Cruising Offshore with a Ranger 32

[tofuman]

Hi,
I am considering a Gary Mull designed Ranger 32 (not the more common Ranger 33) to sail from L.A. to Hawaii. They appear to be well built but definitely a racing hull with storage limitations. Unfortunately,this one is also equipted with an atomic 4. Any opinions out there? There doesn't seem to be much information out there on this particular Ranger.
thanks

[GordMay]

Gary Mull in retrospect - See Good Old Boat magazine, November 2002:
Gary Mull in retrospect

And:
RANGER 32

[svHyLyte]

I suggest you obtain a copy of Fastnet Force 10 and read through it, and particularly the chapters on Grimalkin and Ariadne (same hull/rig design); than take a look at C.A. Marchaj's "Seaworthiness--The Forgotten Factor".

It isn't the getting to Hawaii that's an issue; its the getting back.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte

[tofuman]

I'll definitely check out the your recommendations. It would be a one way trip. I live in Hawaii and would probably not sail it back to the mainland.
thanks

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Tofuman,
Many Ranger 33s have made it to Hawaii. I don't know how the 32 is different but it looks like the same hull.
The problem with any fin keel spade (or skeg) rudders is that there is a lot of downwind sailing from mainland to Hawaii. The rudder works hard from start to finish so it is a consideration. It must be in good condition and tight in its installation. It is always good to have an emergency backup idea for steering. I had a friend who broke his tiller on the trip around South Pt. on his Ranger 33. Each year there are many cruisers from the mainland who have rudder troubles within 200 to 400 miles of the Big Island.
I do like Rangers and I think that length of boat is ideal.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[West Coast Cat]

Just picked up on this thread, but a couple has sailed their Ranger 32 across most of the Pacific, see John and Heather's web site with their boat Dancyn
www.photosntravels.com/dancynhp/mission.html

[sugar and spice]

This reply is really late, but I have a 1974 Ranger 32, Hull number 54. This boat is a sledgehammer! I don't think you could hurt it if you tried. Its a great boat and even after 35 years she can still turn heads.....