Gin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
- 874
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-31 S
- Vessel Name
- Echo II (2019)
This is the first of several posts to describe a bunch of modifications I made to our Ranger Tug 27 this fall. I ended up with some nice blocks of time on my hands, so I made a list of all the modifications I have been considering in the three years we have had our tug. A nice action-forcing event to get them done is that the Christmas Ships parade season starts in December. Some of my modifications will make life easier for night-time boating and parade activities.
This modification was to have rear view mirrors for both port and starboard sides. Others have installed mirrors, and I have been intrigued by the idea. Especially for the starboard side where, on the R27, the head blocks the view to the rear. I have been slow to install anything, though, because the permanent installations all posed problems ranging from drilling through the cabin wall (something I didn't want to do if I could avoid it) to having a mirror in the way when walking along the side to get to the front deck.
What I came up with is a mirror made by a company called Doubletake (doubletake.com). They have a couple of different shapes. But the important part is that their mirrors have a 1" ball on the end that works with Ram Mount hardware. Ram makes a vast range of mounts, arms, adapters, etc for GPS and other electronics. I had some components already that I had used with GPSs. I purchased an attachment for the 1" rail outside the helm window and then used some extension arms that I already had to go from that mount to the mirror. The mirror is very adjustable, easily moved out of the way for access to the foredeck, and easily taken off. Ram mounts are strong and durable -- they easily stand up to weather, wind, saltwater, etc. These particular mirrors are pretty bullet proof too -- they are made for cross-country dirt bike style motorcycles. I'm finding the starboard side mirror handy for checking boating traffic behind me generally. I can also get a reasonably good view of the dock on either side when docking up. I'm still getting used to relying on them. But so far, I like the system. Happy to provide more info about what components I used and where I got them to anyone interested. Just PM me.
This photo doesn't show the components as well as I'd like, but it will give you a general idea. The mirror can be set up horizontally or vertically, and moved to just about any angle. Click on the image to enlarge.
- Gini
This modification was to have rear view mirrors for both port and starboard sides. Others have installed mirrors, and I have been intrigued by the idea. Especially for the starboard side where, on the R27, the head blocks the view to the rear. I have been slow to install anything, though, because the permanent installations all posed problems ranging from drilling through the cabin wall (something I didn't want to do if I could avoid it) to having a mirror in the way when walking along the side to get to the front deck.
What I came up with is a mirror made by a company called Doubletake (doubletake.com). They have a couple of different shapes. But the important part is that their mirrors have a 1" ball on the end that works with Ram Mount hardware. Ram makes a vast range of mounts, arms, adapters, etc for GPS and other electronics. I had some components already that I had used with GPSs. I purchased an attachment for the 1" rail outside the helm window and then used some extension arms that I already had to go from that mount to the mirror. The mirror is very adjustable, easily moved out of the way for access to the foredeck, and easily taken off. Ram mounts are strong and durable -- they easily stand up to weather, wind, saltwater, etc. These particular mirrors are pretty bullet proof too -- they are made for cross-country dirt bike style motorcycles. I'm finding the starboard side mirror handy for checking boating traffic behind me generally. I can also get a reasonably good view of the dock on either side when docking up. I'm still getting used to relying on them. But so far, I like the system. Happy to provide more info about what components I used and where I got them to anyone interested. Just PM me.
This photo doesn't show the components as well as I'd like, but it will give you a general idea. The mirror can be set up horizontally or vertically, and moved to just about any angle. Click on the image to enlarge.
- Gini
