I just ordered an R31-S LE

M

Mr. Ed

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2019
Messages
144
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT3102E920
Vessel Name
Barbara Ann
MMSI Number
338351528
😱 Thanks to the wonderful and helpful folks at Pocket Yachts in Grasonville, I placed my order this morning... Yippee!

LE model with aft ice maker and steering station, hunter green. Their best guess is that it might be manufactured the third week in June, but that's a long way out so I'm not going to worry about it too much. Of course, the sooner the better. They were kind enough to accept my 2018 BRIG 520 as a down payment, so I don't even have to worry about selling it.

This has been a great experience so far, and I want to thank everybody involved for their assistance.
 
WoW! Congratulations, Welcome Aboard!
 
Hey there Mr. Ed,
A big congratulations to you! A very exciting time for you and your family for sure. As my beloved wife and 'first mate' passed on, I sold my Albin 43' trawler and am looking to downsize to a vessel that I can handle by myself. I am currently talking with Winter Island Yacht Sales in Salem MA here on the East Coast and will demo a R-31 CB as soon as the weather breaks. I have been on this fine vessel at the Norwalk CT Boat Show this past September. If all goes well, I too will be ordering a a new Ranger. Best of luck to you my friend and I wish you many pleasant hours of stress free boating!
Richie
 
Congratulations Mr. Ed! Welcome to the Ranger Tug family.

Gini
 
Mr Ed,
Glad to hear it worked out a bit earlier than you expected. I was going to respond to your initial post, but just didn't get a chance. I'm in Edgewater (Mayo, actually) myself, and just bought a 2013 R31 CB this past fall. I've had a chance to take her out a few times over the winter, but spend most of my time getting familiar with the systems during the cold spells and worrying that I didn't winterize properly. I have a similar boating background as you- smaller boats. PM me if you're interested and I'd be happy to show you around and what I've learned so far. This forum is great; I've found just about everything I had questions on already answered.
 
Agree you can find answers to most any question already answered on the site. The search option gives you a quick answer.
Congrats on the new boat.
 
I had an opportunity to catch a ride on an R-31 this afternoon, and it was wonderful. Many thanks to BradN for his generosity and kindness, and superior seamanship!

I discovered that I cannot see anything coming up behind the boat without leaving the helm seat and moving around the cabin when the boat is angled up in the bow. Since I primarily boat single handed in a very congested area (the South River and the Chesapeake Bay around Annapolis) I really want to know what's coming at me so I don't accidentally pull in front of someone, or maybe miss a chance to dodge getting from behind hit by a speeding drunk. We have lots of those.

How do you folks do it? I'm thinking about a Garmin camera, mounted on the radar mast facing aft, that taps into the main MFD and displays on the overhead tv would be ideal. I'm open to suggestions. Gotta come up with something for situational awareness. thanks in advance for your suggestions, and thanks again to BradN for the experience.
 
You can use radar to setup up circles for giving you alerts when boats come into your 'circles'. The radar display will show where the encroaching boat is; either ahead of you, on your beam and aft of you. Get used to the radar configurations to setup theses 'circles'. This is maybe better than an aft facing camera.... just saying,... and a thought for you to consider.l
 
baz":2djc5zq8 said:
You can use radar to setup up circles for giving you alerts when boats come into your 'circles'. The radar display will show where the encroaching boat is; either ahead of you, on your beam and aft of you. Get used to the radar configurations to setup theses 'circles'. This is maybe better than an aft facing camera.... just saying,... and a thought for you to consider.l
Click to expand...
That's a terrific idea that never occurred to me. Right now I have zero experience with radar, and it's one of many things I'll look forward to learning when I finally get my boat... ETA July.
 
Barry, I have used radar a fair amount but had no idea you could set up “circles.” Thanks so much for the tip!

I did install the Garmin camera (the mirror image version), on a Ram Mount so it is easily adjustable, on the aft edge of our hardtop facing aft. The video cable plugs right into a video port on the MFD. I use it primarily for maneuvering in marinas and congested areas and find it invaluable. I considered mounting it on the radar mast but looked at the angles necessary to clear the top of our dinghy and decided the view would be better from the hardtop. The camera is designed to mount to a ceiling so I got a small piece of Starboard, screwed one end to the Ram Mount, and attached the camera underneath the other end, which also helps to protect it from the elements. I wondered if the boat rocking in heavy seas or wakes might knock the Ram Mount adjustment off kilter but it has stayed exactly where I tightened it down.
 
