ranger 20 sailboat reviews

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Sail to Summit

This blog is about my two main passions in life, sailing and climbing and a few random adventures in between. My sailing stories are based on my interest in pocket cruisers, pocket cruising, and more specifically my kent ranger 20 sailboat. My climbing posts may be about anything from a day at the crag to a multiday alpine adventure. My main motivation for writing this blog is so that i can read it when im old! Thanks for checking in!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Kent ranger 20 sailboat cruise/camp.

8 comments:

Thank you for sharing. My dad bought a Ranger in 1974. Before that he built a wooden wayfarer, (a 16' foot sailboat). He lived in Kent, WA. We did a lot of racing with the wayfarer, and he continued to race when he bought the Ranger 20. In fact he won the Ranger National Championships 4 times I believe. We also cruised a lot. We cruised Barkley Sound (Vancouver, B.C.), and Desolation Sound, off the east side of Vancouver next to inland B.C. We did this a few times and it was incredible. We basically lived off the land, salmon, ling cod, yellow eye rockfish, and other types of bottom fish, as well as clams. We also cruised the San Juans. But we preferred Desolation Sound. There were less people and it was more adventuresome ( stronger currents, etc) Every night we would anchor, set a shoreline and bow anchor. We had a little dinghy so we could explore all the shoreline, clam dig, etc. It was a great time. Memories I will never forget. Three of us slept on the boat every night. I would strongly recomend this to anyone with a Ranger 20'. Just be sure to have a marine chart that is detailed. There are some places where you can only pass on slack tides, the currents rip. You trailer up to Lund, B.C. Past Vancouver and you have to take a couple of ferries. You put in at Lund and then go where you want. I would not recommend going to Campbell River Channel. The currents are very strong. I would say you would need at least a 10 hp motor to be safe. We had a british seagul, I think only a couple of horse power, and we could have used more. There were times when we were barely making headway against some of the tides, and currents. Feel free to contact me if you wish. Greg Wills. Email, [email protected]

Hi, Great posts. Where were you able to find a new dodger?

any chance anyone has a mast for a Ranger 20? I would love to keep this sweet boat in the sailing world instead of scrapping the boat! so sad... everything else is fine but a broken mast. 801-860-7658 Mark

Thankyou so much I realy might want one Please post more details of your pocket cruising Thanks for sharing the goodstuf..

go ahead and call me at 801-860-7658. Mark

I really enjoyed your blog. It convinced me that a Ranger 20 is exactly what I need. So I bought one! I also found a Yahoo group for the boats. It has lots of good information about these wondeful pocket cruisers. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/KentRanger20Boats/info

Hello, we have a Ranger Sailboat Owners facebook group: Search "Kent Ranger Sailboat Owners" If you still have the boat, hope to see you there!

The Ranger 20 is a 20.0ft fractional sloop designed by Raymond Richards and built in fiberglass since 1972.

600 units have been built..

The Ranger 20 is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

Ranger 20 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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• Sailboat Guide

1973 Kent Ranger Ranger 20

• Description

Seller's Description

Legendary sailboat originally built 1973 in Kent, WA, fully restored in 2010 and well maintained since then. The Kent Ranger 20 is a popular boat and has a very proud fanbase. Only 600 were built over a span of 13 years. This is #153.

Ideal for inner bay family day sails like the SF Bay area. Its got a roomy cockpit with plenty of space for 4. It features an innovative fixed cuddy (cabin) with inbuilt storage bin seats. Perfect for wary family members to enjoy some wind protection while still being in on the action. Theres a cushioned seating/sleeping area and even a built in picnic table to lift up.

Shes very balanced on the helm, responsive, yet forgiving and I think its a fantastic trainer for sailing beginners. Completely dry in 15 knots nose wind and she can be sailed single handedly.

Hull and top is of outstanding quality, solid fiberglass-reinforced plastic throughout, completely repainted, new cushions plus new rigging - all in 2010. Shes got the original Evinrude 6 2-stroke engine which still works like charm. New bottom paint late 2018 by KKMI.

She comes with a newer main sail #40, original jib, genoa, a-sail (asymmetric spinnaker), anchor, custom covers for all teak details, plus other accessories. Connect a standard car battery and youll have cabin/anchor/runnings lights, speedometer, depth sounder and even a bilge pump.

Showings available from June 10th.

