penta D4 is listed at $279,937.
For owners and buyers focused on practical performance and economy, the R-31’s fuel consumption at both displacement and planing speeds provides useful real-world data for trip planning, and the generous tankage supports extended cruising without constant refueling. The boat’s semidisplacement hull type balances comfort at displacement speeds with the ability to plane for faster passages when desired.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 31 feet, 2 inches
BEAM: 10 feet
DRAFT: 2 feet, 4 inches
DISPLACEMENT: 10,500 pounds
HULL TYPE: semidisplacement
ENGINE: 300-hp Volvo Penta D4
SPEED: 24 knots top, 15 knots cruise
TANKAGE: 180 gallons fuel, 80 gallons water, 40 gallons waste
CONTACT: Ranger Tugs, Kent, Wash.,
PHONE: (253) 839-5213.
www.rangertugs.com
This article originally appeared in the May 2012 issue.
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