2022 Ranger Tugs R-43 Sedan

That nostalgic tug-like look of Ranger Tugs has always struck an emotional chord with mariners, but when it comes to the all-new R-43, you’ll find that this boat gets your heart pumping full tilt for a slew of different reasons. How many “tug” boats have a pair of private staterooms with en-suite heads and showers, queen berths, HDTVs, and USB charging ports? How many have a luxury salon with a wine chiller, multiple settees and a leather recliner, and two dining areas? How many enjoy joystick steering at both the helm and in the cockpit? Not only can you count how many are out there on one hand, you can count ‘em on one finger.

Before we move on from those joystick controls: Twin IPS pod drives ensure excellent handling and maneuverability wherever you may be steering from, and the boat also performs one heck of a lot better than the tugs of yore. The R-43 cruises at over 20 knots and tops out at around 25 knots. That’s certainly not speed demon territory, but it’s also by design. The R-43 rides on a semi-displacement hull to provide slow speed efficiency as well as the ability to goose the throttles now and again. If you ease those throttles back to a mellow cruise of around seven knots, you’ll burn a mere two gallons per hour and enjoy a range pushing close to 1000 miles. 

Even though Ranger Tugs has a lot more room to work with in the R-43 as compared to their smaller offerings, you’ll still discover the innovative use of available space that this builder is known for. Under the dinette, for example, on most boats of this size there will be storage or belowdecks cabin space. In this case, however, swing up the dinette and you’ll discover a utility room with a washer and dryer. And they’re full-sized units, not those mini-appliances that can barely handle more than a swim suit and a pair of socks. Additional examples abound: the saloon TV is integrated into a countertop and rises up at the press of a button, the circular shower stall door slides flush with the head bulkhead to open up the entire area for additional elbow room when the shower isn’t in use, and in the forward stateroom you’ll discover a nook is carved out to port of the berth to create a workspace with a desk and drawer.