If you live in the North Bay: Shes currently berthed (docked) at a very attractive $250/month in Strawberry (near Tiburon) at Richardson Bay. It’s a fantastic sailing ground with predictable winds and top-notch views on SF, Alcatraz and Golden Gate. Lease transfer is available if you want to keep her at this location.

If you want to haul her away: The Kent Ranger 20 is a mid-size trailer sailer. Its easy to set-up/rig especially because the mast raises aft (from the front towards the back), so shrouds and forestay can be left attached. No trailer is provided but youll find many trailer models which will fit.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Later built by Intermountain Design of Utah, USA.

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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• By Richard Smith
• Updated: January 24, 2014

One of many designs that Gary Mull made for Ranger Yachts, the Ranger 26, conceived to be the ideal compromise between a safe and comfortable on-soundings family cruiser and a competitive racer, reflects much of the art and technology that Mull blended so well in the many boats he designed during his all-too-short career. The Ranger 26 is undeniably fast: One won the 1970 IOR North American Half-Ton Cup.

The 26 is a good-looking boat with a distinctive sheer and a nice balance between freeboard and cabin height—a handsome profile wasn’t sacrificed to standing headroom—and exemplifies the construction techniques of the 1970s.

The hull is laid up by hand, and the balsa-cored deck mates to it on an inward-facing flange along the sheer line. A black-anodized aluminum toerail, fastened with bolts on 6-inch centers, completes the joint. The 1-ton iron fin keel is bolted to the hull and should be inspected periodically because the half-inch galvanized keel bolts have been known to corrode badly.

The Ranger 26 is a masthead sloop. Its deck-stepped mast is supported by upper shrouds, double lowers, a headstay, and a backstay rigged with a tensioning bridle.

At about 12 inches wide, the side decks are on the narrow side. Sailors going forward must take care when negotiating the chainplates and genoa tracks and blocks. An anchor roller wasn’t fitted as standard equipment, so anyone planning on cruising a Ranger 26 would want to consider fitting one that could perhaps also hold an anchor.

The cockpit is a little over 7 feet long and is ample for racing, cruising or socializing. The width between the seats is about right for leg bracing when heeled. Since the boat has no quarter berths, an abundance of stowage space is available under both cockpit seats.

An outboard motor provides propulsion. The transom has a cutout to accept it, but a low bulkhead just forward of the transom keeps water out of the cockpit proper and provides a convenient mounting location for the mainsheet traveler. Steering is by tiller.

The accommodation plan is conventional for this type of boat. A molded-fiberglass pan that forms the base for interior furniture includes berth fronts and platforms, and a padded vinyl headliner extends down the cabin sides. A compartment for a portable toilet and a storage closet separate the V-berth from the saloon. In the saloon, a dinette (that converts to a small double berth) is fitted on the port side, and a settee is fitted to starboard. The small galley consists of a sink to port of the companionway and a two-burner propane stove to starboard. Standing headroom is about 5 feet throughout, and sitting headroom above the seat cushions is more than 3 feet. The cabin trim is teak, and the bulkheads are teak-veneered.

Bandit , the boat I sailed for this review, races with a 130 percent genoa fitted on a Harken furler. In the 8 to 10 knots of wind that day, the boat handled well under the main alone. Once the genoa was unfurled, the boat heeled slightly before quickly accelerating to about 5 knots.

Bandit carries her 40 years lightly because she’s been well maintained. She’s a fine example of a 1970s-era racer/cruiser and is still able to show her transom to many competitors.

The Ranger 26 was built from 1969 to 1976. Depending on condition and equipment, list prices range from $3,000 to $5,800—quite a bargain for the inshore cruising opportunities that the boat offers.

Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma , in the Pacific Northwest. This article first appeared in the December 2013 issue of Cruising World.

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• Sailboat Reviews

Surely one of the most popular and versatile midget racers of the modern era, this Mull design has devotees all over the land. You can get them cheap, and cruise 'em, too.

Designed by Californian Gary Mull in 1971, the Ranger 23 was influenced by the Junior Offshore Group (JOG), a forerunner of the Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC, which evolved to MORA, which is now nearly extinct as an association). MORA rules provided designers, builders, and performance-oriented sailors with a venue in which many of the most mannerly, small-sized performance cruisers of the time could compete on a near-level playing field.

