RANGER TUGS R-27

If the Swiss Army Knife people made boats…

By Andy Adams

Ranger Tugs have been around since 1958 and they have developed a great formula: one boat, one price. Almost everything is included, and there is literally a fan club of owners who share stories, information and who set up events and rendezvous with other Ranger Tugs owners. www.Tugnuts.com is a community hub for owners of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats and Solara Boats, all made by Fluid Motion!

Tugnuts.com is quite a unique resource. The online forum has quick links to a chat, info about cruises & gatherings, a channel to ask questions of the Ranger Tugs Factory, Ranger Tugs Technical Discussions, “How to” videos and more.

Here’s a Tug Nuts gathering on the West Coast. Looks like fun, doesn’t it?

The Ranger Tugs line includes the R-23, R-25, the R-27 model we’re reviewing here, the R-29, R-31 and R-43, (the larger vessels are also available as Sedans or with a Command Bridge). Our R-27 test boat was a brand new 2025 Luxury Edition model, and it’s a real family cruising boat that is equipped to travel. The R-27’s length overall is actually 31’4”, and with an 8‘6“beam you can trailer it behind a big pickup. This means you can go all kinds of places by road quickly and economically (comparatively), opening up cruising areas that you may have only dreamed of.

On the water, with an economical cruising speed of 30.7 mph at 4,500 rpm, the R-27 could cover a lot of Georgian Bay or do a memorable Pacific Northwest cruise in a weekend, fish a variety of locations, stop for swimming, take the kids wakeboarding and do all sorts of other activities. It can do everything, just like a Swiss Army Knife!

The roof rack with the standard equipment solar panel in the center, and some of the overhead opening hatches. There is plenty of available space carrying a stand-up paddleboard, bicycles, and other recreational items.

ABOVE DECKS

Let’s begin at the top of the cabin roof, where you discover some surprising standard features. The roof has several atrium skylights, opening hatches and an attractive mast that mounts the standard equipment Garmin xHD radar dome, which can be folded down for trailering. A little faux smokestack on the cabin top, reminiscent of a real tugboat, gives the boat some nautical flare.

A cabin roof cargo rack is included. This can carry a kayak, bicycles or camping gear, and the rack also carries the standard 175-watt solar panel to help keep the batteries (lithium-ion LiFePO4) charged. Very cool idea!

The foredeck includes a clever folding lounge seat for two—ideal as a quiet place to enjoy your morning coffee. Also forward is a 16.5lbs Lewmar anchor and power windlass, bow scuff plate, and beefy cleats and hardware. Around much of the side decks are inward-sloping edges that help you keep your footing. The decks are not wide, but they feel secure with handrails everywhere you might want them.

The lounge seat on the forward deck is a great place for a morning coffee.

COCKPIT
Working your way aft, there is a convenient cockpit sun and weather shade for all weather protection. The cockpit features seating for five, three drink holders and, across the transom, an electric grill with backsplash and a small sink with hot and cold running water. The seats fold out from the sides and transom and the coaming bolsters double as backrests. Lean against these when fishing and hook under the toe rails. The seats fold out of the way when not in use to maximize floor space. Footlights add safety at night. Fishing features include rod holders, a live well on the port side and a cabinet for the optional second refrigerator—very handy for drinks and snacks!

You will find a lot of underfloor storage here, as well as a removable table that can be mounted in the cockpit centre for dining or drinks. Another remarkable cockpit feature is the swing-open glass bulkhead with reversible seat. This gives the cabin full flow-through ventilation in temperate conditions. When the weather is too hot or too cold, close the cabin and the R-27 Luxury Edition includes air-conditioning and reverse-cycle heat!

The helm is nicely arranged with an attractive wood rimmed steering wheel, clearly marked switches, Fusion stereo system, Garmin MFD, VHF Radio, Yamaha Control box and Lenco trim tabs. The side glass conveniently slides open.

TRANSOM

The transom area is quite spacious. The whole gang can go swimming with a starboard side boarding ladder and substantial handrail to help you up and in. The flooring is cushioned EVA that stays cool and offers good grip. This carries throughout the cockpit and other topside areas.

