Lifting eyes on Ranger R21EC

[hwhayes]

Some of the marinas we want to visit do not have ramps and their lifts don't use slings. My question is: On a 2015 Ranger R21EC, are the lifting eyes (bow eye and two stern eyes) designed for actually lifting the boat without a sling? Are there any special precautions I should take if using them to lift the boat?
Thanks in advance.
Harry Hayes R21EC RedBird

 

[Capt’nKarl]

The bow eye and the stern eyes are not designed for lifting the boat out of the water. These eyes are made to tie down and secure the boat to a trailer. If the marina you mentioned doesn’t have a ramp and doesn’t use slings how do they get boats out of the water?

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

We have a 2001 Ranger "Martini" launch, the same fantail transom as the early R-21's but without the cabin.

It's equipped with Lifting Eyes, one toward the bow and two at the stern deck. The eye's have heavy SS rods that extend from the base of the eye/cleat to the SS U-Bolts that are under the bow and on the transom of the boat. Same exact system that is used on our Carolina Skiff for davit lifting.

Regarding Capt'n Karl's thoughts on whether the boat (21) can be lifted with shore mounted davits, my thoughts on this is that yes, the U-Bolts are made to hold the boat down to the trailer, but the eyes that are mounted on the deck and attached internally to the U-Bolts are made for lifting. A very strong mechanism that transfers the boat weight from the eye right down to the bow/stern U-Bolt attachments to the hull.

Anyway, that's the way that our boat was built but I'd sure like some other comments so that I don't break my pretty little launch in half at some point. I'm not sure if the "normal" R-21's or the EC's have the rods that go down from the eyes to the U-Bolts like ours.

Thanks for any comments...Bob/Bradenton
'99 Atlas Acadia 25 "Petunia"
'01 Ranger "Martini" 21 open launch "Buttercup"

PS: I just am about finished a rather complete rebuild of the Martini including the Stuffing Box, Coupler and Packing Tube. Very tough stuff getting all of these unstuck after years of apparent, no maintenance. If anyone needs some helpful hints on these items, let me know...Bob

 

[hwhayes]

Bob,
I don't believe the R21-EC is constructed the same way. They seem to only have the trailer hold down eyes.
I am skeptical about their ability to serve both purposes but wanted to put the question out there for comment.
Thanks for the responses.
Best Wishes!

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

Hi HW,

After a three month rebuild of every system in our little yacht, she was launched last week over at the Longboat Key (FL) launching ramp. Everything went smoothly. Had to cruise her across some very choppy water and she does tend to roll a bit if you take a boat wave at the wrong angle.

This boat has the 20 HP Yanmar. Seems to do just fine at about 2100 RPM/5 knots. Pushing the throttle up anymore just causes the bow to rise and push a lot of water, but no noticeable increase in hull speed.

So far, tons of fun cruising the local canals in the evenings. Very quiet for chatting.

I did lots of modifications to the internals of the boat. Added a Racor 500 fuel/water separator, moved the two batteries (were G25's) to outside of the engine box. Now larger G27's. Note that these boats did not have self-draining cockpits so it's up the bilge pumps to keep her afloat. Added a new 1000 GPS and a huge 2200 GPH pump/flappers. The distance between the floor and hull is very slim so I ran hard 3/4" PVC pipe above the floor next to the steering station. Not a trip hazard, added red warning tape.

Added a shower to the sink and new hose lines. All new exhaust tubing and fuel tubing.

For some reason the bilge and under-the-seats gell-coats was flaking off in chunks. Ground it down, epoxied and then Bondo'd the areas. Then painted.

All new electrical wiring and panels as well as new Nav-Lights. LED's now. Also added blue LED mini-strips to the exterior and white to the interior.

Moved the compass off of the steering station to one of the side storage compartments and replaced it with a new Garmin Down-View sounder. Also kept the original smaller Garmin sounder at the station.

The Packing Tube where the Stuffing Box meets hull fiberglass tube was mostly disintegrated. It would have sunk the boat. This boat is a 2001 so get down into your bilge and see the condition of this very important rubber tube!

