Thinking of buying a Ranger Tug and wondering if there is any information on the construction process and materials used. I would think somewhere on the companies site there would be a factory video on this matter but I haven't found it yet. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Gary
Boat construction
- Thread starter ksmoth62
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davecook
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I have seen detailed pictures of Jim and Lisa Favors R29 ( KISMET ) being built at the factory . You should be able to search it .
If you where going to order a boat to be built , I would have a surveyor do inspections on it at the plant in different stages of completion - fiberglass hull , mechanical , electrical , plumbing , fit and finish . Maybe also an ABYC electrical pre inspection .
If you are buying in stock new , or used boats , hire the best surveyor you can . They are very complicated little boats ,and the components are tight together and hard to get at . Bob Daily did some good comments on fiberglass cored hulls ( and pictures ) and BB Marine posts are some of the best information out there . I loved my 2013 R27 I had ( should never sold it ) . Hope this helps
If you where going to order a boat to be built , I would have a surveyor do inspections on it at the plant in different stages of completion - fiberglass hull , mechanical , electrical , plumbing , fit and finish . Maybe also an ABYC electrical pre inspection .
If you are buying in stock new , or used boats , hire the best surveyor you can . They are very complicated little boats ,and the components are tight together and hard to get at . Bob Daily did some good comments on fiberglass cored hulls ( and pictures ) and BB Marine posts are some of the best information out there . I loved my 2013 R27 I had ( should never sold it ) . Hope this helps
Mr. Ed
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A gentleman named Barry Sharp posted up some of his R29CB: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1AGJDfWGGpTdYa
And Chip Hanauer (The Boat Guy) posted up a youtube video: https://youtu.be/UgZLLPncp40
And Chip Hanauer (The Boat Guy) posted up a youtube video: https://youtu.be/UgZLLPncp40
rpmerrill
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Here's a link to a good posting from a few years back.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7089&p=50436&hilit=Build+photos#p50436
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7089&p=50436&hilit=Build+photos#p50436
BB marine
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The general assembly of the boat is standard with all manufacturers. Electrical, plumbing, engine installation... The difference between one boat manufacture and another is the quality of products used, Resins, gelcoat, composite material verse wood, hardware, Hull construction and materials used ( solid, core mat, balsa or foam core. What type of backbone does the hull have? Stringer, solid bulkhead and fame construction or grid system. Many of us Tug and Cut owners have a general idea of the build. Unless you have the hands on experience of the day 1 start of the build to the boat rolling out of the building you don't have the full story.
This would be a good opportunity for the Factory to tell the story from mold to hull, the installation of the grid, hull construction, deck construction, where backing plates are installed, deck to hull matting......
I have seen a lot of pictures of the assembly of finished parts. It would be great to see and hear what goes into the complete build. No sales pitch, just the thought behind the design and the build. The building of a Ranger Tug, The building of a Cutwater. Told by the person that builds them!
This would be a good opportunity for the Factory to tell the story from mold to hull, the installation of the grid, hull construction, deck construction, where backing plates are installed, deck to hull matting......
I have seen a lot of pictures of the assembly of finished parts. It would be great to see and hear what goes into the complete build. No sales pitch, just the thought behind the design and the build. The building of a Ranger Tug, The building of a Cutwater. Told by the person that builds them!
Alpina
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Not sure it’s an option post-COVID but I went to see the factory in January and was given a tour. The only thing I would have done differently would have been to spend time on this forum so I knew what I should look for more closely and I should have taken pictures so I had documentation of the wiring, etc.
bob daily
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I can't talk for every Ranger Tug or Cutwater but for mine, a 2009 Ranger R21 EC it has a cored hull.
It is very well constructed, the bottom of the boat is approximate 3/4 in thick, the superstructure is about 1/4 in thick and is also cored. The core adds strength to the construction, but I don't know what material is used for the core. The fit and finish of fluid motions boats are well above average and very sea worthy. My only complaint would be the installed equipment! They are not what I would expect on a boat of this quality and many times it has been noted that installation is not in accordance with manufacturers recommend installation. There is a lot of little things that are missing from a boat of this quality, tank level gauges, trim tab indicators,rudder position indicators, etc. Over all it is a good quality boat but you will want to upgrade a lot of the installed equipment as you find better quality and longer life and more reliable items. I bought my tug used and the money I saved I have modified to my needs and liking. Would I buy another FM product YES, but I also would know that no product is perfect. Bob and
It is very well constructed, the bottom of the boat is approximate 3/4 in thick, the superstructure is about 1/4 in thick and is also cored. The core adds strength to the construction, but I don't know what material is used for the core. The fit and finish of fluid motions boats are well above average and very sea worthy. My only complaint would be the installed equipment! They are not what I would expect on a boat of this quality and many times it has been noted that installation is not in accordance with manufacturers recommend installation. There is a lot of little things that are missing from a boat of this quality, tank level gauges, trim tab indicators,rudder position indicators, etc. Over all it is a good quality boat but you will want to upgrade a lot of the installed equipment as you find better quality and longer life and more reliable items. I bought my tug used and the money I saved I have modified to my needs and liking. Would I buy another FM product YES, but I also would know that no product is perfect. Bob and
MarcoArias
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Hi Gary!
Feel free to shoot me an email and I can give you a good run down on the construction process of any of our models from mold fabrication/maintenance, all the way to post sales and support. My email is in my signature.
Thanks!
Feel free to shoot me an email and I can give you a good run down on the construction process of any of our models from mold fabrication/maintenance, all the way to post sales and support. My email is in my signature.
Thanks!