1974 Ranger 26'

bikersander · #1 11-07-2011

Guys, hoping I am using this thread properly. I am a new member and looking for a operation and/or owners manual for a 1974 26' Ranger sailboat. Just purchased it and have plenty of work to do. I noticed a thread in the past of the same request but I guess I'm to old to figure how to retrieve that info. Thanks in advance for your help.

beanctr56 · #2 11-07-2011

Is this the Gary Mull Ranger 26? I had a 1973 at one time which I restored. I had a manual but if I remember right there was not much to it. I might have a copy I'll check.
Any specific questions?

Rick

bikersander · #3 11-08-2011

Thanks for reply, I have to check the title, which I'll have tomorrow. Everyone refers to it as a Ranger. The shipyard where it is stored said they would rig it in the spring, which is half the battle. Being a novice, I'm just trying to get as much info as I can so possibly I can divert any disasters.

Faster · #4 11-08-2011

There are 2 "rangers".. one the California built Mull design referred to above, the other a WA built (known as 'Kent Rangers") that are quite different boats, esp the 26ers.

The Mull boat is a great little racer/cruiser that is one of those PHRF 'sleepers' and can really do well in a mixed fleet.

The first two images in this search shows the difference.

ranger 26 - Google Search

bikersander · #5 11-08-2011

Ok that really helped out. It is a Ranger 26" (Mull). Great picture by-the-way.
I hope it is a common boat. The owner before me said he raced it and it performed very well.

CalebD · #6 11-08-2011

A fellow at our club has a Mull Ranger 26' and likes it very much. He had an outboard engine on the stern for an auxiliary. I'm not crazy about outboards but I understand that not having an inboard engine gives the boat a lot more interior cabin space.
It seems like a great 'big' little boat.

Jeff_H · #7 11-08-2011

I have always liked these boats and their smaller sister the Ranger 23 which was an amazingly good sailing boat for its day, and not to shabby today. These are great boats to learn to sail on offering a nice ballance between being responsive yet having no bad habits.

Jeff

CalebD · #8 11-08-2011

There is a Ranger 23' in our PHRF racing fleet that is captained by a sly old fox who is nearly 90 that routinely beats us in our nearly identically rated boat. I credit the captain for his tactics but the Ranger 23' is certainly up to the task of besting bigger boats in a race. When we beat him we know we have done pretty well.

Faster · #9 11-08-2011

...and now it appears there's a 3rd R26.... from the image search above, looks like South American and looks interesting:

Ficha tcnica

BigZ · #10 11-08-2011

I've got a pdf file of a R26 manual, but as others have said, it really doesn't offer too much. PM me if you'd like a copy.
What type of work do you need to do on your boat? For the most part most mods or repair techniques apply to all boats. There are only a few tips that are boat specific.