PARAGON RANGER 25


The helm may be simple but it’s effective and easy to use


PRICE £136,625 TOP SPEED 34.3 KNOTS 0-30 KNOTS 9.94 SECS T


he Paragon Ranger 25 is not only the boat that’s been on the market the longest, it’s also the slowest. This became glaringly obvious as we charged towards the Needles and the other three, all capable of over 40 knots, careered away from me as the Paragon’s 300hp Volvo Penta D4 diesel engine maxed out at 34 knots.


But I wasn’t concerned about this because I was well aware of what


lay ahead: a steaming fl ood tide being pulled into horrible spiky troughs by a stiff breeze travelling in the opposite direction. This is where the Ranger 25 would make up the ground and fl ex its muscles. And that’s exactly what it did. The trio of rivals fared well enough in the confused chop fi lling Hurst Narrows but once we got out to the slam-dunkers by the Needles, the Paragon’s blade-sharp hull, with its 26° deadrise, extra weight and low-down diesel-fi red torque brought it barrelling to the front of the pack, where it stayed. Make no mistake, these were nasty conditions and the Ranger was


totally faultless. It was unfl ustered throughout and, despite the stiff breeze, took only a few light splashes of water on board, even with the white horses galloping menacingly from all angles. The Ranger looks after its occupants, not only in the way it handles


rough seas but by being cleverly designed and with an impressive amount of protection for an open boat. And remember, there is the original wheelhouse version too for those who want more shelter.


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