Full Boat Cover For Ranger Tug?

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Has anyone had a full cover made for there R-25 or R-29? If so, Who did it, and do you have any pics of it? Are you happy with it? and whatever else you care to share about it would be fantastic.

Thanks nutter's
Spirit of Gratitude 😉

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

As luck would have it, I just sat down to the computer to ask the same question as I don't want my boat to match the other derelict boats that inhabit my local marina. Besides being covered with dirt and acid rain the fiberglass degrades into its constituent components faster than I can imagine. A cover would help greatly but how much should it cost, what points do you anchor it to, and how do you deal with the mast?

Frank

 

[Levitation]

Well, your local tent and awning company will be happy to give you an estimate... Levitation is at the canvas shop this minute getting the cockpit canvas installed... When I talk to them in the next couple of days, I will try to remember to ask for a ball park figure on a cover...

Interestingly, he commented this winter has been his best one for replacing old dodgers with fresh canvas in a number of years... We discussed that... Michigan has become the financial armpit of the country and it is only getting worse... What we surmise is that the owners don't have the money to trade up for a newer/bigger boat, can't sell their old boat for what they believe it is worth, so they have decided they may as well replace the tattered canvas and use the boat... A sign of the times - new boat dealers are starving while repair and thrift shops are looking up...

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

I have talked to the guy that does the canvas work for Ranger. What I told him I wanted was a cover that would cover the whole boat. It would come in two pieces. The first would cover the bow to the back aft sport rack. Then the second would zip to that one and cover the rest of the boat. Two pieces would be easier to handle. It would hang down the sides past where the deck and hull meet about 18". The hull would not be fully covered. If you wax that once a year you should be in good shape.
The cover would have a boot put in for around the mast area. It would all be maid out of sunbrella. As far as holding it down goes, Well there is a couple of ways to do that. It would really depend on how you use your boat and cover. I mainly want the cover for when the boat is on the trailer outside waiting for me to come and play with her again. So with my old boat I had a cover that covered in much the same way as described and then it had straps on it that would come down to the trailer to lock it down. I think it had about 12 tie down points for a 26' boat cover.
The other way is to put snaps in it. That means screwing or riveting the male ends of the snaps in your boat somewhere. I am going to talk to him today and ask more about that. I am trying to do the foot work on this from here in Colorado before we go out to Seattle in around 12 days to get our new boat. When I talked to the canvas guy a few months ago I think he said the price would be somewhere in the mid to low 2000's.
He told me he had done some for a few ranger 25's already. That was the reason for me starting this thread. I was hoping to find out how people liked the work and do they have pics of the cover.
Now it has me thinking. I am going to meet with the guy while we are out there for three of four weeks in march. I would like to get one made while we are there if I like what I see and here.
So here is a thought. If there are several other people that would like to also get one made, Keeping in mind that this guy has rangers at his disposal to use as patterns. Then maybe I could talk to him about bulk pricing. I would be very happy to be the front man on this, Take lots of pics and send or upload while I am there and come up with the best design for all by working closely with him.
I do know that the guys at Ranger say he does really good work. After all he already does all there canvas work now.

So maybe we can start a list of people that would like to have this done and I will then take this with me when we go out there and play lets make a deal.
After all these are up to quarter million dollar investments we need to protect. It seems crazy not to do the right thing when it comes to our babies.
I have never liked to go half ass when it comes to protecting my investments. The cover I had on my other boat really did the trick. It was still looking new after ten years. All I did was wax it once a year and cover it. People always thought it was a brand new boat.

So if anyone is interested then let me know and I will start a list of: Inquiring minds what to know.

Stuart.......... Spirit of Gratitude 🙂

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

To add to the last post:

I talked to Dave the canvas guy and got some more info.
The cover is held down to the boat by draw strings that are sown in. They cut out for the cleats and sow in a flap over them. The cover comes down the hull about 8". They put leather reinforcements around the anchor and cleat openings. This cover would be easy to install whether the boat is in or out of the water. They use a very light gray color for the fact that it will hold up the longest over many years.
I will be meeting with him the week of March 8th sometime.

If anyone has any thing they would like to add please do so.
Stuart 😀

 

[Capt. Chris]

I had these folks make a cover for my sailboat 10 years ago. It went with the boat to the new owner.
Although they are sailmakers, they probably do more covers in the last 20 years.
They now do powerboats. You can call for a quote.

http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com/

Chris

Edit:
Good idea to have a zippered entry/exit in case you want to get in over the winter.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Thanks Chris,
It looks like Fairclough does really good work and they have a very nice site. A very good east coast connection for sure. I will call them to see what kind of pricing/shipping charges they have, and if they know the Ranger boats.
I will report my findings,

Thanks, Stuart

 

[Capt. Chris]

Thanks Chris,
It looks like Fairclough does really good work and they have a very nice site. A very good east coast connection for sure. I will call them to see what kind of pricing/shipping charges they have, and if they know the Ranger boats.
I will report my findings,

Thanks, Stuart

When I get "Folie" up to Mystic in May, I'll be having them come by to measure her.

Chris

 

[doke01]

Chris,

Let me know how it goes. Especially regarding the cost. I may want one also. We are down by Sandy Hook.

Doug

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

I just got off the phone with Erik Schmaling with Fairclough and this is what I found out.

They will only build a cover with a full frame. The frame would take you the boat owner, about two hours to install before laying the cover on. There covers go all the way down the sides of the boat and cover the hull. The cover is made out of a fabric called top notch. The frame is 1" galvanized tube.
The cost was $6380.00 but if you had it made before may 1st he would give 20%, bringing it to $5104.00

I have pics that he sent of a 26', 32',36' Nortic tug with his frames and covers. He also sent me a cost break down.