At the time, Jack Jensen, founder of Jensen Marine, was enjoying great success building Cal boats and making race history with the Cal 40 and Cal 27. However, to appeal to East Coast buyers, he formed Ranger Yachts (which actually were built in Costa Mesa, California), and commissioned Mull to design the new lines. Mull’s star was on the rise at the time, partially because of the success of the Santana 22, which he considered one of his most successful, and favorite, creations.

Cal and Ranger were eventually sold to Bangor Punta in 1973, and production of Cal boats was moved to Florida. A victim of a downturn in the industry, the Ranger line folded in 1978. In 1983, Bangor Punta sold both companies to Lear Siegler, shortly before their complete demise.

The company built six Rangers in sizes ranging from 22 to 37 feet.

The R-23 had an excellent production run, with 739 hulls built between 1971 and 1978. The boat is a sporty looker whose design is as appealing 30 years after her launch as when introduced. She carries a high-aspect sailplan and presents a fine bow entry and racy lines, especially compared to her contemporaries. Viewed from abeam, she appears proportionately shapely with a smoothly rising sheer, visually appealing cabintop, and long, narrow ports that hint at performance. Though not designed to meet a measurement rule, her lines were influenced by the CCA and, eventually, IOR racing rules.

In a lengthy epistle evaluating the boat, penned for the R-23 owners association shortly prior to death in 1993, Mull described the design as being “a little ship capable of sailing anywhere in the world safely, and swiftly.”

Her sailplan was the subject of many changes. Of the mast, Mull wrote, “In those days I was able to design each of the masts for Rangers for specific designs rather than having to pick from stock extrusions.” The same held true for chainplates, spreader roots, and mastheads.

Though offered with a rig designed to sail in the prevailing 15-20 knot Pacific northwesterlies, a tall rig was offered for sailors in light-air regions. In its standard configuration, the mast stood 27.7 feet above the deck. The tall rig added two feet to its height, with a corresponding increase in sail area.

Eventually, “when the IOR was introduced, we produced a revised plan with a shorter mainsail foot to qualify for the Quarter Ton class.” The boat sailed with some success in this class.

The single set of spreaders on the beefy, deck-stepped masthead rig are supported by 3/16″, 1×19 stainless steel headstay and upper shroud, and 5/32″, 1×19 backstay and lower shroud. A typical comment among long-time owners is that the rig is overbuilt; no failures have been reported by owners responding to a PS survey.

The deck-stepped mast “was a consequence of wanting a clear access through the interior.” While accomplishing that objective, the design compromises the amount of compression an owner can develop on stays while attempting to improve sail shape.

Underwater appendages are “standard trapezoidal profiles with standard NACA sections.” The keel carries 1,500 pounds of lead ballast. The spade rudder is mounted on a stainless steel rudder post. Owners describe the boat as providing excellent windward performance, and typically carry a 150% genoa with a full mainsail until breezes exceed 15-18 knots.

“On deck our concept is most noticeable because it has a proper cockpit with coamings, seats, and all. We were designing a boat for the occasional day or weekend sail, and a boat that could be taken to sea for extended periods.” She’ll seat four in relative comfort, even with a tiller occupying the center of the footwell.

“We didn’t feel compelled to offer standing headroom as we were fairly certain that the owners were smart enough to sleep lying down and would probably have the good sense to sit down when they went below for a meal. We also assumed that people making long passages in a boat of this size would probably be pretty good friends, and sited the head where it would be convenient and stable, though not so private as might be appropriate for a larger boat.”

There’s 5’6″ of headroom in the cabin, and 6’6″ settees that convert to berths. Creature comforts include a tilt-away dinette table, and a 25-pound icebox that doubles as a companionway step.

The galley, located at the junction of the saloon and V-berth, is, of course, pretty minimal. It consists of a sink located to port, optional two-burner alcohol stove to starboard, two drawers, and a storage cubby. (Note that in the accommodations drawing below, from the original sales brochure, the stove and sink appear on sides opposite where they ended up.)

Again in Mull’s words, “We didn’t even have, let alone feel compelled to offer, three- and four-burner gas stoves with oven and lighting system. We figured that one-dish meals and a pot of coffee made much more sense for a boat of this size.”

That’s certainly true—the set-up will allow good sleeping and just enough civilized eating during a long coastal passage to keep the crew content (as long as they’re within a day or two of a sheltered anchorage, a shower, and a meal ashore).

