One of the boats in the running for boat de jour is the venerable Ranger 30. Designed by C. Raymond Hunt, this boat has the classic good looks of the 70’s era, at least to our eye. One of the things we like about the Ranger 30 is of course the reasonable prices that they can be had for. I currently have my eye on one that, from the photos at least, seams to be in great shape and is listed for $15,000. She was built in 1978, either the first or second year of production, I believe.
Ranger 30 under way
Dimensions:
L.0 A 29’11”
L.W.L. 25’5″
Beam 10’9″
Draft 5’6″
Displ. 9000 lb.
Part of our criteria for our next boat is that she is large enough to spend, perhaps a week or maybe two on a sailing vacation. We have been advised that if you start going above 30′ in a sailboat then you start to need to worry about things like crew. The exact example given was for cranking miles of sheeting for the large genoas that are the norm on vessels of this era. We sail about half the time just the two of us, so that is why we looking at this particular model of Ranger.
Also the cabin is done with loads of beautiful teak, which we love. We like the warmth and coziness all this joinery provides and the layout seams very functional, never having actually been in one that is. The design provides sleeping accommodations for five with two in the fore peak, two in the saloon and one in a rear quarter berth. Head room is purported to be 6′.
galley
As can be seen in the photo she has an L-shaped galley for functionality, providing a large single sink, icebox and two-burner stove top. Some I’ve seen listed also have an oven below the stove top. The head is positioned in between the saloon and the v-berth with the head itself and the sink on the port side and wet locker and storage on the starboard.
The Ranger 30 was originally designed to be competitive in the IOR racing rules of the time. We don’t race competitively, but I think we all know what happens when two sailboats meet going the same direction. The race is on! And who doesn’t like to speed along at a nice clip on a sunny day. She is ballasted with a 4300lb. fin shaped keel, this combined with her 5 ½ feet of displacement should make for good up-wind pointability. And with her keel/displacement ratio at about 47% we are hoping she will be a very stable ride. One area I keep flipping on is the atomic 4 engine that seems to be on all the boats of this era. I know they have and excellent work history and parts are available through http://www.moyermarine.com/ , but having a re-powered Ranger with a newer diesel seems attractive as well.
Decisions, decisions. I don’t know how we are ever going to decide which sailboat to buy. If you have any comments on the Ranger 30 I’d love to see them.
I own one of these great boats. Excellent cruiser and racer. Plenty of room just problems with the usual leaks. Given the head liner and lack of access for repairs, that is my only complaint.
Hi Mark, Sorry it took so long for a reply, I’ve been working a lot this week. I am glad to hear that you enjoy your Ranger 30, they seem like they are great boats. We love the lines and all the teak in the cabin. Our current Precision 23 does not have a head liner as such, but does have carpet glued to the top. All the bolts go right through the carpet for easy access, however. I would like to run some wires under it but I am hesitant about trying to pull the carpet away. Oh well, it is always something it seems. Thanks for the comment.
I purchased my Ranger 30 in 1977 at the age of 27. She has always been a joy to sail. We have cruised Narragansett Bay, Martyha Vinyard, Nantucket, Block Island over the past 33yrs. Last fall I made the decision to sell her, I got an offer in 3 weeks to purchase her. I told the perspective buyer she was not for sale. She is very easy to single hand at the age of 60 and will pass her on to my two sons.
Sage is in the procees of being allgripped, she will be painted a dark green hull and a golden gray metalic boot top & cove stripe, the spars will be painted black.
Hello Ellis, I’m glad to hear you still have Sage. You will have to let me know how the awlgripping goes for you. Our new sailboat may be a candidate for that in the future, actually the deck needs painting first probably. I’m sure Sage will be very striking with the colors you’ve chosen. Last June my wife and I had the opportunity to sail out to Edgartown on Martha’s Vinyard from East Falmouth. We had lunch at the Seafood Shanty, we were craving fish & chips. What a beautiful area! Happy sailing.
Sage is ready to be painted/ Dark green hull silver dootop and sheerstriper
Thanks Ellis
Hi Ellis, Looks like you have been busy over the winter. You have been more industrious than I. So far, we have purchased a new Origo double burner drop in stove for Aurion, but even that remains in the box. Too much snow on the ground to get at Aurion for now. But spring is on it’s way I am told. Thanks for the update and keep them coming.
I have Ranger 30, built in 1977, purchased from original owner in 1982. Boat is very fast, heads to wind very well, but don’t choke down the slot between main and jib. I too chase leaks. Atomic-4 is wonderful, don’t let anyone convince you to change it. Only other complaint is that PHRF rating is 163, compared to 180 for Catalina 30 and others of same size. It is hard to race to that rating, but if the breeze is not too light this boat MOVES!
Jim
Hi Jim, Sounds like you have been enjoying your Ranger for some time, 29 years, our last boat we only owned 5 months! Glad to hear you are happy with the A-4. Our Islander 28 also has a gasoline engine, not the A-4, but a Volvo MB 10A. Marna Motor, which is the Norwegian company which makes the motor for Volvo, has had that model in it’s line up since the 1950’s if I remember correctly, so I suspect it must be a proven design by now. Anyways, I am glad to hear you remain so happy with your Ranger 30. Stay in touch.