Hull# 2724 Day 1

[jpichler]

The quest for my own boat started in Bremerton 2012 at the Ranger Tugs Rendezvous and since then I have been working diligently on all the details, and as we got closer and closer the excitement rose, but it never really sunk in that we were going to have a boat until today.

Andrew called a few days ago with the news that hull# 2724 was out of the mold and I should make arrangements to swing by the factory in Kent and see “Current Obsession” take shape, I arrived today and after a short lunch with Andrew, Jeff and Ivan we went onto the production floor and there she was. in 3 pieces…The hull, the insert and the cabin, each being worked on by many competent boat builders. I got to see many of the details we spent all winter finalizing for my special version of the Ranger Tug R-27.

below you will find a small montage of pictures showing the progress.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=95a0...pub=SDX.Photos&sff=1&authkey=!AN2GIPvU2oFdJD4

I plan several more visits as work progresses, its such a treat that you can get to see your boat being worked on at different stages, and my wife, daughter and I are looking forward to a fun filled summer, making new friends and discover new places.

 

[Irish Mist]

Congratulations !! After touring the plant and reading the posts of new owners, I am Jealous of those of you that were able to watch your boats being born, I know there is a savings buying used, which quite frankly was the only way I could become a member, but the excitment and anticipation of the birth must be great. I really have enjoyed my tug in this first year, but the amount of help I have gotten from this site and from Andrew and Kenny make being a Ranger Tug owner more like being a family member then just a boat owner.. You will not regret your choice
Regards
Mark

 

[Bruce Moore]

Awesome. Good for you. It really is exciting to see your boat come together, and to get a sense for the craftsmanship involve. And, doesn't it look huge. Can't wait to see you on the water, soon.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Levitation]

Best set of build pictures I have seen.
Now if the tub (insert) would just hinge up sideways when I need to do maintenance on those lines and hoses that get sandwiched between it and the hull, life would be great.

 

[HRowland]

Nice pictures. Is the SmartPlug something that you requested or are they now standard? It is a good idea, I am thinking of upgrading the power inlet on our R27.

Howard

 

[Stella Maris]

The shore power connection coming into your boat is the number one cause of boat fires. I am not quite sure why more manufacturers have not switched over to the smart plug. I switched Karma's and then Destiny's. Not difficult, just a bit spendy at $150.00.

If you do not care to change it over, you should look at the female side of the plug each time you unplug it. If you see any black discoloring, you could have an issue.

 

[jpichler]

Smartplug was my request, it was one of many details Andrew and I went over during our talks on how we wanted our R-27 to be equipped, the initial idea did come when I read about some of the changes D.Baker made on both Solitude and Karma, I then did my research and made my choice.

 

[baz]

Very nice... Ver nice photo slide show as well. Congratulations are very much in order. 🙂

I likee the SmartPlug -- a good Ad for this can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkXXgFaWdQs I'm glad one can buy the 50' cable with SmartPlug at one end and the traditional connecter with locking ring at the other end. If it were not for this (i.e., the traditional male end with locking ring) my Marina would not allow them to be used at their docks/slips.

The 4 large holes (2 on port side and 2 on starboard side) on the rear of the V-berth... what are these for ? Thanks.

I think you captured Andrew in one of your photo shots.

 

[jpichler]

I am unclear on the 4 holes, I will ask Andrew tomorrow when I see him, I captured him while we were discussing placement of the antenna for the Ericsson W35 fixed wireless terminal for cellular and 4G internet connectivity.

 

[walldog]

I am unclear on the 4 holes, I will ask Andrew tomorrow when I see him, I captured him while we were discussing placement of the antenna for the Ericsson W35 fixed wireless terminal for cellular and 4G internet connectivity.

I have pretty much crawled all over my boat into every crack and crevice. I think that the holes are there for routing cables and tubing. I do not know if there is another reason. One on each side carries the AC duct back to the main cabin from the location in the pointy end of the boat. If you do not have AC one may carry the heater outlet to the berth.

 

[baz]

Thanks Herb... As I was suspecting, but didn't want to jump to a conclusion, the holes are for routing heating and A/C ducting plus cable runs presumably. I have seen heating outlets in the R27's V-berth area so that makes sense to me. If I recall, there was one R27 (Pete's) I visited here in Edmonds last year that had an A/C outlet right next to one's head laying in the V-berth. :roll: I believe that has now been relocated by the Factory build process in future R27 builds. I also believe heating exits are in the well of the V-berth area. Those holes surely must be associated with this.

 

[walldog]

Thanks Herb... As I was suspecting, but didn't want to jump to a conclusion, the holes are for routing heating and A/C ducting plus cable runs presumably. I have seen heating outlets in the R27's V-berth area so that makes sense to me. If I recall, there was one R27 (Pete's) I visited here in Edmonds last year that had an A/C outlet right next to one's head laying in the V-berth. :roll: I believe that has now been relocated by the Factory build process in future R27 builds. I also believe heating exits are in the well of the V-berth area. Those holes surely must be associated with this.

Actually, not a vent, but just behind the thin panel on the port side of the Vee Berth is where the compressor unit is located. My orginal unit which was extremely noisy failed. At little insulation around the unit helped, but the big fix for the the noise was when the unit was replaced, the new unit was much quieter. The extra insulation though is still necessary for a good nights sleep. Especially since that is "My" side of the berth. The gel memory foam trimmings worked really great for this. The other section of the AC is located under the berth cushion at the bow. With the cushion, memory foam pad, and other bedding, it is very quiet. The only AC vent outlets on my 27 are port and starboard sides out of galley countertop and beside the forward dinette seat. I can see how folks who spend summers in the deep South may want an AC outlet in the berth.

 

[baz]

Very nice... Ver nice photo slide show as well. Congratulations are very much in order. 🙂

I likee the SmartPlug -- a good Ad for this can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkXXgFaWdQs I'm glad one can buy the 50' cable with SmartPlug at one end and the traditional connecter with locking ring at the other end. If it were not for this (i.e., the traditional male end with locking ring) my Marina would not allow them to be used at their docks/slips.

The 4 large holes (2 on port side and 2 on starboard side) on the rear of the V-berth... what are these for ? Thanks.

I think you captured Andrew in one of your photo shots.

I'm so impressed with the SmartPlug that I have decided to install this on my R25. I like the 7 year warranty that comes with this product as well. I will buy from Defender as they have a better price than West Marine, plus West Marine's 50' SmartPlug Dual Configuration Cord Set is out of stock.

I like the fact that the SmartPlug Cord Set is a bright 'safety' orange color making it highly visible when laying out on the dock side. Anything laying on the dock side is a hazard to people so its high visibility will help to avoid mishaps hopefully.

In order to make the most of this conversion I will buy

1) SmartPlug Dual Configuration 50' Cord Set
2) SmartPlug Boatside/ShorePower Inlet & Connector
3) SmartPlug Weatherproof SmartPlug Cover

Buying Item 2) that includes the Connector will allow me to add the Connector onto my existing 50' traditional yellow Cord Set so that I have a backup Cord Set that's compatible with item 1).

My one concern is the 4 hole format on the SmartPlug Boatside/ShorePower Inlet being the same as what I have today on my R25. If the formats are identical (and the WestMarine video does say they are identical) then installation of the inlet will be a snap otherwise I may have to drill new holes.

I last question... has anyone retrofitted the SmartPlug to their R25/R27, and if so what was the experience etc ? Thanks. 🙂