Wee Venture":13e657bk said:
Barry, I have used radar a fair amount but had no idea you could set up “circles.” Thanks so much for the tip!

I did install the Garmin camera (the mirror image version), on a Ram Mount so it is easily adjustable, on the aft edge of our hardtop facing aft. The video cable plugs right into a video port on the MFD. I use it primarily for maneuvering in marinas and congested areas and find it invaluable. I considered mounting it on the radar mast but looked at the angles necessary to clear the top of our dinghy and decided the view would be better from the hardtop. The camera is designed to mount to a ceiling so I got a small piece of Starboard, screwed one end to the Ram Mount, and attached the camera underneath the other end, which also helps to protect it from the elements. I wondered if the boat rocking in heavy seas or wakes might knock the Ram Mount adjustment off kilter but it has stayed exactly where I tightened it down.
Click to expand...
If it's not too much trouble, could you post a picture of the camera installation? Thanks!
 
Just a note from Bob!
The camera does not work very well in the fog ( every thing looks like a snow storm ) but does work very well in the harbor to spot the idiot trying to pass you! The circle alarm Mr Berry was talking about works great in open water, but is useless in close areas like the docks. I use both as needed but also use my LED spot/work light to help others see me when comming up my stern.
Be safe!
 
I will be happy to post a pic. I just requested picture posting privileges (which I have wanted to do anyway). As soon as I get set up with that, I’ll post the pic.
 
We’ll see if this works. I’m trying to post two thumbnail pics of the back-up camera installation with links to the gallery pics. If the link doesn’t automatically take you to the pictures, you can visit my new gallery (Wee Venture) and look at the pictures there. Those are the only two posted at the moment.

I gave a rough drawing to TAP Plastics of the Starboard piece and they made it while I waited. I screwed it to a Ram Mount, screwed the Ram mount to a Mantus 1” Rail clamp, and clamped that as far aft as possible on the overhead rack. If you don’t have a convenient rail to mount it to, you could secure the Ram mount to a different base.


 
Thanks! That looks like a good solution, and I can't wait to get my boat (in July) so I can fabricate one up. It's going to be a long three month wait.
 
Welcome to the Pocket Yacht Chesapeake Family! Did they mention the Pocket Yacht Knot gathering coming up in Cambridge June 4-7? You may not have the boat by then, but its being held at River Marsh marina - Part of the sprawling Hyatt Hotel / Golf Course facility...

We bought our Cutwater (used) this time last year - and were able to attend the PYK gathering - It was a great way to meet other area owners, see the modifications they've done, and spend time with Manufacturer's Reps and great contractors that can be a help down the line...

I imagine that you could book a room for a night or two and enjoy the camaraderie and learning while anxiously waiting for your delivery!

Steve
 
Thanks! So far the Hyatt is not accepting room reservations for that weekend, but since it's only an hour's drive over the bay bridge that won't be a problem. Very much looking forward to seeing how other owners have solved a few little issues, and especially interested in a davit to store a RIB on the coach roof. See you there!

Not related, but how do I subscribe to a thread? There's no radio button for that anywhere on the screen.
 
Mr. Ed":elw3kb7f said:
Not related, but how do I subscribe to a thread? There's no radio button for that anywhere on the screen.
Click to expand...
At the very bottom of a thread, under the ad, there are a few 'subscription' choices. You can select "Subscribe topic" or "Bookmark topic". I am not sure of the exact differences.
 
Shazam! There it is. Many thanks!
 
ixlr8":36ggo2m0 said:
Mr. Ed":36ggo2m0 said:
Not related, but how do I subscribe to a thread? There's no radio button for that anywhere on the screen.
Click to expand...
At the very bottom of a thread, under the ad, there are a few 'subscription' choices. You can select "Subscribe topic" or "Bookmark topic". I am not sure of the exact differences.
Click to expand...

Difference is described in the FAQ.

cheers,

Bruce
 
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