Generic mods

[JeffRad54]

Hello All,

I'm interested in the mods you have made to make life aboard your R-27 easier.
Berth, Gallery, Cockpit... it doesn't matter. Please reply.
I like making things, so if you have plans, please supply them.

Thanks loads,

Jeff

 

[jroyle]

Wow, If I read correctly your R27 is a brand new boat and your looking at major changes to the layout?? Why would anyone buy a brand new boat and immediately tear it apart. It sure seems like you did not do your due diligence in determining what kind of boat you wanted...or is it just a trolling of Ranger Tugs???? Based on your previous comments you clearly are not a fan of these wonderful boats so what are your true intentions??

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Jeff,

We have a Classic R-27 so some mods may not apply but if you look in our photo album under Red Raven Modifications you can find some photos of what we did. Click on the camera icon under our name to the right of this post.

Curt

 

[BB marine]

Jeff, I have several Mods posted in my album. The C26/C28 interior design is very similar to the R27 outboard. When I purchased the C26 in 2016 (New) and used it for a season ( Many QC issues were experienced) and many idea's on how to make the boat even more functional. Part of owning a boat is repairing, maintaining and making alterations to it. Custom modifications is the fun part of working on a boat. Successful modifications is rewarding. Have fun personalizing your boat with what ever modifications you do.

 

[rpmerrill]

Here's a mod I did back in 2017.
Short story, the spotlight (on a 2012 R-27) shines too much light onto the bow. It totally outshines the view that you are really looking for.
You'll see in my post that I made a "hillbilly" fix. (All due respect to hillbillies.)
It ain't pretty but I only use it when I plan (or happen) to be making a run in the dark. I've used it maybe 3-4 times and it is a fabulous $10 mod. (sometimes I surprise myself) Most of the time it hangs on a hook down in the cave.

Give it a look.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=9819&hilit=+spotlight

rich

 

[JeffRad54]

Wow, If I read correctly your R27 is a brand new boat and your looking at major changes to the layout?? Why would anyone buy a brand new boat and immediately tear it apart. It sure seems like you did not do your due diligence in determining what kind of boat you wanted...or is it just a trolling of Ranger Tugs???? Based on your previous comments you clearly are not a fan of these wonderful boats so what are your true intentions??

Trolling? Really? I have legitimate complaints and have addressed them both here and with RT. Posting complaints is not "trolling".
Who said anything about "major changes"? Only you.
I'm simply asking about what mods people have made to their R27's that make life aboard / boating easier, that's all.
Please, don't get your panties in a wad worrying about my previous posts.

As far as my what you think of my opinion of these wonderful boats, again, that is only in your mind. If you bothered to carefully read my posts, my issues are with RT quality control, and not the boat. I happen to be very happy with my Margaux.

As far as your comment regarding due diligence, I assure you, this is exactly the kind of boat I wanted. It suits me perfectly. As with any boat, people will find ways to improve it to suit their needs and preferences. I'm so very sorry that you find that to be a problem for you.

Regarding my "true intentions", that is easy enough. I'm asking for information.
What do you have to contribute, besides mean-spirited and unhelpful replies?

Best wishes and Merry Christmas,

Jeff

 

[JeffRad54]

Here's a mod I did back in 2017.
Short story, the spotlight (on a 2012 R-27) shines too much light onto the bow. It totally outshines the view that you are really looking for.
You'll see in my post that I made a "hillbilly" fix. (All due respect to hillbillies.)
It ain't pretty but I only use it when I plan (or happen) to be making a run in the dark. I've used it maybe 3-4 times and it is a fabulous $10 mod. (sometimes I surprise myself) Most of the time it hangs on a hook down in the cave.

Give it a look.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=9819&hilit=+spotlight

rich

Wow, you have a spotlight? My mom gave me a candle and a magnifying glass. (You have to have seen "Deadpool" to get that.).

I've got a hand-held spot but have been thinking of installing one of those police car spotlights for maneuverable lighting.

 

[rpmerrill]

I thought spotlights were standard equipment? Like I said, it is not all that useful.... until you really need it.
It does add a bit of panache to the mast.... and it is cheaper than radar.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

The spotlight was removed on R27s 2016 and newer. Maybe 2017 and on. Anyway, unless you modify the spotlight with a baffle as rpmerrill did, it’s not particularly useful because of the glare from the white bow. I moved my spotlight higher on the mast which improved, but did not eliminate, the glare.

 

[Larry1030]

Back to the original question of modifications on a newly purchased R27, we purchased our 2019 R27OB new and over the past year made the following modifications which greatly improved the vessel for how we use in around the Pensacola, FL area:
1. Converted the marine toilet to fresh water
2. Removed the pot holders and grate from stove top and replaced with a removable cutting board to increase counter space. Used Velcro to attach the cutting board and we store the stove top grates.
3. Installed foil covered foam insulation behind the screens of the ceiling hatches to reduce heat and sun coming through. Gets very hot in Florida Summer
4. Used clear Velcro to attach custom made wood panels to two of the four glass skylights in the ceiling. Again to reduce heat and sunlight. The two most forward skylights were left uncovered.
5: Added a double shock cord harness to attach anchor chain to the bow
6. Added Raptor Marine Decking with the Ranger Tug Logo to the Cockpit flooring
Love the boat which we use primarily for day trips within four hours east or west of Pensacola. Have a few more changes to make but hope that helps.

