Best color for a ranger

[stwendl]

Of course there are two threads to this, one is aesthetic and one practical.

While red is probably the classic best looking choice in my opinion, what would the best color from a practical point of view.

Darker colors usual show water stains easier as the duality of dirt shows its nature where dirt is always white on dark surfaces and dark on white surfaces.

Darker colors also heat up the boat more.

Would be interested in some viewpoints of current owners about pros and cons of various colors

Just ordered a r27 and have not made up my mind on the color yet

 

[baz]

Forget about the 'classic' red..... and go for the modern up-to-date stylish Ranger Gray hull. IMO water marks are invisible. Red and White lettering for boat names, logos etc look absolutely awesome with the Ranger Gray background.

Red fades badly in the sun and exposed conditions. Green shows scuff marks easily as does blue.

Your choice is the important one.

Good luck in your color choice.

 

[knotflying]

We have the Laureen Green and couldn't be happier. You can't see scratches or salt build up. I do like the gray also.

 

[Brian B]

I have a blue hull. When I detail the boat it looks like new, for about 3 months in the NE. Color is definetly a personal choice but the darker colors are more work. I would prefer a white hull, too bad they don't make one.

 

[South lake]

The Get~Aweigh is Lauren Green and our granddaughter, Lauren, thinks we picked the color because it matched her name. Actually we picked the boat because it was the last "new" classic cabin we could find and color really didn't matter to us that much. The color still looks good to me after 400+ hours of use. Our friends Mike and Judy have a 2009 red that still looks new but that's because Mike keeps it that way. I just have never seen a bad color on a Ranger Tug.

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

I love my blue hull but it is more work. My port side gets the worst of the Florida sunshine because I don't want to be moored stern out. Too many people don't care what their wake does and the swim platform doesn't need the workout.
As noted above, about three months and it needs work again. Sometimes you just have to sweat for what you like!

Pat,
Ladybug, Too

 

[baz]

The auto makers these days allow you to build your own personal car on their web sites. There you can change all sorts of things, seat color, wheels, trim, body color, etc.

Maybe we can persuade Ranger Tugs to add a similar feature to their web site and allow us and potential customers to build your boat.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Asking which color for the Ranger is the best is like asking, "Which is prettiest: blonde, brunette, or redhead?"

And for the record, some are more "upkeep" than others. And that's all I'm sayin'. 😉

 

[stwendl]

Thanks to all for your responses. I think the reason colors can be chosen on cars is that they are much easier and Cheaper to put on as compared to gelcoat.

For the ranger, I think the color is part of the brand image and less changeable. You could probably not ask a car company the change the lines of the body as they are part of the model/brand image either.

I am merely interested in the benefits of either colors and so far got some good pointers. Keep it coming, I am sure will find this info useful as well

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Our Kismet is red and although to looks great after 4 years I can state, as pointed out, a dark color is more work. Dark colors generate more heat and therefore require more usage of ones air conditioner to keep the cabin cool, which does not make any difference if you're not getting air.

Jim

 

[Fishpants]

I'll be taking possession of a new 29s late next month, and have chosen Hero Red. Having been a sailor with a white boat, my maintenance schedule involved annual haul out for bottom paint and cleaning/waxing. Does having a shiny red boat mean more than annual haul out? (I would hope not...) What would be required to keep the exterior in good shape?

 

[baz]

Fishpants: That annual haul out sounds very excessive to me. I had a blue hull R-25 (Classic) for 6 years and it was kept in the salt water in a covered slip all year round. I hauled out just once at 3 yrs to have new bottom paint and a good hull waxing. I sold this R-25 earlier this year and the blue hull looked pristine and as good as new. With your Hero Red hull I would expect you will have no reason to haul out every year if kept in salt water and in a covered slip. The difficulty in keeping the hull paint looking clean and bright is made worse if the boat is always kept in water. If on a trailer, things are easier.

BTW... Congratulations on your new R-29s. I reviewed the first R-29s last year in Seattle and was VERY impressed with it. It's more modern style-wise than the traditional R-29 and R-31 models which people comment on.

What's your take on the R-29s not having the helm sliding door ?

 

[Fishpants]

The boat will be in the water year-round, and not in a boathouse. I was concerned about the red, as I have seen a couple that look faded and not very pretty. But that might just be poor overall maintenance. Still, this is the reason for my question. Great if I don't have to haul out yearly, but would like to know what would be best practice for keeping my new obsession in good shape without having to be down at the dock every week. (I'm exaggerating slightly...)

I'm very excited about this purchase, as I fell I love with this boat when I discovered it at the boat show last year. I now have to learn to ignore the financial reality of such an investment ;-)

As for the removal of the helm door, I have nothing to judge against, having come from a sailboat, but it seems like it would be extremely handy for bow or dock access. Not sure why they removed it, other than cost.

 

[baz]

If you want some advice on keeping the red hull in good condition PM trailertrawlerkismet who posted above as he has a R-27 with red hull.

I understand the absence of the helm door reduced the R-29s overall price by around $5000. There's much controversy about the helm door removal on the R-29s.

 

[coreychamness]

We have a Claret red R-31 and it is extremely difficult to keep oxidation at bay for very long. The hull itself does great. The worst on a 31 are the eyebrows fwd and the hardtop over the entrance. I can't recall if the 29s has the same.