Manuals and Keys

[KKBoatFanatic]

Our new-to-us 2015 R-29S just arrived in Northport, MI this morning - we are SOOOO excited! Took quite a while to remove the shrinkwrap and get her cleaned up a bit on the trailer, but she's ready to launch tomorrow and - hopefully - we'll be taking her on her maiden voyage to Suttons Bay. We've been going through the two black briefcases filled with manuals for all of the various parts and motors and systems on the boat, and were startled to discover that there is no manual for the actual BOAT. I contacted the former owner (who bought the boat brand new), and he said he never had an operation manual for the boat. Is this true? I've never had a boat that didn't have some sort of general set of instructions. I'm planning to contact Ranger tomorrow, but thought I'd ask some fellow Ranger owners tonight.

 

[KKBoatFanatic]

I forgot to add that we also seem to be missing a key - at least, I couldn't find one anywhere. Maybe what I'm looking for doesn't actually resemble a key...??? But without having any sort of manual from Ranger showing the layout of the helm, I don't know where a key would go if we had one. Can anybody give me any insight on this?

 

[ixlr8]

I have no idea on the keys. Ranger keeps talking about producing a manual for several of their boats, but nothing so far for most models. At the moment they give out the manufacturer manuals for each system and expect you to figure out how everything ties together. The complaints about no manuals is getting louder, factory says they are working on them, but nothing so far.

 

[Connerkip]

The key is actually an electronic key. It is maybe 1" square black plastic. You hold it up to the start button at the helm. I belIeve it's described in the Volvo manual.

 

[Wildcats]

Here is a link to the R29 manual previously posted by Andrew Custis of Ranger Tugs. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2392

 

[2Troopers]

And if you've cycled the engine battery, you shouldn't even need the key. Pushing the "ignition" button will be bring up the engine display and from there, hitting the "start" button will have you in your way.

Welcome aboard.
BK

 

[a_nyc_scott]

Congratulations on your new R-29S! I have the same boat (same model, same year). It's a wonderful boat. I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Unfortunately, there is no owner's manual for this boat. The link helpfully provided by another tug nut is for an earlier version of this boat. In 2015 the boat was completely redesigned. Since 2015 no new model Ranger boat has come with an owner's manual (R-29s, R-23, R-27). It is a mystery why such a great company, that makes such a great product has chosen to stop documenting it. It makes life difficult for new owners (this is my first ranger tug).

As far as the boat goes, I couldn't ask for a better fit for my priorities. I don't trailer it so having a 10' beam is a real plus. The forward birth is very comfortable (I really like the fact that you can walk around the bed). I've used it for week long cruising and found it a joy. I easily single hand it and find docking it with the bow and stern thrusters a breeze. The 260HP Volvo will get me to 18-20kts which is about as fast as I need to go. I like the torque of diesel engines!

I've added a couple of features since I've owned it (and will be adding a few more this winter when I pull it out of the water). I've added a second chart plotter (the one that comes with the boat is a garmin model 7212, I've added the new garmin 7612 as a second plotter). Now each time a new generation of plotter comes out I swap out the old plotter and upgrade. I've upgraded the AIS system. The boat comes with and AIS 300 (which only receives), I updated it to the AIS 600 which sends/receives. I've added a camera to the back of the boat (reverse image for backing down) and integrated it into the chart plotter. Helpful when I'm docking but also very helpful to see if anyone is overtaking me when I'm underway. I've also added side view mirrors (port and starboard) which I find very helpful as well.

Best of luck!

Scott (Mighty Quinn)

 

[a_nyc_scott]

Also, with respect to the "keys". You should have a key to the rear door (standard lock, standard key). The ignition is controlled by a chip (not a traditional key). This is a small square of plastic. When I got my boat there were two sets of each of these keys (two back door keys and two chips for the ignition).