I am considering the purchase of a Ranger 26 for use on inland lakes which traditionally feature light wind conditions. I need a boat which sails well in light air. Any advice from Ranger 26 owners on how well the 26 sails under these conditions? Thank you. Mark
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It's a Ranger so you'll be fine
Hi Mark, Now to be honest I've never sailed on an R-26, though I do own a R-28. Quite different boats to be sure but .... They're both designed by Gary Mull. Enough said right there. For straight ahead sailing, you cannot go wrong with a Mull design. (Unless of course you're looking for a "sleeps 15, 2 heads, center cockpit, gin palace") A friend of mine here in Sidney (PNW, Victoria, Gulf Islands) sails a 26 and he's consistently in the top numbers of most of the local races, and often crosses the line far ahead of the larger boats, let alone any corrected time issues. Summer winds here are definitely light and he seems to have no problem, even with the tides. Winter can be more blowy, and he still does fine. From what I can tell, the 26 is a smaller version of the 29 & 33, both of which are great all arounds. Sail condition may be the greatest concern as far as light wind speed goes. Where are you? i.e what lakes? Or at least what size of lakes are you looking at? What are other people sailing there? cheers jcm
Hi Mark, Now to be honest I've never sailed on an R-26, though I do own a R-28. Quite different boats to be sure but .... They're both designed by Gary Mull. Enough said right there. For straight ahead sailing, you cannot go wrong with a Mull design. (Unless of course you're looking for a "sleeps 15, 2 heads, center cockpit, gin palace") A friend of mine here in Sidney (PNW, Victoria, Gulf Islands) sails a 26 and he's consistently in the top numbers of most of the local races, and often crosses the line far ahead of the larger boats, let alone any corrected time issues. Summer winds here are definitely light and he seems to have no problem, even with the tides. Winter can be more blowy, and he still does fine. From what I can tell, the 26 is a smaller version of the 29 & 33, both of which are great all arounds. Sail condition may be the greatest concern as far as light wind speed goes. Where are you? i.e what lakes? Or at least what size of lakes are you looking at? What are other people sailing there? cheers jcm
The sailing capital of...well, nowhere...
Thank you Craig. I am writing from the sailing capital of..well, nowhere...Nashville, TN, USA. J Percy Priest Lake to be exact where there is not a lot of room to roam. For that reason, I will do mostly day sailing so you are absolutely correct about the creature comforts, I have no need for them with the possible exception of the "gin" part of the "palace". The size and type of boat already on the lake is pretty varying. Of the size that I am interested in, there are a number of S26's, Cal 25's, and all sizes of Hunter. The research I have done on Rangers is that they are well built boats and apparently, this "Mull-guy" knows a thing or two about boat design! I will have my family aboard pretty often as well so a large cockpit clear of too many lines is important to me. This boat seems to meet that need pretty well. I would likely look to add a bimini to keep the sun off my little-one...any problem you are aware of with doing that? Thanks again for the feedback. Mark
Thank you Craig. I am writing from the sailing capital of..well, nowhere...Nashville, TN, USA. J Percy Priest Lake to be exact where there is not a lot of room to roam. For that reason, I will do mostly day sailing so you are absolutely correct about the creature comforts, I have no need for them with the possible exception of the "gin" part of the "palace". The size and type of boat already on the lake is pretty varying. Of the size that I am interested in, there are a number of S26's, Cal 25's, and all sizes of Hunter. The research I have done on Rangers is that they are well built boats and apparently, this "Mull-guy" knows a thing or two about boat design! I will have my family aboard pretty often as well so a large cockpit clear of too many lines is important to me. This boat seems to meet that need pretty well. I would likely look to add a bimini to keep the sun off my little-one...any problem you are aware of with doing that? Thanks again for the feedback. Mark
Thanks Mark for the additional info
I will echo PalaceGrand's comments as I race an old ('69) Tartan 27 in a division with a Ranger 26 on the Hudson River off Nyack, NY and that boat does quite well usually. Granted, we have a PHRF of 240 compared to whatever the Ranger has but another Ranger 23' with the same PHRF rating as us seems to consistently beat us. I think it is the elder captain of Ranger 23' that makes the difference. I have never been aboard the Ranger 26' but the guy at our club races his single handed sometimes. It seems to be a good boat with decent cockpit space for a family. As far as installing a Bimini on her that should not be a problem. Money and time solve every problem. Money can also solve the problem of not having a 'drifter' (big, lightweight jib) or asymmetrical spinnaker if you will be sailing in really light wind conditions. Used sails can be had at lower prices too that will fit your boat. I like the Ranger sailboats I have raced against (could you tell?). I think it is a good choice of boat and hope you will enjoy it.
I will echo PalaceGrand's comments as I race an old ('69) Tartan 27 in a division with a Ranger 26 on the Hudson River off Nyack, NY and that boat does quite well usually. Granted, we have a PHRF of 240 compared to whatever the Ranger has but another Ranger 23' with the same PHRF rating as us seems to consistently beat us. I think it is the elder captain of Ranger 23' that makes the difference. I have never been aboard the Ranger 26' but the guy at our club races his single handed sometimes. It seems to be a good boat with decent cockpit space for a family. As far as installing a Bimini on her that should not be a problem. Money and time solve every problem. Money can also solve the problem of not having a 'drifter' (big, lightweight jib) or asymmetrical spinnaker if you will be sailing in really light wind conditions. Used sails can be had at lower prices too that will fit your boat. I like the Ranger sailboats I have raced against (could you tell?). I think it is a good choice of boat and hope you will enjoy it.
Great light air boat
Mark,
The R-26 is very good in light air. I race every weekend here in Sarasota Florida. The summer winds are sea breeze driven and are light to moderate, 5 -10 knots. We are always at the head of the fleet in these conditions. As long as the bottom is clean and you've got decent sails you will be very hard to beat on your ratings in any air from 5 - 15 knots.
Mark,
The R-26 is very good in light air. I race every weekend here in Sarasota Florida. The summer winds are sea breeze driven and are light to moderate, 5 -10 knots. We are always at the head of the fleet in these conditions. As long as the bottom is clean and you've got decent sails you will be very hard to beat on your ratings in any air from 5 - 15 knots.
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