littlepati
Active Member
Just wondering what these ranger/channel 245 are like to live with sail etc. They get decent reviews. Cheers
What do the owners think of these ranger/channel 245
- Thread starter littlepati
- Start date
John_Silver
Well-Known Member
Owned “Missee Lee,” a Ranger 245 for 6 or 7 years in the early noughties. She made a good stepping stone from dinghies to cruising boats. A lot of space for her length and predictable sailing manners. Bilge keels made her good for exploring the Suffolk Rivers and nosing around in Belgian waters. Later, when we moved to Poole, she was ideal for exploring the shallower parts of the harbour.
She really needed a force four to get going properly (Sail area to displacement ratio 14). And in more than 20 knots of wind her shoal draft told against her: despite a 40% ballast ratio, there simply wasn’t enough righting moment to carry the canvas required to get upwind in the resulting sea state. For local pottering this wasn’t an issue. For passage making, it meant picking your weather window carefully.
As well as crossing to Belgium (hopping from the Orwell to Ramsgate, to Dunkerque, to Nieuwpoort), I sailed her from the Orwell to Poole (day hopping round over a leisurely 3 week cruise); and from Poole cruised to the West Country and Channel Islands. She was easy to single hand. Due to her length, her average cruising speed was around 3.5 knots - so it takes a while to get anywhere, even with use of the Scooper ( cruising chute) once off the wind.
Build quality may vary - some are home finished. Fit out below also varies as the 245 to Channel transition occurred as Hunter Boats was bought up by Cornish Crabbers. Missee Lee was a Hunter built boat and was simply made to what I’d now see as a “good enough” standard - by which I mean looks a bit lightweight in hindsight, but it all seemed to work (including the fuel tank made from a plastic jerrycan with a takeoff fibreglassed onto it 10mm from the bottom). Slight weep from the starboard chainplate, was the extent of issues when I sold her to move onto 31 - 2 foot boats with 5 - 6 knot cruising speeds....
She really needed a force four to get going properly (Sail area to displacement ratio 14). And in more than 20 knots of wind her shoal draft told against her: despite a 40% ballast ratio, there simply wasn’t enough righting moment to carry the canvas required to get upwind in the resulting sea state. For local pottering this wasn’t an issue. For passage making, it meant picking your weather window carefully.
As well as crossing to Belgium (hopping from the Orwell to Ramsgate, to Dunkerque, to Nieuwpoort), I sailed her from the Orwell to Poole (day hopping round over a leisurely 3 week cruise); and from Poole cruised to the West Country and Channel Islands. She was easy to single hand. Due to her length, her average cruising speed was around 3.5 knots - so it takes a while to get anywhere, even with use of the Scooper ( cruising chute) once off the wind.
Build quality may vary - some are home finished. Fit out below also varies as the 245 to Channel transition occurred as Hunter Boats was bought up by Cornish Crabbers. Missee Lee was a Hunter built boat and was simply made to what I’d now see as a “good enough” standard - by which I mean looks a bit lightweight in hindsight, but it all seemed to work (including the fuel tank made from a plastic jerrycan with a takeoff fibreglassed onto it 10mm from the bottom). Slight weep from the starboard chainplate, was the extent of issues when I sold her to move onto 31 - 2 foot boats with 5 - 6 knot cruising speeds....
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littlepati
Active Member
Thanks for the reply john. It seems you enjoyed your ownership. If you don't mind me asking what did you move up to. Cheer
John_Silver
Well-Known Member
After Missee Lee I bought an Elan 31, Goblin. She sailed fantastically - got going in 8 knots true but got a bit wayward (when sailing solo) in over 22 knots. Build quality left quite a bit to be desired and after sales back up was poor. She could cruise averaging 5 to 6 knots though, which (from Poole) put the delights of North Brittany in range for fortnight cruises and Cherbourg for Bank Holiday weekends. And she felt about the right size for comfortable singlehanding whilst having enough space below to make longer cruises attractive. If only she had been better built.......
I quickly (after 3 years) replaced her with my current boat, Stargazer of Poole. She is a Hallberg Rassy 310. Sails like a dream - in anything from 8 to around 27 knots true. She is built to a high standard. Transworld Yachts (UK agent) and the yard in Sweden are happy to be contacted about upkeep or spares - although little communication has been required because Stargazer had no commissioning issues (unlike Missee Lee or Goblin). Together we've cruised (so far) from the Friesan Islands to the north, out to Ireland in the west and down through Biscay. After eleven years of ownership I'm still delighted with her.
I quickly (after 3 years) replaced her with my current boat, Stargazer of Poole. She is a Hallberg Rassy 310. Sails like a dream - in anything from 8 to around 27 knots true. She is built to a high standard. Transworld Yachts (UK agent) and the yard in Sweden are happy to be contacted about upkeep or spares - although little communication has been required because Stargazer had no commissioning issues (unlike Missee Lee or Goblin). Together we've cruised (so far) from the Friesan Islands to the north, out to Ireland in the west and down through Biscay. After eleven years of ownership I'm still delighted with her.
littlepati
Active Member
Looking to upgrade at some point this year. Halberg Rassey is a pipe dream but very nice all the same.
John_Silver
Well-Known Member
Good luck with your search. May the new boat bring you joy!
littlepati
Active Member
Thanks John hope I can sail as you have done far and wide .Regards simon
