Pantograph windshield wipers

We all paid big bucks for our Ranger Tugs, but we certainly got short-changed when it comes to those pathetic windshield wipers and those sliding window port and starboard that don't slide, are disgraceful and a joke.

Year-after-year Ranger continues to use these inferior components in their boats and still ask a premium price and ignores the numerous complaints.

Don't get me wrong I love my Ranger Tug, but I shouldn't have to put up with such a miserable inadequate manufacturing components such as the sticky windows and those lousy windshield wipers.

Shame on you, are you listening Ranger?

Bob
 
Hello Bob,

Thank you for the note. I think it is quite evident that we listen to our customers. If you were to compare your 2010 Ranger Tug to a brand new 2015, I think you would see where we have listened quite well. I can understand your complaint about the windshield wipers on our boats but the design was never intended to be used with a pantographic style as you may have wished for.

If you were to look at all of our models we currently build, the only models left without the pantographic style is the Ranger 25 and Ranger 27. I would say that is listening pretty well considering we build 11 different models of boats right now and 9 of those now have pantographic wipers which were all produced after your 2010 25 was.

To answer the complaint about the windows, these are built in Canada and considered to be the highest quality window you can purchase. As you should know, the salt water environment in which you keep your boat can be very tough on things so it is important to also maintain your boat to keep operating just as they did from day one.

We certainly cannot please everyone but I can tell you that we try harder than most to make sure all of our customers have a great experience with their Ranger Tug or Cutwater.

Andrew Custis
 
Don't get too defensive Andrew. Your "list" of related improvements is appropriate and educational and we are all pleased to have you and your team so demonstrably behind the product, and so committed to continual improvement. Remember, we all love your boats as much as you do and are only occasionally frustrated by the "little" things that are only frustrating because the rest of the boat is just so damned good! BTW - did you install intermittent switches on the wipers of all models yet? :lol:
 
Hey there Paul,

Really, I am not being defensive at all, just answering to a direct statement about our boats.

To answer your question regarding intermittent wipers, no we have not done this and currently do not have plans to add as an option on our boats but I am confident your dealer who you purchased the boat from could easily add such a thing. Just remember, all it takes is money. 😀
 
Andrew,
I am not sure of the price difference between your current wiper arm on the R-25 and R-27, but it appears that the Imtra replacements I bought are much better construction than what you are currently using. I have not had them long enough to really see how they hold up to the salt water environment, so time will tell. I can tell you that they are obviously built with a better spring and the material at the knuckle seems of better quality.
I will post again to give an update on the performance.

Mike Rizzo
 
River Bank stated above ; "Shame on you, are you listening Ranger?"

Really??? I can compare my 2012 boat to a 2009-2010 and see many improvements that Ranger has implemented. My windows work fine and Diamond Seaglaze is the standard choice for most high end boats. Yes, you need to maintain them and they will treat you well, if not they will get sticky along with the side door. If I bought a four year old boat I would find it hard to beat-up the manufacturer for normal wear and tear. As far as the windshield wipers, I have never had a problem with the motors or the wiper arms. Would pantographic wipers be better, sure....I'll get them on my next RangerTug. I replace the wiper arms once a year and MAINTAIN them with graphite spray. I, for one, believe Ranger does listen and there should be no shame on their part.
 
Had the same problem on my R25. Turned out that the pivot pin on the wiper arm was partially seized, so the spring wasn't pulling the wiper blade against the windshield properly. Used "Yield" (a commercial anti-oxidant designed to loosen seized nuts) on the pivot pin, problem went away, didn't come back all year. Worth a try!
 
My new (for me) 2010 Ranger R25 has, so far, proven to be better than I considered possible. Runs well, is surprisingly smooth in rough water, and has ample capacity for the type of sailing we do.

Yesterday we were out in a heavy rain for the first time - I was surprised to find that none of the four wiper blades touched the glass - I suppose this reduces glass wear, but it does nothing to improve our visibility in rain.

Can someone tell me the part numbers of the Imtra wiper arms and blades that seem to restore the "new car" spring to the wiper blades? I don't mind the cost or effort of replacing the blades, and from this thread, it seems they are a reasonable upgrade without significant alteration of the as-built design.

Thanks /Stu
 
As expected from others' experience reported here, the factory wipers on my boat have stunk for the last year. Then a little lubrication where the arms pivot brought joy. I suspect these joints want to stiffen up in the wrong position when the wipers stay parked for a while on or above the window gasket.
 
Hi

I have been using WD40 at the pivot points and also use Rain X on the windows.
This combination work is working good for me the last several year with no problems.

Dennis

R27 Tug of my Heart 11
 
I tried to order Knot flying's tip about buying Imatra wiper arms and wiper blades from Defender. It seems Defender no longer supplies the Imatra product. I bought a 12" Roca blade Defender part number 305891LEN012 for 7 dollars and change.
I ordered a wiper arm Roca pendulum arm which has adjustable length Defender part number 304833CPP218 for 49 dollars and change. Both items seem to fit and seem to be a little better than the stock stuff. On our 2014 R 27 it only had one set screw at about the 12 o'clock position under the pivoting cover at the base of the arm. The Roca arm has a much stronger spring and has an adjustable tip. They use a split splined connection for the arm to the shaft. A 1/4 x 20 sized stainless steel Allen head bolt with a floating nut that recesses into the arm so you just have to tighten the Allen headed bolt and squeeze the arm to the shaft. All this is much easier to deal with than the small sort of hidden allen type set screws that are easy to loose as the are about only 3/16All this seems a lot more serviceable. I just did the helm window for now.
 
Andrew


We need to replace our windshield wipers. We have the older model ones which don't work. Where can i purchase new ones and any recommendations?

Roy (Island Hopper)
 
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