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posted to rec.boats.cruising
Gary
 
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Default Absolute must read!

Jonathan Ganz wrote:
In article kBbGf.461816$2k.188693@pd7tw1no,
Gary wrote:

How about an example rather than just a rant. I find them informative
and interesting even if I don't always agree. Their assessment of my
old Ranger 26 was at odds with what I thought but I enjoyed the read.



I don't think this particular sockpuppet is up for much more.

How did you like the Ranger? Anything interesting you can share would
be appreciated, since it's one of the boats we're considering for our
program.


I loved that little Ranger. I think Gary Mull was ahead of his time
when he designed it. The little beauty sailed like a charm. It was
fast and had all the tweaks that anyone could want. The trick was to
keep it flat because it wiped out pretty quick after about 15 degrees of
heel. Even I won races in it.

The interior was spartan but functional. My wife and I had many happy
cruises in it for about a week at a time. It was very robust but it did
have a bit of wet core in the deck and around the chain plates. It was
a 72 and had been raced for a long time. I owned it in 2002. The lack
of bridge deck was a concern because I once laid it right down
(spinnaker round up) and had water coming over the side and right down
into the boat.....not good.

The other issue was the sloppy rudder bearing that I kept tightening
with slices of a plastic milk carton.

I was a great boat to sail on. I loved the instant feedback whenever we
changed trim or sail shape. A great learning boat and it is a good
looking boat.