Another Ranger that has caught our eye, one in particular listed for $9000 at a local boat yard, is the Ranger 28. Gary Mull designed this boat with the first ones being produced in 1976. They had a short run, only lasting two years I believe. Gary had at least 46 designs that went to production, very impressive. He designed the Ranger 28 to be a competitive racer under IOR, yet still be comfortable to cruise with. The ads of the day, stated that just as much attention was given to the cabin as the rigging. The ad makes much about this, and from the drawings, seems so.
image from www.yachtworld.com
What makes this sailboat attractive to us is, of course the reasonable pricing in todays market, but also it seems to possess some of our other requirements to be considered for boat de jour. She fits into our size requirements of 28 – 34 feet, although just making the cut. Her LOA is listed at 28′ even and displacement is 6000 pounds giving her a D/L of 263.22, placing her in the moderate displacement category. The SA /D is 18.86, this goes to the cruiser-racer category. Our current boat, a Precision 18, is listed as having SA / D of 21.77 and a D / L of 131.87 for comparison. Her theoretical hull speed should be 6.24 knots.
The cockpit seems to be of a decent size, steering is done with a tiller, as should be, in our opinions. Nothing makes my wife happier than having a tiller in her hand and the wind in her hair. And if she’s happy, I’m happy. Power was provided with the Atomic 4 motor, which I’ve decided is just fine by me. Lots of resources for information and parts and service available readily. Down below, the interior is done in all white joinery with teak trim. While we would prefer teak on teak, the white makes the salon very bright and is probably easier to take care of. It is laid out nicely with berths for five, they seem fairly large as well. The galley is laid out cross-ways under the companion way, and although an L-shaped would be preferable, in a 28 foot sailboat, this is a better use of space I think. The way we intend to sail her I don’t think we would be doing all that much cooking underway anyways, at least not initially. The head is also laid out beam to beam, with sink on starboard and the head on port, there are no provisions for a shower. This may be a sticking point for my wife and a stinking point for me (Ha Ha). Forward berth seams to be of nominal size, with an opening hatch above. Speaking of ventilation, the side ports do not open, so this could be an issue for us as too. Oh well, fans are readily available I guess.
image from sailboatdata.com
Over all, I think that if we should end up with one of these nicely designed sailboats in the future I think we will enjoy her very much.
Some friends of ours picked up a Ranger 31 a few years back — it was a bargain, since it had been sitting neglected in somebody’s back yard for 15 years. It took a lot of work to bring it to its full glory, but it’s now a magnificent boat. They’ve taken it on long-distance cruises, including twice to Alaska. If that sort of thing is your vision de jour, then a Ranger could be your boat de jour.
Hi Carol Anne, That is good to hear! The Ranger line is certainly on our short list, the lake we would have it on initially is actually a wide spot in the Mississippi known as Lake Pepin. It is about 3 miles wide by 27 miles long. Lake Superior is only about 2 hours from where we live as well so we may end up there in the future, so it is reassuring to hear of a Ranger on the Pacific.
Would love to know if this boat is still for sale. And what color.
One other point. When I was very young, I washed and readied every Ranger that had been made. I worked for the Ranger dealer on the SF Bay. John Beery Yachts.
Gary Mull’s firm was upstairs, North Sails was there, and a boat yard.
When we took delivery of our first 28, it was round 78, or so. I think. I remember stepping on the foredeck and the whole bow went down six inches. A very light and tender boat that wasn’t right for the SF Bay. But probably very good for lighter winds.
The Ranger 32 was a 3/4 ton dog. Blackaller won something big SORC maybe, with one named Oklahoma Crude, or something along those lines.
The 37 was the first of the newer designs, and was intro’d in 73, or so. We had a few around. Very squirrelly with a tiny rudder. They looked awesome, though. Beautiful lines. Mull had style.
The Ranger 33 was the only true casualty, along with the 29. No real reason for them, other than to have an inboard. The 26 remains a first love, as does the 23. But I prefer the 26.