Space in the bow is occupied by a V-berth that provides a 6’2″ sleeping area and two dressers. The toilet was originally a self-contained “Handihead” with four-gallon capacity and waste discharge. One owner who replaced the original told us that the space is large enough for a more modern appliance.

Mull’s concept of light camping accommodations stands in contrast to Bill Crealock’s vision for the Dana 24 (PS December 2001), a beamier, significantly heavier, more crewfriendly yacht with an enclosed head that Crealock envisioned as carrying a crew of two around the world in “safety and comfort.”

The idea of extended cruising in a boat less than about 30 feet isn’t appealing to some sailors, but it can be great fun, as long as everyone gets along and there are good routines in place for how to move around the boat and do things in harmony.

This Ranger is spacious enough for sailing and sleeping with, say, a couple and two kids on short cruises, notwithstanding the lack of privacy.

Construction The hull and deck were designed using what were then considered state-of-the-art methods. Mull said that his initial agreement with Jensen included wide latitude in stipulating construction materials and methods, and that Ranger Yachts would provide quality production. In this case, the West Coast designer-builder combination works to the advantage of owners, since boats were expected to withstand higher stresses encountered on the Pacific near San Francisco than those in Southern California or the Chesapeake, for instance.

Interestingly, the most common shortcomings in the construction of the boats are caused by adhesives used to bond major components. Though the best available at the time, they pale by today’s standards.

Built during the adolescence of the fiberglass era, the hull and deck were constructed using Lloyd’s Provisional Rules for GRP vessels. Lloyd’s formula specified use of an all chopped mat structure; Ranger laid up alternating layers of mat and woven roving in the hull.

The deck was a sandwiched balsa core laminate employing a honeycomb method developed by Hexcel Corporation. At the time, Hexcel was cutting a wide swath in the Alpine skiing community with a similar laminate that produced lighter, stronger skis. Today’s boats are constructed with lighter, unidirectional fabrics; nonetheless, Ranger’s methods produced sturdy sections. Bulkheads were bonded to the hull, and the interior is a fiberglass pan.

An annual inspection by owners or thorough survey by potential buyers should be made of the mast step, hull-deck joint, keel bolts, and chainplates, as Mull noted.

A by-product of the attempt to produce creature comforts is that the mast step “is probably the biggest source of grief,” Mull wrote. That’s not a desirable trait in a boat advertised as being fit for offshore work, though not a fatal flaw.

The mast step is a 6061-T6 aluminum fabrication with fasteners connected to the deck structure intended to be bedded in flexible waterproof bedding compound. “Unfortunately,” said Mull, “the bedding compound on many boats has become dry and brittle and water can find its way through the bolt hole in the deck core.” A by-product might be soggy balsa or, in the worst case, rot.

In extreme cases, the fix involves removing the mast step columns and affected areas and replacing deck core with a new beam and laminate. Though more than a minor inconvenience, the problem would not prevent us from considering the purchase of a boat with this ailment.

Failures of adhesives and the large number of bolts installed through the toerail at the hull-deck joint also may produce leaks. In a worst-case scenario it would be necessary to remove the toerail and stanchions, elevate the deck from the hull, remove the old adhesive, and replace it with today’s materials. No small chore.

Similar problems may occur with chainplates that have been neglected for extended periods of time. Many owners report the need to rebed chainplates every couple of years. Not surprisingly, that predicament is still encountered by the owners of many newer, production boats.

Finally, leaks through ballast bolts have been reported by some owners. Mull’s recommended fix was a re-bed of keel and bolts with an elastic bedding compound to alleviate stress created by movement at the hull-keel joint.

Performance Since her deck layout is as simple as the boat is small, she’s easy to sail single- or doublehanded, and race with a crew of three.

Standard gear included external mainsail and jib halyards, Barient winches on the mast and in the cockpit, and Schaefer sail track, blocks, and cleats. Retrofitting additional halyards is as simple as adding external blocks at the masthead or, for the more sophisticated, adding sheaves and running halyards inside the mast. Safety gear includes bow and stern pulpits and 24″ tall stanchions fitted with a single lifeline.

A split backstay and racing package with spinnaker gear were the only options offered initially.

