About to Purchase 2017 Ranger Tug 31CB

[Bobby P.]

We head to Pensacola this weekend to inspect and survey a 31CB. We have a contract signed and going through the steps... Emile at Edgewater (Moderntugs) has been great to work with.

We will walk-through and inspect this weekend, and Monday survey. We are having the boat put in the water tomorrow, engines heated up, and oil pulled for analysis. We will do survey in the water, sea trial, then complete survey out of the water to inspect bottom and running gear.

Any suggestions? Are we missing anything? It's getting close and we are excited and nervous.

Bobby

 

[captstu]

While you are waiting, take the Florida Boating Safety class. Save some money on your insurance and might keep you safe.

https://www.boatus.org/florida/


Stuart Bell
Ranger 25: Shearwater
(561) 352-1796

 

[Bobby P.]

Thanks, but I am bringing her back to Baltimore.

 

[BradN]

Bobby- since you are a trawler guy, the handling aspects will probably come easy for you. I would have asked more about the location of the water lines (I have a leak I need to track down in my fresh water system, suspect it's near the aft outside shower) and accessing/replacing the shear pins on the thrusters. I just blew one on my bow thruster. Also, switching from shore power to generator and using the inverter. Of course my R31 CB is a 2013, a bit older than yours. Spend as much time with Carl as you can- he really knows those boats. And don't eat at the Florabama Grill! The restaurant at their marina is pretty decent. Good luck, and have fun!

Brad

 

[Heronboy]

Besides the usual things during a survey (check for signs of leaks, turn everything on and make sure is runs, etc.), unique to the 31 I would:

1. Make sure the steering system is full of fluid (check at the upper helm, the lower will squirt out). Our 2018 had a slow leak at the fittings on the rudder cylinder. Now it needs to be blee to remove the air that is trapped.

2. Check that the primary bilge pump works. We have been through two, both times they stuck on due to zip tie tails caught in the impeller (they are floatless types) and burned out.

3. Ensure all the helm instrument covers are included. All the instruments at booths helms have covers.

4. See if the spot light had water infiltration. It’s not a great light so if it has leaked (as ours has) it could be a bargaining point.

5. Check to see the goofy plastic panels for the shower are there. I have been tempted to remove mine but that would require a bit more wall drying/wipe down after a shower. If they are there at least it is your choice.

6. The propane locker on the swim platform is nice but it can’t keep out all the salt water. Check the steel tanks and brass lines for excessive corrosion.

Hope that helps.

 

[BradN]

Although it will probably be warm there, make sure you open the valves that circulate the engine coolant to the water heater and cabin heater. I did not do that, and the first time I opened them, my low coolant alarm came on. Had a leak at the water heater connection.

 

[Bobby P.]

Thanks for the great tips. I'm keeping a list of things to check. Appreciate the guidance very much.
Thanks,
Bobby

 

[Bobby P.]

Hey Folks,

Flew into Pensacola at 10:30 am and arrived at Edgewater at 11:30. Met Tripp (Broker) and Carl (don't know his title, but he knows the boats and seems to be exceptionally good at what he does).

Carl spent a lot of time with us answering all questions and giving us the ins and outs. My wife, impromptu, asked if we could sea trial (I thought we were doing that on Monday, after the Survey). Carl said absolutely. We had some lunch at the restaurant on site (the Oyster Bar(which was great), and then went on a sea trial.

It was very windy with a strong running tide, which was great, cause I wanted to see how the boat really performed.

Carl piloted her out through a very tight slip arrangement, with wind, etc., allowing me to see the usefulness of bow and stern thrusters. After running me through the systems, I took the helm. We cruised at trawler speed for awhile, then I put her on plane. She performed very well in the chop and took some rolling water from other vessels pretty well. I expected her to be more tender, but to my surprise, she wasn't far off of what we experience on our 36' Albin (about to be for sale, if anyone is interested...)

What we liked so far:

Performance. Gets up on plane quickly. Cruises at hull speed or trawler speed very comfortably.
Layout. It's a 2017 CB, so it has the hard top over the aft. This allows for seating for six up top, along with options for carrying kayaks or whatever. We come from a flybridge boat, so the space up top is important to us.
Condition. Boat is very clean. Gelcoat all in very good condition. Boat was detailed very nicely and shows very well. If you didn't know it, you'd think she's brand new.

We will have the survey on Monday. The things we caught so far are:
1. There seems to be some water infiltration above the day head where it makes the rounded corner. This has caused some staining of the fussy wall carpet. Don't know if this is from a stantion that needs re-bedding or a screw from the teak steps. Or water working in form somewhere else.
2. The bedroom closet door is slightly warped, so it will not close and catch shut.
3. The bottom has never been painted. We are on the Chesapeake bay and would plan to keep her in the water, so that needs to be addressed.

Full survey is on Monday morning. I had oil analysis pulled the other day, so that will also be back on Monday.

BTW, the Ranger grey hull is very stealthy. Nice on the eyes ; )

 

[quinsky]

Bobby,
Thanks for sharing your experience. (Cathy and I were looking at your boat when you arrived.) We are also interested in a RT31. I am in the process of listing my 2013 C28 ( anyone interested?). One question I have is whether a command bridge is a big advantage. I'm a little intimidated by it since I plan to trailer the boat. I also have a Yakima rooftop cargo box that I am planning to keep and put on a new boat.I don't see a place to put it on the CB. I know this is a subjective issue but I'm interested in your thoughts.
Thanks and hope all goes well with the survey.