Do you get a new Tug surveyed?

[Someday*]

I imagine when getting a used boat you would certainly want a marine survey done before purchase.

What about a new Ranger Tug?

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

There is at least one thread where this was discussed.... the hindsight answers was a resounding yes. I've Neve bought a new boat. It would seem to me for the money being spend, having a good marine surveyor go over the boat would find potential problems before you found them on the water.

 

[BB marine]

My answer to that question is it depends. If you are taking delivery at the Fluid Motion facility and receiving a delivery from a factory trained individual or a dealership that has a well established service department and personal that are knowledgable about the Ranger product and the equipment installations on board (You probably do not need a survey of your new boat.) I would highly recommend that before you start the delivery process and complete the final sale of the boat you ask for the completed PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION CHECK SHEET for the boat and the Engine. Look the check sheet over. Has the factory checked all items off ? Did the servicing technician at the dealership or the delivery technician at the factory check all items off when he/she did the delivery rig, confirming that everything on board is working and installed correctly? If not hold off on the delivery until all items have been inspected and checked off. When they are, finalize the deal. Start the delivery with the check sheet in hand. Let the technician explain every item on the check sheet and show you it was inspected, installed correctly and in good working order. Put your hands on every through hull valve, every electrical switch auto or manual. Look at every battery connection, latch, door, pump, hose and clamps.............. After each item is shown to you, check the box and initial. When the delivery is completed your check mark and initials should be on every box. Make sure you were shown and proven that every item or component works and was installed correctly. If there are boxes not checked look at the item again and confirm it worked properly. If not start your punch list of items that need repair or replacement. Finish the delivery process. When the delivery is complete come up with a plan with the delivery technician as to what is needed to repair any item without a check if any. Get a in writing time the repair will be scheduled to be completed so you can sign off on a complete delivery. No promises get it in writing!

This post is not geared to reflect on Ranger Tug it would be the way to approach any manufactures new boat delivery. A delivery of this kind should always be done. This protects you the consumer and purchaser of the product. It also protects the dealership and the factory. If you excepted the boat at delivery and signed off on it both dealer and factory fulfilled their obligation.


If this type of delivery process is not available from the dealer you have purchased the Ranger from. Get a survey.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Yes to a survey when new. The cost is relatively small and it is worth it for the extra peace of mind. Every new boat owner should expect issues to fix, and any head start on that is helpful.

In our case (new C30) it uncovered some minor issues, gave me some questions to ask, and also suggested/taught a bunch of things about the boat such as maintenance tips. Look for a local surveyor who has a lot of experience (here in Western WA, we used Wayne Gilham from Tacoma, highly recommended).

 

[Chimo]

My answer would be a resounding "Yes". Much has changed in the marine industry as well as others, especially since the GFC. I can explain from experience but it would be boring. In short, you can expect defects and though RT offer stellar after sales support, particularly during warranty, they are delivering an assembly of a large number of third party components and it's good to catch problems before taking delivery. Small money, well spent!

 

[SJI Sailor]

Idea for the factory: if a new owner has a survey done, offer them something in return for a copy of it — easy and cost effective addition for future quality control. Maybe a jacket embossed “Ranger Tug Quality Team”!

 

[dclagett]

Yes! I would get a surveyor that is very familar with Ranger Tugs and is aware of typical problems found in their boats. In my case most build problems I have had would not be found during a typical survey. However it is well worth the $$ to get an independent opinion of your new boat, both in the water and out. Also make sure you investigate any oddities during the first year of ownership, they could be a sympton of a build problem. You only have a year to have the factory correct these.

 

[H28]

Yes, you should. Did I? No

We did the factory experience and cruised for 3 weeks. Had a few squawks and RT took care of them.

After owning boats for 40 years, I figured I could flush out any issues. But in retrospect I think it would have been prudent to do so. Next boat, for sure I will.

 

[sgeary]

We purchased our used RT31 through the factory. RT had taken our boat as a trade-in. Being 5 years old and with less than 300 hours on the engine, we did not have the boat surveyed.

RT runs a new boat checklist on the trade-ins and fixes anything they find wrong, before we took delivery.

We got the factory delivery experience and a 30 day warranty.

RT quickly took care of the few, minor squawks we found in the first 30 days.

RT is well managed and quite reputable and we highly recommend the Factory Delivery Experience.

We are pleased with our decision to own a Ranger Tug.
Check with Andrew and let him know what used RT or CW boat you are interested in. They may get a trade-in that would work for you.

 

[gigharborite]

Regardless of what you do when you purchase the new boat, I recommend a complete survey immediately prior to the expiration of the 12 month warranty. You will likely save more in the value of warranty items discovered during the survey than the cost of the survey.

 

[CatNap]

We are expecting our R27 in March. We have had a survey involved prior to signing agreement. He has helped us review our needs of a boat vs what various boats are capable of. He also helped us make important decisions based on our needs. For example, we are adding an AIS transceiver as much of our boating takes us through a major shipping channel, an item we would have otherwise missed.

The plan going forward is a static survey before it goes in the water. I will the put the burn in hours on the engine followed by a sea trial with the surveyor.

We plan to follow up with some additional on water training with the survey

So the short answer is, it’s a lot of money, of course you need it surveyed before accepting delivery
Marc

 

[FlyMeAway]

Yes.*

*not just an RT, any new boat