 

[JeffRad54]

Back to the original question of modifications on a newly purchased R27, we purchased our 2019 R27OB new and over the past year made the following modifications which greatly improved the vessel for how we use in around the Pensacola, FL area:
1. Converted the marine toilet to fresh water
2. Removed the pot holders and grate from stove top and replaced with a removable cutting board to increase counter space. Used Velcro to attach the cutting board and we store the stove top grates.
3. Installed foil covered foam insulation behind the screens of the ceiling hatches to reduce heat and sun coming through. Gets very hot in Florida Summer
4. Used clear Velcro to attach custom made wood panels to two of the four glass skylights in the ceiling. Again to reduce heat and sunlight. The two most forward skylights were left uncovered.
5: Added a double shock cord harness to attach anchor chain to the bow
6. Added Raptor Marine Decking with the Ranger Tug Logo to the Cockpit flooring
Love the boat which we use primarily for day trips within four hours east or west of Pensacola. Have a few more changes to make but hope that helps.

Good ideas, Larry, and thanks for your response.
I'm curious why you converted the toilet to fresh water.
I like your ideas of the insulation for the cabin hatches. That is a lot of glass and it gets hot here in Missouri as well.
What is the benefit of the added cockpit decking?

I will be adding a removable screen to the aft window for bug control, interior curtains (fire proof material) for the forward glass and galley glass, and am thinking of making a raised partitioned platform aft of the generator for dry, out of the bilge, storage for extra fuel cans, large fenders, spare anchor, etc..

 

[Larry1030]

Jeff;
Converted the toilet to fresh water to eliminate the odor and other conditions created by using raw salt water to flush. Since our boat is primarily used for day trips or at most one overnight, plenty of freshwater on board for us. Several posts on this forum about the conversion and an easy to use conversion kit that is available. If you’re primarily boating in fresh water, this conversion may not be for you.
Installed Raptor Deck primarily for appearance. Go to raptordeck.com to see pictures of a Ranger Tug R27 with the decking installed. The R27 has an all “white” colored cockpit as opposed to the tan colored cockpit on most other models. Just too much white color for us. The Raptor Deck looks great. It also adds a softer non slip surface to the cockpit floor and steps. We like it very much. Good luck with your modifications.

Larry
MS Saleway

 

[Brian98133]

Jeff;
Converted the toilet to fresh water to eliminate the odor and other conditions created by using raw salt water to flush. Since our boat is primarily used for day trips or at most one overnight, plenty of freshwater on board for us. Several posts on this forum about the conversion and an easy to use conversion kit that is available. If you’re primarily boating in fresh water, this conversion may not be for you.
Installed Raptor Deck primarily for appearance. Go to raptordeck.com to see pictures of a Ranger Tug R27 with the decking installed. The R27 has an all “white” colored cockpit as opposed to the tan colored cockpit on most other models. Just too much white color for us. The Raptor Deck looks great. It also adds a softer non slip surface to the cockpit floor and steps. We like it very much. Good luck with your modifications.

Larry
MS Saleway

Hello all... my very first post, so go easy on me 😉

I take delivery of my r-23 next Monday (SO EXCITED!), and the raw-water toilet is something I will be working on as well. Full disclosure: Had I thought of this early on, I may have had the factory perform this mod, if they would have.
My last boat was a Sea Ray 290 Amberjack, and it had a fresh water vaccu-flush system. I used a product called Bio Clean in the tank, and the head was completely odor-free! As was the pumpout dock when I uncorked 'er (had a few folks ask me what I used, because I didn't smell up the whole dock 😀 )

I called the folks at Bio Clean (another full disclosure: I'm a retailer that sells this product, so am admittedly biased) and asked about what the salt water (primarily going to be used in salt) would do to the effectiveness of the product, and they said salt will keep it from working well. So I want to use fresh water to flush, and was just going to use the shower head (if it reaches?).

As Larry said, I will mostly be doing day boating with the occasional overnight/weekend. So maybe it won't be worth a full 'mod'. But I'd be curious to see what you did, Larry.

Glad to be part of the Ranger family!!

 

[Larry1030]

Brian,
Like you, our initial thought was to just use the shower handle to add fresh water to the toilet but quickly realized it would be much better to go ahead and make the conversion. Now we simply push the flush button and get an excellent fresh water flush. On the R27 the conversion is very simple and Raritan sells a kit with instruction to complete. That kit contains an anti siphon module to protect the fresh water. I simply used a flexible PEX line to tab into the cold water line under the sink using a Sharkbite T. The PEX line is flexible enough to feed behind the sidewall right to the back of the toilet. The raw water line that feeds the toilet from the factory is simply plugged. As the fresh water pump now charges the line, the raw water pump is removed which also makes the toilet much quieter. If you search the topic on this forum you’ll get lots of information on the conversion including how to purchase the kit. The R23 has a different toilet than the R27 but I’m sure it can be converted also.

 

[Brian98133]

Thanks for the info, Larry! I will look into the conversion kit you mentioned. One thing that may be a challenge compared to the 27 is that the lav faucet is on the port, and the toilet is starboard. I'm sure I'll figure out how to get water across the berth, but really wished I would have had the factory run a line before everything was assembled!

Once I figure it out, I'll post pics and a breakdown of work.

Thanks again!