Hello TugNuts,
I thought that I’d resurrect a rather old thread on the Ranger “Martini” 21’ open launch since I recently bought one.
She was built in 2001 by Ranger Boats, Kent, WA. Apparently the previous owners did not name her.
Equipped with a Yanmar 2GM20F 2-cylinder diesel, of which, it was running on just one. Stuck injector so I replaced it.
I’m pretty handy with boats/engines but I was fortunate that I called the local Yanmar guy to do the update work on the engine. Lots of tiny details that he caught that I would have never thought of. $1,350 later and it is now up to date on all maintenance.
This boat has the full SS canopy frame with a green Sunbrella top. Seats and top are in good shape but I need to figure out a way to anchor the cloth top down when the boat is stored since the Velcro strips that attach the top to the SS frame seem to tear off in high winds. Probably a tarp so I can cover the top and run lines down to the cleats.
Aside from the engine work, the electrical system is mostly being torn out and replaced by me. Lots of patches and misc. wiring going to misc. connections. The Yanmar gauge panel was going wacky and I thought that it was the sensors but it turns out that the main 4 gauge black ground cable to the panel had been cut at some point. No idea why on that but that was the cause of the wacky gauges.
Clipped off all of the old terminals, replaced them and now tracing the wiring to see what goes where. Some of the wires simply pulled out of the terminals. Not good.
These boats did not have self-draining cockpits and were reliant on the single small bilge pump to keep them afloat. So, a new 1100 with flapper where the old pump was located (1 1/8” hose with a new SS thru-hull) and a new 2200 with flapper (same type of hose/thru-hull) installed under the front of the engine fiberglass pan. There is a small 1” drain hole at the front of the pan. I’ll be cutting out a hole large enough so that the 2200 can sit lower in the bilge with the flapper up on the pan, about 4” above the 2200. It’s a “just in case” pump.
It seems that most of the original wiring was plain copper, not “marine” tinned copper. That’s odd for a professionally built boat. I am replacing the old rocker switch panel with a new PanelTronics outdoor toggle/fuse panel.
While tracing the wiring, I found the wires for the Fusion AM/FM. It blasted ON through the four speakers. “It’s Alive!!!”.
I need to replace both batteries. They work but are old. Plus they sit over the access to the Stuffing Box which I know needs new stuffing. It “rattles”.
Anyone know the proper size of the stuffing?
I’ve built replicas of 1890’s river launches in the past using old centerboard fiberglass sailboat hulls. Lots of woodwork so it’s a relief to have a similar boat with minimal wood to take care of. ("Wax On/Wax Off").
(I am having a manila rope “Bow Pudding” being made for it, however).
Just thought that I’d provide a few details about this unique boat. Should be fine for our local canals (mid-Gulf Florida) and some mild day cruises.
Bob/Bradenton
PS: Our other boat is an Atlas Acadia 25. Somewhat of the “Down East” style of the Ranger Tugs with an inboard Yanmar 170…
http://www.QuietCraft.com