Please Clarify Which Tugs have a Radar Reflector

[SGIDAVE]

There is confusion among the group.

Recent threads: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6531
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baz wrote:Ref: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5388&p=38644#p38644

Can the Ranger Tug factory provide this posting with the details covering whether the Ranger Tugs are equipped with radar reflectors. If some have it and some not can these details be posted.

For example, I have an R-25 (Classic, 2010 model) purchased Aug 2009. Does it have a radar reflector ? The above Ref indicates one is located within the stack. Is this correct ?

Thanks... 🙂
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Re: Smoke stack
Postby Kenny Marrs on Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:13 pm

2008 is when we started putting radar reflectors in all the boats.

-Kenny
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Since this is a CRITICAL SAFETY issue, as owners we need clarification as to WHICH Ranger tugs have been factory-fitted with radar reflectors. Kenny's response in 2011 quoted above needs qualification since Willies Tug is a 2014 model and it lacked a reflector.

I'm not trying to 'start' anything here except to draw the factory's attention to providing owners' with guidance on what critical safety equipment their boats have/don't have.

Thank you,

dave

 

[walldog]

I checked with the factory in Monroe and was told that my R31 had enough metal above and it was decided that a radar reflector Was not necessary. Wrong!! I do not have a command bridge. Even so I will wager that the command bridge with out a reflector does not give s very good radar return. I know my sedan does not.

 

[Stevan47]

Hi guys: LIkewise, my vessel is a 2009/2010 R21 and I would be keen to know exactly what is under the stack and/or if there is in fact a reflector installed. Will await developments, I guess. Stevan

 

[baz]

Thank you Dave.... I await the Factory response to this, and as my R-21EC is being built I will verify if a radar reflector is installed in the stack by actually going to the Kent factory to check. :roll: :twisted:

 

[Andrew Custis]

As of July 1st, 2014 we quit installing the radar reflectors. If your boat was built prior to that date, you have a radar reflector.

Thank you,

Andrew Custis

 

[Levitation]

Ahhh come on Andrew. You can't just drop that little bomb and walk away.
This is an important issue for some folks.
OK, so you have verified that all pre 2014 boats have a radar reflector in the stack - good enough.
What is the factory reasoning for now not installing a rather inexpensive item that is less than a 1 man hour installation?
Can the customer order a reflector during the build?
Might I suggest to Jeff that the factory simply spray a strip on the inside of the stack with contact cement and slap some aluminum foil to it.
5 man minutes ($2.91) and 25 cents in material.
Think of the goodwill that will buy :mrgreen:

cheers

 

[tlkenyon]

I usually just wear my customary tinfoil hat..... 😀

 

[jroyle]

I understand the SAFETY issue but my radar can pickup seagulls a mile or so away. I have been in fog so dense I couldn't see my bow but I was able to pick out 2 jet skiers 1.5 miles out. Not sure what a radar reflector buys you with the capabilities of the new radars?? After all a radar reflector is only usefull if the OTHER boats have radar??

 

[tuggertoy]

After all a radar reflector is only usefull if the OTHER boats have radar??

..... And have it turned on and actually know how to use it.

Eric
Tugger Toy
2006 R-21 Classic

 

[Andrew Custis]

It was an engineering decision as many of the models no longer have built in stack assemblies and are constructed differently. You could easily purchase the reflector and bolt it on to the mast of your boat 😀 .

The fact is that radar will still pick up your boat on the water with or without a reflector. I pick up buoys, dinghies and much smaller things on the water that have absolutely no metal attached to them. All of our boats have something inside it would reflect off of but might show a bit smaller as Herb says in an earlier post.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Thank you Andrew, I appreciate the clarification.

dave

 

[jroyle]

After all a radar reflector is only usefull if the OTHER boats have radar??

..... And have it turned on and actually know how to use it.

Eric
Tugger Toy
2006 R-21 Classic

l....
:lol: i would say at least 25% of owners on my dock haven't taken the time to understand how to use and understand what a valuable tool the radar is. Personally i feel radar should be a safety requirement such as lifejackets.

 

[Stevan47]

Hi Andrew: Thanks for the clarification. Interesting to know. Also just out of interest, though, can you describe to me what this radar reflector looks like - is it a sheet alloy metal plate/foil and how is it secured to the inside of the stack? As an ex-marine technician, I just love to know what makes things tick, so to speak. KInd regards

 

[Binare]

As of July 1st, 2014 we quit installing the radar reflectors. If your boat was built prior to that date, you have a radar reflector.

Thank you,

Andrew Custis

Is that still the case with boats made for the Canadian market? Can I have the factory install one at purchase?

I would hate to think what an insurance company could/would say in the unfortunate event of an accident if a boat does not have the required equipment.


Transport Canada says;

Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65’7”) and boats built of mostly non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required if:

• the boat is used in limited traffic conditions, daylight and favourable environmental conditions, and where having a radar reflector is not essential to the boat’s safety;

or

• the small size of the boat or its operation away from radar navigation makes it impossible to install or use a radar reflector.