High fuel costs? Try ‘tugging’ it

by Bob Wonders on 25 Aug 2008 High fuel costs have proven a bonanza for Ranger Tugs importer John Smale.

These neat little ‘throwbacks’ to an earlier age are winning hearts and minds across the nation as they ‘chug’ along using minimum fuel while offering comfort, safety and broad appeal.

Built in the US as a replica of Bristol Bay trawlers that have been a regular sight for more than 50-years, the 6.4-metre Ranger tug is powered by a 30hp Yanmar engine.

To fill its 68-litre fuel tank at current diesel prices will set one back about $120, but the exceptionally low consumption rate, about 2.0 to 3.0-litres per hour, makes this one of the most economical vessels on the market.

Smale has already sold 12 of the $94,000 tugboats across Australia.

He describes them as having ‘the romance of yesteryear.’

The Ranger tug was first sighted in Australia at the Rosehill Gardens Boat Show earlier this year.

It created interest right from the start.

Its appearance at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May resulted in one Queensland newspaper labelling the Ranger tug ‘the show stopper.’

At the recent Sydney International Boat Show, Smale had two of the vessels on display and was kept busy throughout the six-day exhibition shepherding interested visitors on and off the classic craft.

Next stop for the Ranger breed is the 48th Brisbane International Boat Show (August 27-31) and Smale is confident Queenslanders will again show as much interest in the tug as their southern neighbours.

“This is classic boating at its best,” Smale said. “All the comforts of home on board, outstanding build quality, a vessel to make your boating friends green with envy and fuel costs you can laugh at,” he added.

Now here’s some late news hot, as they say, off the presses – on the weekend, as Smale was moving his Ranger tug into the Brisbane Exhibition Centre, it was spotted by a gentleman who immediately signalled his interest.

He was treated to a brief inspection, told Smale he was unable to make it to the Brisbane show and handed over a cheque for $100,000 for an immediate purchase.

“That’s one down, how many to go?” said John Smale.

For information contact Ranger Tugs Australia, Tel: (02) 9872 4031.