Computer-generated polar predictions indicate that the 23 stacks up well against similar-sized boats through a range of wind angles and wind speeds. As for top-end jets, as Mull said, “There’s no such thing as maximum hull speed,” except a theoretical rule of thumb that may apply to powering on flat water. In that environment, he predicted a boatspeed of 5.5 knots. In 10 knots of breeze under the same conditions, speed would fall in a range of 4 to 6 knots. Once the boat gets out in more wind or bigger waves, the hull begins to plane and surf; at that point the boat can cover a lot of distance between breakfast and suppertime—and it makes the racing exciting.

Conclusions It would be nice to see Ranger 23s organized again into one-design fleets all over the land, but in any case it’s good to know they’re out there racing PHRF, and that, like greyhounds retired from the rabbit-chase at the racetrack, they do well as family friends.

The R-23 can be considered a legitimate cruising boat, within the obvious physical limits of a short waterline and small quarters. To expand a bit on what was said earlier, small, simple boats like this can be ideal “express campers” for young families and couples. They can be bought for little money, fixed up as much or as little as wallet and skills allow, and don’t cost much to keep around.

Despite the Ranger’s age, it benefits from being designed on the cusp of an era when traditional, full-keeled cruisers were being replaced by sloops with more modern underbodies and appendages that produced significant improvements in performance. The hull and major structures are sound, aside from the aforementioned problems associated with adhesives that have deteriorated.

These Rangers were built before the day when vinylester resin was used in hull laminates, and some owners report the presence of dime-sized blisters that require inspection or repair. The boat does not have a reputation of suffering from chronic deficiencies that demand total bottom replacements.

Given a thorough survey, we think the R-23 would be a great candidate for a couple or family who might be new to the sport, or who are stepping up from a dinghy or daysailor. The boat was offered for $5,450 in 1971. Expect to pay $3,500 up to as much as $10,000 for a used boat, depending upon condition—if you can find one.

Arvel Gentry, the Boeing engineer who rocked the world of sailing decades ago with the facts about foils, lift, fluid circulation, and what makes sailboats go, maintains the Ranger 23 Owners and Class Association at www.ranger23.com.

Also With This Article Click here to view “Used Boat Price HistoryRanger 23 (1972 model).” Click here to view “Owner’s Comments.”

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Ranger 20 New Owner

• Thread starter David McCullough
• Start date Sep 1, 2016
• Brand-Specific Forums
• Ranger Boats (WA)

David McCullough

Aloha and happy to be on board with this forum. I just bought a used Ranger 20 that was last sailed over 6 years ago in Oregon, Hull RFB000660273. In fine shape as she was housed on her trailer inside a hanger and had just been refitted prior. Here is what I could use help with: 1. I would love to get in touch with other Ranger 20 owners - especially North of San Francisco - I live in Sebastopol, Ca. 2. Any manuals, paperwork, documentation, stories would be great. 3. Any former owners of this boat I would like to get in touch with. 4. I am having the old electronics, radio, fm/am radio taken out - using Fred Fritz Electronics in Petaluma, California. 5. I am emphasizing safety equipment as my main priority so suggestions are most welcome. 6. I have taught beginning/intermediate sailing at UCLA and University of Hawai'i in the past but am still a newbie - so I will be taking classes, private and CG when I can. Anything I have missed definitely give me a shout out. If you are in the area come sail with me, I love to learn and teach. I still work full time as an RN at the VA and volunteer Firefighter. Mahalo everyone and fair winds, safe sailing. David McCullough [email protected]  

Hi David, I just bought a Ranger 20 myself. Did you ever get any info for that model?  

kappykaplan

@Sam Wilkes , the OP hasn't been seen since he posted.  

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Rnger 28: any good?

• Add to quote

I'm looking at a Ranger 28. I like the lines and the equipment list is terrific. Is it a good racer? What's the quality like?  

An incredibly quick boat! I am currently completing a restoration on mine. It was way faster than I had anticipated. And the cabin has great accommodations! I think, with its unique Gary Mull design, that it is the best sailboat of that size for the money! Good luck!  

A great racer...  

