GROUPTEST


Handy features include the sink and fridge on deck


The aft cockpit is spacious but spartan with just a bare teak bench to perch on


The twin cuddy is a proper space that’s actually useable


The Ranger looks after its occupants with an impressive amount of protection for an open boat


SPEC UP Our pick of the


must-have options D4 300HP ENGINE +


GREY HULL + 4G RADAR + ELECTRIC ANCHOR WINCH + SUSPENDED HELM SEAT


Even the way the Ranger 25 looks simply drips with ability; the


battleship-grey colouring, substantial rubber buffer that wraps around the boat’s perimeter, the network of solid railings that keep you safe in the cockpit and the central radar arch, all hint that the Ranger is going to keep you and your crew safe and secure. Like the Axopar, you step down into the helm position, which


allows the already tall windscreen to give you even more protection. The dash itself is close to the seat and upright, which puts the wheel, throttles and rocker switches right in front of your chest, while the chartplotter and engine information screen sit higher up but angled towards you. It’s a simple, unfussy layout that befi ts the boat’s turn key nature. This is a boat built for archipelago island-hopping that is sure to get you from A to B even in the rough stuff; it doesn’t need to be packed with fl ourishes, it just needs to work and it does. Like the Axopar, you have three


Real teak deck adds warmth and class


forward facing seats behind the two main helm chairs but the aft cockpit isn’t half as clever. It’s fi ne for fi shing or getting skis on but the only place to sit is a rather hard transom bench.


Tall, wraparound screen and coamings create a very safe, well protected inner cockpit


For socialising you will fi nd yourself sitting in the central inner


cockpit area, with the two helm seats swivelled around to meet the teak table that slots between the two rows of seats.


PACKED WITH FEATURES The Ranger, at £132,625 with this engine, is the most expensive boat here, but then you are getting the most boat for your money. You have the long-range cruising capability of a single diesel engine on a sterndrive, the largest fuel tank, a proper twin cuddy with a pop-out loo and heating, then, on deck, you get a fridge and a sink with hot and cold running water. The Ranger 25 may look pricey in this company but it is the most capable and could take you the furthest. It may not be the new kid on the block, nor is it a blistering speed machine but I couldn’t have cared less when the going got rough. Jack Haines Contact Offshore Powerboats. Tel: +44 (0)1590 977955 Web: www.paragonyachts.se


SHOREPOWER TEAK DECKS


SIMRAD 4G RADAR


THE DATA


SPECIFICATIONS PRICE FROM inc UK VAT VOLVO D4 225hp VOLVO D4 260hp VOLVO D4 300hp


£125,899 std


£129,349 £132,625


£1,825 £7,012 £2,400


UPGRADE TO 12IN PLOTTER £687 GREY HULL COLOUR


£1,825 ELECTRIC ANCHOR WINCH £3,875 MAY2015 59


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14