Tomb, The Ranger 28 I was writing about did sell a few weeks ago, it had a white hull with red striping. I still have photos on this page, Boat De Jour Yacht Listings. The boat sold at one of our local yacht dealers, Hooper’s Yachts.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Ranger line. They remain some of our favorites. Hooper’s still has a 33 for sail, I believe. Here is the link to that one. My nephew sailed either a 23 or a 26 in his college sailing club, which ever one it was, he said he liked it a lot. Again, I appreciate your input on these boats.
Nice site! I am about to pick up Vamos, a Ranger 28 tall rig that was stationed in Fort Worth at the boat club for a number of years. It is my hope to have everything done and ready to roll by the end of May, early June. I will try to post pics, hopefully start learning how to race sailboats.
Fair Winds!
Will, Thanks for the nice comment and good luck with your new Ranger 28. I know Rangers are a favorite of the broker we bought our last two sailboats from and he has a ton of sail racing and all around experience under his belt, so I respect his opinion. There’s nothing as exciting as getting a new sailboat, good luck with her!
i am into sailing and i am also a diy fiberglass sailing boat enthusiasts for 5 years now. i really love sailing.~’`
i love to sail at see or on a river, sailing has been my hobby for several years already. “`*
I have a 1976 Ranger 28-2 Tall rig for sale. Very well equipped. New UK mylar/kevlar main, new UK mylar/kevlar tape drive 130, new UK 3/4 oz triradial spinnaker. Like new Westerbeke GM12hp diesel w/Martec folding prop. Much more. $5,650.
Hi Joe, Thanks for the comment. I am sending you a pm.
Joe Ewen, what city is your 28 in? looking to buy for location on the Great Salt lake, Utah
For Joe Ewen, is the R-28 still available and if so, could you send a listing of description.
Many thanks,
Terry Arndt
I have a 1976 Ranger 28……in Newport Harbor CA….love her!..and sailed her from here to San Diego to Malibu, plus the Channel Islands…having great times …..slow by todays boats, but one excellent cruiser.
Ludy
=) Great content, thank you.
I am looking into a ’77 Ranger 28 on a trailer that has a make-shift rudder (plywood and rudder post), and a keel that looks like it broke and is bolted through (very rough repair work). Sounds like the boat was washed up on a sandbar up in San Juans and jury rigged to make it back to where the boat currently lies in The Dalles, Oregon. The boat has been sitting at a crummy looking car dealership for over a year now, and I would hate to see it get scrapped. They are asking $2000 for the trailer, and have the boat ‘listed’ at $9000…one of the sales people said to make an offer for $4500 for the whole kit. I wouldn’t pay anything over $2000.
Crispy Dacron 4 sail quiver w/ spin+gear – decent looking standing/running rigging – Solid deck, no soft spots, chain plates solid – interior is OK needs new floor installed, and new cushions – Atomic 4 recent tune-up runs.
Does anyone have any experience rebuilding/remounting keel and rudder on a Ranger 28 (or any other boat similar size)? What would be the max price to offer in your opinion???
s
Hi Scott, Sounds like a very big project to me. Good luck if you decide to tackle it. Have you tried asking your question on cruisersforum or sailboatowners? Lots of knowledgable folks at those two sites.
I’m looking at a Ranger 28.The boat has as propulsion an aircooled lawnmower motor which scares me! Has anybody have any experience with this contraption?
Well, if you are sailing on the west coast you could “mow” right through the kelp beds I would think! ha ha. If you are being serious however, it would scare me too!
For Sale !972 28 Ft. Ranger..In Siswikit Bay Marina , Wi. on Lake Superior…..Atomic four (gas ) engine…New sails and roller fuller just put on 2013….White with Red stripe….Tiller…asking $8500.00….it has been in this location for over 20 years ..we have owned this Beautiful Sail Boat for the last 5 years…
I thought Ranger 28’s were built for two years, from 1977-1978 ? I see there is a Ranger 28 for sale listed at $8,500 above comment #20. I am curious whether it is really a 1972.
Hey Roger, I saw on Sailboatdata that they built 130 Ranger 28’s from 1976-78.
Yes , it is confusing about when the R 28’s were made. Am looking at a 1982 for sale ,but how can that be if they stopped in 1978 ?