There's been a "restored" one in the classifieds of Good Old Boat for quite some time. Asking $10.5k  

A sailor out there with Ranger 8.5 (build in Kent WA) experience ? Have not had a chance to speak to any one experienced with the R 8.5. She is frag. rigged PHRF 180 to 192. Sailed her for 2 summers now and had "sweet" success with WARHAWK last season. Gerard  

The OP seems to be referring to the Ranger Yachts 28 (Mull), Not to the Ranger 8.5 (Schumacher), from Ranger Fiberglass Boats in Kent WA. At least that's my take on it. Different boats with nothing in common. I remember Warhawk from the good old days, when I used to own and sail Ranger 20's and 24's. I had friends that raced and cruised their 8.5 Rangers. Only odd thing about threads like this is framing the question around "racing" or "cruising" when in actual fact either of these boats makes a nice small (and fast!) cruiser. There is a Ranger 28 (Gary Mull designed) in our YC for a couple of decades, and it's a very good sailing boat. Loren  

Thanks Loren and mine obviously is the Kent WA Ranger 8.5 with modified Choate 27 lower hull redone by Karl Schumacher. (i believe this was his first job as an independent Navel architect) Awesome that you know Warhawk from it's earlier days racing the PNW, she has been in the Okanagan now for almost three years. The Ranger 8.5 is a great racer/daysailor and can sail to it's numbers, however for some reason it is a little sticky between 4.5 to 5.7 knots of hull speed and it takes every little tweak not to lose "ground". Once at 5.8 knots of hull speed (about 9 to 10 knot wind) she moves really nice, points well and wins races. I have done as much research on the boat as I can, including speaking to the now very mature, production manager at the time and have a number of component drawings (sketches with measurements), which can be shared. Hope another Ranger 8.5 skipper out there will respond. Cheers, Gerard  

Hey Sailgone, I am about to be the proud new owner of a Ranger 8.5. I having difficulties finding finding much information about it. I'd love to connect.  

It is probably worth a try, but, Sailgone is more than likely... gone. S/He hasn't posted in 3 years. Maybe start a new thread. Welcome to Sailnet!  

Just as a word of caution. Looked at a Ranger 28 and at first glance I was ready to write a check. Closer inspection found extensive soft decks. All the life line stanchions and bow pulpit had developed leaks and rotted out the deck core. The guy selling the boat, not the long time owner, seemed to intimate that that was a common problem with the boat. Boat had had very little use and spent most of it's life on a trailer somewhere in the mountain states. The moisture for the rot came from rain water.  

Are you describing the "Ranger 28" from Ranger Yachts in California? If it's the Ranger 8.5 built by Ranger Boats in Kent, WA, they did a very good job fitting out their boats and there should be no moisture problems from the factory's workmanship.  

The Ranger 8.5 is a VERY fast boat. While it has a cruising interior, the headroom is stooping or sitting. Not too many were built by Ranger Boats in Kent WA, over a few years. (There is one languishing on CL in the Portland area that was foolishly converted from inboard diesel to an OB on the stern. Less than 5K, and evidently no offers. ) Here is one info link: Ranger 8.5 — Sailboat Guide The hull mold from the former CF-27 was used, with a new deck and interior by Ranger. I am not sure whether even 20 were completed. The stock engine was a small Yanmar diesel. The builder was trying to move into larger boats from their very successful Ranger 20 and 24 model, and the whole industry downturn in the 80's was hard on them along with a lot of other builders. Note that the "Ranger 28" was a totally (!) different boat built by Ranger Yachts in California. Gary Mull design.  

Hi! Former 8.5 owner here. We had Jazz custom built for us. Ivory hull with red and black trim. Sailed and raced it in the Port Angeles area. Just curious if you know if the boat in Portland sold. I think that our boat was on the Columbia after we sold it many moons ago. Sad to think that it could be the one "languishing."  

I know that the one languishing on CL, was purchased new by a Portland couple. It was raced on the Columbia River in its early days. Some subsequent owner took out the single cylinder. Yanmar and stuck an OB on the transom -- silly idea imho.  

Thanks for the reply. Phew. "Our" boat may also be languishing somewhere as well--probably will never know. I believe Jazz was the second boat built after Warhawk. We had some good years racing/cruising and only parted with her when she contracted the dreaded gelcoat issue.  