To replace it I had to remove the Shaft Coupler which was very difficult. Had to buy a new one since I had banged the existing one up to get it off. Had to buy a special $40 Coupler Remover. No room for the normal Pulley Remover.

Did You Know: Burnzomatic propane torches cannot be used upside down. The liquid gas tries to flow out of the nozzle creating a huge nasty flame. I bought the hose extension to allow the tank to be flat on the floor and a hand-held nozzle used to help loosen the Nut and the Coupler.

New Stuffing Box stuffing. By the way, two websites state that when separating the main Stuffing Box nut (has the stuffing it) from the Lock Ring, you use two monkey wrenches and push the handles together to loosen the Nut. Nope, you pull the wrench handles apart to loosen the Nut. Went to Home Depot and bought a 10' length of 1 1/4" conduit. Cut it into two 4' sections and one 2' section. Used the 4' sections on the Monkey Wrenches to give more leverage when trying to loosen the nut. Used the 2' section with a small wood 2x4 block to remove the Prop Nut at the end of the shaft. The 2x4 was used to lock the prop blades against the keel to keep it from turning.

Did You Know: I bought the two 14" Monkey Wrenches at Walmart for $8/each. At the local ACE, they were $28/each.

About three months of boat-work to get her ready she's going to be fun...

Bob/Bradenton
'99 Atlas Acadia 25 "Petunia"
'01 Ranger "Martini" open launch 21 "Buttercup"

PS: Back to the original reason for my post, I haven't tried lifting the boat using the boat's Lifting Rings. As noted, these are not the bow/stern U-Bolts but real Rings on the deck that are connected directly the backs of the U-Bolts. Need to put new cable on the seawall davits way before I try this but I doubt that I'd use it for storing the boat, maybe just lifting her up to clean the bottom from time to time...

 

[bob daily]

Bob. I would love to see some pictures of your boat!
Thanks and good luck Bob

 

[hwhayes]

Bob,
Congratulations on the restoration job and the helpful hints. These will be useful in many circumstances.
I will follow up and add to my checklist the tip on the prop shaft rubber tube, thanks for the good advice!
I too hope that you will create a photo album and share some pictures with all of us.
Best Wishes
Harry

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

I was really surprised at the condition of that Packing Tube and also the exhaust tubing.

The exhaust tubing was very dried out and had surface cracks all over the outside.

That Packing Tube looked as is if had been in a fire. Very brittle, soft in spots and lots of surface cracks.

Everyone should check this vital rubber tube that connects the fiberglass shaft tube to the Stuffing Box. Mine also had a 1/2" tear in the outer rubber. Not good.

I'll see if I can figure out how to start an Album here.

Bob/Bradenton

 

[hwhayes]

Bob,
Regarding setting up a photo album; I've copied the following text from a couple of sources on this site. Maybe it will help in setting up a photo album:

First you have to request authorization to create a photo gallery.
Getting a User Photo Album for your Ranger Tug is easy but it requires submitting a request from within the site structure.

1. Sign on to the site, if you aren't already.

2. Select the User Control Panel link from the upper left corner of any page. Note: On the home page, this link is in your user menu.

3. Click the Usergroups tab, then select the radio button next to the User Albums group.
Scroll down, choose "Join selected" in the drop-down menu, and click the Submit button.

Once you do this, an email is automatically sent to the administrator. That message will trigger the administrators ability to approve your request, and you'll receive an email indicating your membership in the User Albums group has been activated.

Then Here's how to get started:

Click the Photo Albums link, at the top of any page. On the home page, this link is in your Content menu.

You should now see a "Your Album" link in the upper right corner. Click the link, and follow the step-by-step.

The "Your Album" link should be visible at the top level of the albums, accessible here or by clicking the "Photo Albums" link: gallery2.php

The first click of the link creates the album and takes you to it. After that, all the menus apply to whatever level you're on. You can create multiple albums within your primary (top-level album) if you want to create them for specific categories, places, etc.

Hope this helps.

If this is not clear (a real possibility since I've cobbled it together) you can also search for creating a photo album and that will give you some clarification.

Harry

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

Added a few pictures of "Buttercup" to my new Album. Looks like page six. More to come...Bob