I would be happy to email all that he sent if you email me at Royston@skywerx.com

I know for me, what I was looking for, was a cover that would be easy to put on and take off and would protect it from mainly the sun. Also one that would store with ease.
I think if I was going to store the boat all winter in the snow then this would be the kind of cover I would want.
I am looking more for a cover that I can throw on in 15 min and be good to go.
I will be meeting with the guy in the Seattle area the later part of next week. I will be reporting my findings on that. He will be making a temp-let for the Ranger 29 during our meeting weather we decide to have him make us one or not.
The cost is more what I was looking for also, Around $2300.00. That is using sunbrella.

The research continues,
Stuart...... Spirit of Gratitude 🙂

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

I met with a guy on friday that claimed to have 25 years of experience. He will be calculating a quote sometime this week. If the price is good, this may be something us southlanders could use without shipping from Seattle. (I am in Stockton, California). I will post the price when I receive it.

Frank

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Thanks Frank,

The power of the internet! You got to love it!

Stu :lol:

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

Back with the price on the boat cover. This is from Brannon Canvas and their chief cook and bottle washer is "Larry". His price was $2600 for the R25. This is Sunbrella fabric with canvas and pad reinforcing over gel coat prominences, nylon loop tie-downs, rope snare around the bottom, and a single zippered side entrance. There is a choice of colors from sunbrella, (best is probably some version of sandy-smog), and he is flexible on design variations. He did advise against the two part cover as the joining of the halves can be problematic. He also advised the mast be folded forward and covered as the design of the cover for the vertical mast will be more expensive and increase the amount of time and hassle to don/doff the cover. He could not offer a break in price unless "many" covers were ordered. Apparently a fair amount of work goes into the creation of a template so it takes a big production run to get the cost back. He does guarantee his work for 1 year and the fabric for 7.

I am strongly tempted as the weather around here is very corrosive to fiberglass and the price is in the ball park of what I expected. Any other ideas?

Frank

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Very good Frank,
That sounds like a well built cover at a fair price. I will be meeting with the guy in Seattle next week. In my conversations with him already I have learned that he builds the cover very similar to your guy. I am sure that he would have no problem doing it in one piece. He does all the reinforcing in the same places. He also designs it to go on with the mast folded down and a small boot. The prices are close enough (within $300.00) That having one made by a guy local would be worth it. Easy to deal with any problems that could arise.
The light color is the way to go for sure. They are both using sunbrella. Good product!
I will have more to report next week after my meeting.

I have also been working on getting good insurance for the Ranger 29 owners that may want the option to go spend time in Mexico. Whether you stay for six months or only a month. Some really good prices if you are a experienced boater.
The Ranger 29 is a new twist on the insurance companies that write yacht policies. I have been working on this for the last month or so. They never heard of a quarter million dollar boat that you can trailer.
Never the less I will be posting my good news on that topic very soon. Very good coverage and very reasonable rates, to be covered in Mexico. Even while towing the big beast through Mexico you are covered.
Like I said it is a new twist on these insurance companies and it has been a lot of back and forth. We are cutting a new path, so to speak. But that is why we are Ranger owners in the first place. Were adventurous spirited kind of people.
I will post soon on the insurance subject,

Stuart 🙂

 

[Harmony]

Hi Stuart of Spirit of Gratitude
I just love the name of your boat! I am interested in the cover for the R 29. Would really like to protect the boat and have it stay looking bright and new. I am in Bellingham and so would be interested in joining in on your effort to have it made in Seattle.
I am also super interested in the insurance that would include coverage in Mexico. We plan to take our boat there this winter...I hadn't even thought about the insurance when going out of the country. Thanks for bringing it up.
See you in the Sea of Cortez!
Harmony
Poppy's Legacy

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Hi Harmony,
I am glad to here that there are other people out there that want to protect there investment with a boat cover. I have been working with Dave the guy that does all the canvas work for Ranger. He will build a cover for you for around $2300.00 depending in what you want. If you want extra features it could be more. He seems to be the most fair on price in all my research. He is at 206-271-2294 and again his name is Dave.

As far as Mexico goes I am glad to here that you are the adventurous type also. I think we are going to have several Rangers that will be cruising the sea of cortez in the next year or so. Steve and Tina have been down there in there 25 and have left it there for the last few months. I think they are there now and they will be bringing it home after this trip for the summer.
I feel that san carlos is your best bet to make as you starting point. Mainly because it is a wonderful town with great supplies and service. You can also feel real good about storing your boat down there. It is very safe.
One other reason is that traveling to san carlos you are on a four lane toll hwy all the way into san carlos. This is very important when towing such a big load. You would not want to tow a ranger 29 on a two lane Mexican hwy on the baja side. You will not be a happy camper at all. If you call me I will give you more details on that also.
As far as insurance goes I have been working with Scott Rohrer with Rich Haynie insurance. They are at 206-634-9328. Tell them you talked to me and he will set you up. (Stuart Royston)
Chubb insurance is who will write the policy. They write yacht policies for boats that cruise to Mex. Now you need to know that they will only cover you during cruising season and not you in the summer months due to hurricane season. It is way to hot down there in the summer anyway. The best time in in the fall/winter/ and spring anyway.

You will want to join Vagabundos http://www.vagabundos.com/ It is a club that cost about $30.00 a year and you will find that they will be most helpful with many resources when traveling through Mex. Tell them I sent you also. I think they send me $10.00. Go to there website and you will see that it is worth it.
There is some very important paperwork that you will want to do before traveling down. Import permits and so on. Please feel free to call me and I will go into more details on getting all you ducks in a row. 970-946-3156

Can't wait to meet up in Mex,
Stuart Royston