[SloopJonB]

I'm currently boat shopping and am considering a scruffy one of these. Has a newer Perkins 3 cyl. and the mast step/rigging anchor piece is being replaced with a nicely made new one. The strut rods for the chain plates don't seem as intrusive as they appear in pics.

I have always liked the looks of these boats - that Mull bubble deck gives most of a flush deck but still has headroom below. The stern doesn't seem IOR contorted or overly pin tailed.

I'd appreciate any experienced info/opinion re: their performance, handling and so forth.

 

[gedaggett]

I can give you some thoughts on the Ranger Line but not that specific boat. I have had experience with the 29, 33 and 37. The boats are built very solidly and for the most part Mull designs are well balanced and can handle more than you think at first glance. The fit and finish on them is rather simple but in my opinion it makes the boat fairly no hassle. The Hull and decks seem to hold up pretty well so long as they have not gotten too wet. They used Plywood core for the decks. The tiller and rudder setup is one of the only things that I think could have been designed a little better. There is a Fiber reinforced Phenolic flange on the top side that will wear over the 40 years the boats have been sailing and need to be replaced (see picture below of one I replaced on a Ranger 29 Also did one for a 37).

The boats were fairly competitive in their day as club racers with the right crew and strategy. There is an R33 in Chicago that is still kicking butt and taking names on Wednesday nights on a regular basis.

The boats are built to take some abuse. I have routinely had the R29 in our fleet out in Great Lakes 6-7 footers (which are short wave length and steep) and she handles it. Not the most comfortable but not many boats are in those conditions. They are fairly easy to sail and can be well balanced with the right combination of sails and knowledge of the boat.

In my opinion the Ranger Line of boats is one of the better groups to come out of the 70's and still look good on the water today and kept in good condition will get you where you want to go safely and in relative comfort.

Hope that helps.

 

[Boatsmith]

I also raced considerable on a R33 in So Call in the 90's. Won the Cat Island series overall one year. Narrow boat, did very well in light air. Was named Vroom. Many pleasant memories.

 

[krisscross]

Ranger 32 is likely one of the best boats in the Ranger line, with better then average build quality and very good design. I almost bought one of them a while back. They are relatively rare on the market. It is a fast, stiff boat that can potentially be raced and cruised offshore.