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Ranger 20 vs Sea Pearl 21
A round 1 mini-cruiser madness match-up.
Oh boy, talk about a battle of titans! We could make a case for either of these two boats winning the whole contest. But that’s not how the cutthroat single-elimination world of Mini-Cruiser Madness works. So vote now and let’s send a really good boat design home.
Some might find the lines of the Ranger 20 appealing, but we certainly didn’t. However once we’d sailed one and the “form-follows-function genius” of designer Ray Richards came into focus, the Ranger became a favorite. On performance we wrote:
“We fell off and were quickly underway. Our first impression—and one that lasted—was that the Ranger felt bigger than her 1500 pounds. She came through tacks with authority, and crew movement while under sail had only minor effect. She was also an upright sailer. No doubt her rail might be forced down if she were really pressed, but the Ranger seemed to firm up nicely at less than 15 degrees. Helm balance was very light with only a touch of weather. She pointed well, tacking in about 90 degrees.
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No (Kent) Ranger 20 owners here?
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I know there's a Yahoo group, but it isn't real active. And the original owners group is defunct. The little Kent Ranger is a great day sailer and we've been really enjoying it. I wonder if there are any here who would share tips & tricks that have helped with their R20? I can start with one. My rudder was waterlogged and heavy, and I wished for a kick-up blade like I had on my sailing dinghies. So I had a rudder and tiller package made for me by Rudder Craft last year. It's a huge improvement over the original, in both performance and ease of use. I no longer have to wrestle with installing the rudder at the ramp, and that saves time when launching. Makes maneuvering with the outboard easier with the blade up too. I know some owners do multi-day trips with their R20. We haven't tried that yet, but we're wanting to outfit it with that in mind. Anyone here done the same?
Very distinctive (dare I say 'cute'?) boat you have. And a relative rarity to be sure. Your rudder mod sounds like just the thing.. well done.
Steve I live in Boise and Just bought an old Ranger 20. I need some instruction on stepping mast and rigging - do you now where I could get a manual? Let's get together. John
John, sorry I didn't see this sooner! Been busy here - and sailing. I probably can help you with documentation and would be glad to get with you for some sailing or even just familiarization of the boat. Let's see if we can PM some contact info....
Sent you PM and email, John. Looking forward to your call.
Hello everybody, I am currently looking at a Ranger 20 (for a first time boat). It has a few holes near the bow and rail where it appears brackets were screwed in. The owner says it has been that way for the past five years since they've had it. It has been moored outside, and I am having trouble finding information on the deck construction for these. Were these decks cored or solid fiber glass? Any information you have would be greatly appreciated!
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- Sailboat Guide
Ranger 20 is a 20 ′ 0 ″ / 6.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Raymond Richards and built by Ranger Fiberglass Boats (USA) starting in 1972.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
Later built by Intermountain Design of Utah, USA.
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Newport 16, Mariner 19 or Ranger 20?
- Thread starter Bob Kessler
- Start date Feb 18, 2022
- Forums for All Owners
- Trailer Sailors
Bob Kessler
I'm in the market for something 16-19 feet. All three of these seem to be fairly seaworthy for coastal Lake Michigan voyages. The Ranger and the Mariner would certainly stave off 'two-foot-itis' (for a while). But the Newport/Gloucester 16 seems to be a little simpler when it comes to rigging (just looking at online images) Is that a worthwhile advantage over what you wouldn't be getting in the other two? I'm not concerned about seating numbers or sleeping more than 2 aboard.
Assuming you will be trailering the boat the simpler rigging would be a worthy advantage. I started sailing via dry sailing a MFG Bandit 15, and sometimes the setup wasn't worth the time sailing. You will develop a sense of when there is wind and more importantly when there isn't. I didn't look that closely at the three boats but I thought they were similar in rigging. The Newport is about half the displacement of the Ranger. A boat with more ballast will be more stable and better suited to bigger water. They are all what I consider daysailer (s) but I'm sure someone has done camping type cruises in each. The Mariner has a class associate (Still active I think but I didn't check) and a large number of builds. That is always better to buy into. I've seen many Mariners and its sister ship the Rhodes 19. Not sure I've ever seen a Ranger 20 or Newport 16.