nice pic  

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Beam:  7.87'    Draft:  3.08'     Draft:  3'     Beam:  7.83'    Draft:  4.25'     Beam:  7.8'    Draft:  4.25'     Beam:  8'6'    Draft:  4'6'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.5'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  3'     Beam:  7'    Draft:  4'     Beam:  7.9'    Draft:  3.75'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.8'     Beam:  7.92'    Draft:  3'9'     Beam:  7'    Draft:  4'     Beam:  7.9'    Draft:  3.8'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  39'     Draft:  1.5'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.75'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  3.7'     Beam:  7.92'    Draft:  3.75'     Beam:  7.92'    Draft:  3.75'     Beam:  6'    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  4'    Draft:  3'     Beam:  8.75'    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  8.0'    Draft:  4.4'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  6'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  8'8'    Draft:  4'4'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  4'6'     Beam:  9'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  7'6'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  9.58''    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  9' 8'    Draft:  4' 10'     Beam:  9'6'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  9.4'    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  9' 4'    Draft:  4'6'     Beam:  9.58'    Draft:  4.5'     Beam:  9.0'    Draft:  4' 5'     Beam:  9'    Draft:  4'     Beam:  9.9'    Draft:  4.6'     Beam:  9'4'    Draft:  4'7'     Beam:  9'4'    Draft:  4'6'     Beam:  10.75'    Draft:  5.5'     Beam:  10.75'    Draft:  5.5'     Beam:  10.6'    Draft:  6'     Beam:  10.83'    Draft:  5.25'     Beam:  9.58'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  8'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  9.5'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  9.5'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  10'    Draft:  6'     Beam:  9'6'    Draft:  5'3'     Beam:  9.6'    Draft:  5.5'     Beam:  9'7'    Draft:  5'     Beam:  10'    Draft:  4.9' © 2001-2024 ./)   . . ./)   . . 234 IMAGES Ranger 20 Ranger 20 1976 Ranger Ranger 20 Ranger 20 Ranger 20 sailboat for sale Ranger 20 VIDEO Ranger 33 sailboat Having fun sailing my Cal 20 Taking my new 1963 Cal 20 sailboat to Napa Boat for DIY work The lady hawkeye (ranger 26 sailboat) Footy Ranger 1960s Ranger Minto Sailboat Sailing in Quartermaster Harbor COMMENTS Advise for Ranger 20 5. Kent Ranger 20 Priest Lake Idaho. Jan 13, 2019. #7. The wires were cut at both ends near where they entered the mast at the bottom and where they exited at the top. The idea of redrilling on the top plate and then rethreading wire, (while leaving old wire) seems the most straight forward. Looking for ranger 20 info 180 posts · Joined 2001. #2 · Dec 8, 2009. Ranger 20. Great little boat! I've owned two of them over the years in between a Catalina 25. The boat is rigged beautifully for singlehanding and is easy to trailer and launch. Draft about 18" with the centerboard retracted. The cuddy cabin with dodger provides good weather protection. Ranger 20 Info Posts: 5. Ranger 20 Info. I just bought a Ranger 20 as my first boat. I've little experience sailing, I'm excited to start learning! The hull has some scratches, but generally looks pretty sound for at least lake sailing, which I hope to do this "winter" (if you can call it that in Texas) so I can get some experience on the water before the ... Ranger 20 rigging 2,006. Ericson Yachts Olson 34 28400 Portland OR. Aug 27, 2012. #2. theparadoc said: Just bought a 1976 Ranger 20. I am not a very experienced sailor and would like to know a link or information sheet on how to best step the mast.The boat is at home on a trailer, so I want to practice with that before I flail at launch. You can hook up with the ... RANGER 20 It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5 Review of Ranger 20 Keel. CentreBoard. The Ranger 20 is equipped with a centreboard keel. A centreboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters. The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed. Ranger 20 vs Sea Pearl 21 The boat weathervaned, drifting slowly backward—the rudder turned side-ways and acted as a brake. To reef, Drew lifted the thumb tab on the ingenious rotating gooseneck, unclipped the vang and eased the outhaul. This allowed him to rotate the mast—which spins freely in the mast tube—and roll up sail area. Very simple. Very Sea Pearl." Kent Ranger 20 Info I just purchased a Ranger 20 11/18. Hull #194. Looks like a great boat. I am going through the boat. cleaning it up and checking it out. ... General Sailing Discussions Gear & Maintenance Boat Review Forum Cruising Under Sail Seamanship & Navigation. Top Contributors this Month View All. OntarioTheLake 142 Replies. M. Minnewaska 130 Replies ... Ranger 20 Does anyone have experience with the Ranger 20 (Ranger Yachts, Kent Wa.)