You can order the auxiliary motor package with a 9.9hp engine with tie bar steering from the main steering and throttle control as well. This optional trolling motor is a nice compliment to other standard fishing features, which include two rod holders, downrigger plugs, pads and a washdown.

Another option is the dinghy lift, which swings and carries a dinghy up above the main engine. An auxiliary motor bracket stores the dinghy motor.

The head compartment with vessel sink, toilet, opening porthole, and the shower curtain furled on the right.

INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS AND FEATURES

So many clever features and so functional! The cabin door opens to the companionway with the galley and refrigerator on the port side behind the cockpit cabinet—a handy combination. Just inside is the Force two-burner gas stove and oven with restraint clamps to secure your pots. There are shelves with fiddles on the cabin side for your spices and small items. The polished stainless-steel oven is a treat. Bake a cake, a dinner or whatever you want.

The teak and teak veneer woodwork is nicely joined in this Ranger Tugs model, giving the interior a warm nautical feel. The cabinetry has four drawers including a bin under the oven for canned good or pots. There are four cabinets, a cutting board, a microwave and the main refrigerator/freezer. There is a deep sink in the counter with a pull-out rinse faucet. One more clever feature; the companion seat swings forward providing additional counter space. The adjacent ships electrical panel is also very handy.

The Kenyon electric grill is built into the transom. The fold-out aft seat is in the stowed position and there is a sink with running water, two drink holders and the padded seat over propane locker.

The convertible dinette on the starboard side seats four with a table that folds down and converts into a bed. There is also a double berth under this seating area that can alternatively be used for storage. There are curtains all around, and another great cabin feature is the sweeping, curved glass windshield. This has wipers on both sides and a “brow” to shade the helm and interior. The cabin roof atrium skylights and hatches really brighten the cabin by day.

HEAD AND FORWARD CABIN

Under the helm, Ranger Tugs’ designers have found space for a fully enclosed head compartment with a skylight, opening port hole, an electric MSD, vessel sink in a vanity and a curtain for the shower.

Opposite in the companionway is a hanging locker, set of drawers and storage space for a Keurig coffee maker. There is even a TV on an adjustable mount.

The morning view looking aft from the vee berth. Note the opening portholes, air conditioning outlet, 12-V television on the swing-out mount and convenient dressing table.

Forward from there is a comfortable double bed, which can be configured as a vee berth. This forward cabin has a door for privacy, more storage and cushions, and you can also convert this area to a dining or sitting area with the adjustable height table. This is a generous cabin that most couples will enjoy as their bedroom aboard.

HELM AND PERFORMANCE

Back to the Swiss Army Knife idea—Ranger Tugs standard equipment list is very impressive with a Garmin 6812 XSV navigation system including GPS and sonar, a Garmin autopilot and a Garmin xHD radar system. Plus the Yamaha 300 UCA engine has a colour engine display, digital fuel flow data, power engine tilt and trim, Lenco trim tabs, Yamaha engine trim and even a standard bow thruster!

No, we’re not done yet. You also get an ICOM VHF radio and a Fusion Sound system.

We loved the galley with the Force 10 oven, handsome woodwork, cutting board over the sink and lots of storage space.

The helm is very cool. While the steering wheel does not tilt, the seat adjusts for reach and has two positions for height, helping keep you comfortable as you go. To match the extensive teakwood interior, the steering wheel is elegantly finished in varnished wood.

The Ranger Tugs R-27 runs like a sport boat with an impressive top speed, strong acceleration and impressive handling too. From a standing start, the R-27 planes off (with a light load) in a mere 7.58 seconds and hits 30mph in 11.48. Most efficient cruising speed is 4,500 RPM doing 30.7mph. Top speed, at 5,900 RPM, is 42.3mph. Steering was light and responsive. You could certainly tow the kids on a tube or wakeboard. Like a Swiss Army Knife, the Ranger Tugs R-27 does many things—all of them well.