Com-Pac Yachts: Trailerable Cat Boats, Trailerable Cruisers, and Cruising Sailboats
Rhodes 22 - Practical Sailor
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The Ranger 20 is a 20.0ft fractional sloop designed by Raymond Richards and built in fiberglass since 1972.
600 units have been built..
The Ranger 20 is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.
See all sailboats designed by Raymond Richards
Ranger 20 for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
| Model | Ranger 20 | ||
| Length | 20 ft | ||
| Beam | 7.87 ft | ||
| Draft | 1.87 ft | ||
| Country | ?? | ||
| Estimated price | $ 0 | ?? |
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| Sail area / displ. | 23.33 | ||
| Ballast / displ. | 36.67 % | ||
| Displ. / length | 163.49 | ||
| Comfort ratio | 8.63 | ||
| Capsize | 2.75 |
| Hull type | Monohull keel with centerboard | ||
| Construction | Fiberglass | ||
| Waterline length | 16 ft | ||
| Maximum draft | 3.08 ft | ||
| Displacement | 1500 lbs | ||
| Ballast | 550 lbs | ||
| Hull speed | 5.36 knots |
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
| Rigging | Fractional Sloop | ||
| Sail area (100%) | 191 sq.ft | ||
| Air draft | 0 ft | ?? | |
| Sail area fore | 102.34 sq.ft | ||
| Sail area main | 90 sq.ft | ||
| I | 23.58 ft | ||
| J | 8.68 ft | ||
| P | 22.50 ft | ||
| E | 8 ft |
| Nb engines | 1 | ||
| Total power | 0 HP | ||
| Fuel capacity | 0 gals |
Accommodations
| Water capacity | 0 gals | ||
| Headroom | 0 ft | ||
| Nb of cabins | 0 | ||
| Nb of berths | 0 | ||
| Nb heads | 0 |
Builder data
| Builder | ?? | ||
| Designer | Raymond Richards | ||
| First built | 1972 | ||
| Last built | 0 | ?? | |
| Number built | 600 |
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Dec 7, 2009 · I have looking for a small boat for daysailing in open water and ran across the Kent Ranger 20. It has a keel/centerboard so should be stiff, but not too hard to trailer launch. It also has positive floatation. I do not need a high performance boat, just something safe and reasonable.
A sail area/displacement ratio below 16 would be considered under powered; 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance; above 20 suggests relatively high performance.
Apr 24, 2016 · the ranger 20 with only a couple feet shorter and a sturdy design decent phrf rating may fit my budget and needs.
Jan 13, 2019 · I just purchased a Ranger 20 11/18. Hull #194. Looks like a great boat. I am going through the boat. cleaning it up and checking it out. I have just started...
Dec 22, 2022 · On accommodations: “In many ways, the Ranger is a boat without pretensions. The open cabin provides plenty of one of the most important camp-cruising commodities—space. The Ranger offers 52" of headroom from the peak of the hard cabintop to the cabin sole.
May 6, 2015 · I am currently looking at a Ranger 20 (for a first time boat). It has a few holes near the bow and rail where it appears brackets were screwed in. The owner says it has been that way for the past five years since they've had it.
Ranger 20 is a 6.1 m monohull sailboat designed by Raymond Richards and built by Ranger Fiberglass Boats (USA) starting in 1972. The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement.
Feb 18, 2022 · Not sure I've ever seen a Ranger 20 or Newport 16. I'd throw the Compac 16 (or any of the com pac boats) and the Rhodes 22 into your mix of contenders. The Com-Pac line of sailboats covers a wide range of sizes from a 14-foot day sailer to a 35-foot bluewater sailing cruiser.
The Ranger 20 is a 20.0ft fractional sloop designed by Raymond Richards and built in fiberglass since 1972. 600 units have been built. The Ranger 20 is a light sailboat which is a very high performer.
Does anyone have experience with the Ranger 20 (Ranger Yachts, Kent Wa.)? I am considering buying one for lake sailing, and wondered about other sailers' experiences. Thanks, Cherie Too.