New old purchase

[BillVT]

We have just purchased a 2006 R-21. It is hull #FML T21 16B 606. We have a copy of the Owner's Manual and I think most, if not all, of the other manuals . Our boat is equipped with the full aft canopy. The previous owner had added a Garmin 5208 with HD radar. We were wondering what, if anything, you can tell us about our vessel.

She is currently being put up for the long Vermont winter and we have removed the canopy for repairs. Can you tell us what material was used to construct the canopy in case the original material cannot sustain restitching?

While scrubbing her down today we noticed an AC male socket on the side of the engine cover and wondered what it was for. I am sure we will have more questions before launching in spring.

BillVT

 

[SGIDAVE]

We have just purchased a 2006 R-21. It is hull #FML T21 16B 606. We have a copy of the Owner's Manual and I think most, if not all, of the other manuals . Our boat is equipped with the full aft canopy. The previous owner had added a Garmin 5208 with HD radar. We were wondering what, if anything, you can tell us about our vessel.

She is currently being put up for the long Vermont winter and we have removed the canopy for repairs. Can you tell us what material was used to construct the canopy in case the original material cannot sustain restitching?

While scrubbing her down today we noticed an AC male socket on the side of the engine cover and wondered what it was for. I am sure we will have more questions before launching in spring.

BillVT

Hello Bill,

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase and WELCOME to the Ranger Tug family!

Is your R21 a "classic" or an "EC" (extended cabin)? The EC version was introduced during the 2006 model year. It has a slightly longer pilot house and correspondingly shorter cockpit. The EC has it's fuel tank under the aft bench seat whilst the R21 Classic has it's fuel tank under the engine box.

From your HIN you can surmise your boat was built in February 2006 (B6) and that it is a 2006 Model year boat. No surprises there.

The 120VAC inlet on the side of the engine box is probably for an onboard battery charging system. At least, this is my guess based on photos I've seen of earlier MY R21/R21EC's.

Your boat probably has a Yanmar 3YM series engine...is it the 20 or 30 HP version? How many hours on the engine?

The 5208 is a NICE display. I had one on a previous boat. Very nice. And the radar is a plus too.

When you say "full aft canopy" do you mean the "surrey" top with 8 NON-folding vertical uprights supporting it? Or do you mean the folding bimini top? The tops from the factory are usually made from Sunbrella brand Marine Grade ("Sunbrella Marine Grade") fabric in the "toast" color. It's good durable fabric which is widely available. If your top is not a tannish color then all bets are off - it could be anything. Your canvas-worker/professional should be able to look at it and tell you what it is. If you're having your top restitched or re-made, request they use UV-proof thread like Tenara or equivalent...it is impervious to UV whereas standard "UV-resistent" polyester is not really very UV resistant. Also, tops from the factory usually include zippers around the inside of the top such that they are 'ready' for side panels to be added to enclose the space. That's a nice feature.

Can you post some pics of your new boat?

Once again, Welcome!

dave

 

[BillVT]

Since the fuel tank is under the aft bench seat, it is probably an EC. It has the Yanmar 30hp. It has 400 hours on it.

I believe we are at least its' third owners. We are fairly certain that she has always been a freshwater boat. Based on stickers, we assume she started on Lake George in NY and then moved to Lake Champlain.

I found the manual for the on board charging system last night as I sorted the documentation for the boat.

Our boat came equipped with two stoves. An alcohol and a propane. I had googled the Kenyon KISS propane stove and found some disturbing reports of them catching fire. What do you equip the newer boats with?

We do have the surrey top. The reason why we asked about the material was that there seems to be a coating on the underside of the fabric unlike other Sunbrella material we've seen. There are zippers in place at certain points but not all around.

 

[SGIDAVE]

HEllo Bill,

That's a NICE looking 21EC! You will come to appreciate the whitish gelcoat as the fading from sunlight is much less pronounced in comparison to the darker colors now used. Last post on Tugnuts re: available gel coat colors, they say white is no longer available. That's a shame especially for southern US owners. And your red boot strip is cool.

My boat, a 2013 model year 21EC was ordered by the original owner WITHOUT the stove. I've never missed it. I've got a rail-mounted grill which suffices as my 'cooking' station - set up in the cockpit. Given the tight confines of the pilot house, I prefer to have my "fire" out in the relative spaciousness of the cockpit. Others opinions will vary...

Sunbrella fabric comes in several varieties. Standard Sunbrella Marine grade fabric has no "treatment" on the inside. In fact, there is no "inside" surface. Either side can be in or out as they are the SAME. There are other versions of Sunbrella to include the 'PLUS' version which has a urethane coating on the inside which provides even more water resistance. There is also something called Sunbrella "Supreme" which has a flocking-type treatment on the inside making it virtually water proof. I'm quoting this info from a website called Sailrite.com. They sell all this stuff and more. I have no commercial or financial association with them - just saying they are a good informational resource.

To my eyes your Surrey top is not factory supplied - at least mine (which I know to be factory supplied) looks different from what is shown in your picture. I'm not familar with the other options for fabric beyond the Sunbrella choices - but I'd guess there are several options in terms of suitable UV-stable acrylic fabrics.

The 21EC is a FUN boat! Too bad you have to winterize her right away...

dave

 

[rt11002003]

My last R21EC had a surrey top over the cockpit. It looked exactly like yours; appeared to be treated with something. Mine was a factory option; I'm guessing the early boats had tops made of that material.