? I am considering buying one for lake sailing, and wondered about other sailers' experiences. ... Product / Service Reviews; Electronics: Comms / AV; Electrical: Batts / Gen / Solar; Lithium Power Systems; ... 76 Ranger Sailboat 27' SouthernHiker: Monohull Sailboats: 9: 05 ... Ranger 20 Ranger 20 is a 20′ 0″ / 6.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Raymond Richards and built by Ranger Fiberglass Boats (USA) starting in 1972. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in ... Sail to Summit: Kent Ranger 20 sailboat cruise/camp Sail to Summit. This blog is about my two main passions in life, sailing and climbing and a few random adventures in between. My sailing stories are based on my interest in pocket cruisers, pocket cruising, and more specifically my kent ranger 20 sailboat. My climbing posts may be about anything from a day at the crag to a multiday alpine ... Ranger 20 The Ranger 20 is a 20.0ft fractional sloop designed by Raymond Richards and built in fiberglass since 1972. 600 units have been built. The Ranger 20 is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat. Newport 16, Mariner 19 or Ranger 20? Assuming you will be trailering the boat the simpler rigging would be a worthy advantage. I started sailing via dry sailing a MFG Bandit 15, and sometimes the setup wasn't worth the time sailing. ... Not sure I've ever seen a Ranger 20 or Newport 16. rgranger. Jan 19, 2010 12,541 Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston Feb 19, 2022 #3 I'd throw ... PDF Ranger 20 Portland Fleet #4 The Columbia River Ranger 20 Fleet is one of the largest one-design fleets on the river, with over 10 boats hitting the start line during the racing season. The reason why? A supportive and friendly fleet and a timeless, colorful, unsinkable shoal-draft design well-suited for racing and cruising on the river. Over five hundred of these ... Ranger 20 By Ranger Fiberglass Boats ShortyPen Sailboat Guide Boat Name: Ranger 20: Manufacturer: Ranger Fiberglass Boats: Hull Type: Pocket Cruiser: LOA: 19'8" (6m) Beam: 7'10" (2.39m) Weight: 1550 (704.48kg) Ballast: 550 (249.98kg) Keel Type: shoal keel: Berths: 2: Draft Up: 1'9" (0.53m) ... Ranger 20 Pics 2: Comments About This Boat ... Ranger 20 Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, ... the ranger 20 with only a couple feet shorter and a sturdy design decent phrf rating may fit my budget and needs. In this range of boat at 6'2 the cabin to me will just be a ... 1973 Kent Ranger Ranger 20 The Kent Ranger 20 is a popular boat and has a very proud fanbase. Only 600 were built over a span of 13 years. This is #153. Ideal for inner bay family day sails like the SF Bay area. Its got a roomy cockpit with plenty of space for 4. It features an innovative fixed cuddy (cabin) with inbuilt storage bin seats. Ranger 26 Boat Review The Ranger 26 was built from 1969 to 1976. Depending on condition and equipment, list prices range from $3,000 to $5,800—quite a bargain for the inshore cruising opportunities that the boat offers. Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma, in the Pacific Northwest. This article first appeared in the December 2013 ... Ranger 23 Ranger 23 - Practical Sailor ... Ranger 23 Ranger 20 Nationals 2022 Ranger 20 Nationals 2022, Portland, Oregon. 155 likes · 1 talking about this. A one design National Champions for Kent Ranger 20 sailboats hosted by SYSCO and the PDX R20 Fleet. Scheduled for July... Ranger 20 New Owner Here is what I could use help with: 1. I would love to get in touch with other Ranger 20 owners - especially North of San Francisco - I live in Sebastopol, Ca. 2. Any manuals, paperwork, documentation, stories would be great. 3. Any former owners of this boat I would like to get in touch with. 4. I am having the old electronics, radio, fm/am ... Rnger 28: any good? The Ranger 8.5 is a great racer/daysailor and can sail to it's numbers, however for some reason it is a little sticky between 4.5 to 5.7 knots of hull speed and it takes every little tweak not to lose "ground". Once at 5.8 knots of hull speed (about 9 to 10 knot wind) she moves really nice, points well and wins races. Ranger sailboats for sale by owner. Ranger used sailboats for sale by owner. Home. Register & Post. View All Sailboats. Search. Avoid Fraud. ... 20' Ranger 20 designed by Ray Richards Polson Flathead Lake, Montana Asking $4,000. 21.5' Catalina 22 Winthrop Harbor, Illinois Asking $12,000. 30' Catalina 30 TRBS Glasgow, Montana catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht