Please help

[Beanbaron]

Hi. We have a 2022 Ranger 27 OB that we purchased new last summer. One of the screws (bolts) on the rear folding seat fell out and disappeared. I’ve called the factory and left messages at parts (Ray) as well as emails (Ray) several times over last 2 weeks. Would really love to get a replacement as soon as possible. If Ray is no longer with us, please ask his replacement to help me. Thank you,

 

[American Flyer]

Remove one of the remaining screws, take it to Ace hardware, and match it with a new stainless screw. I’ve replaced a few this way.

 

[glider4]

American Flyer +1
Those screws are probably under a dollar at Ace. Buy a spare or two while you are there.
And if Ace doesn’t have the right stainless screw size then try McMaster Carr online. They have almost every screw, bolt, nut and fastener known to mankind. Shipping will be way more expensive than the screw though.
With normal use the seat is probably just fine missing a single screw. We lost one screw on our starboard fold down cockpit seat in heavy seas last month when the seat was hit by a portable freezer flying around in the cockpit. We are using the seat gingerly until off-season when it’s going to get a complete rebuild.

 

[sailor1man]

and make sure that you use threadlocker blue on all the threads to make sure that they stay screwed in; factory puts a small drop on some, but not enough to hold, best to ensure that this is done on all machine screws or you will be losing others.

 

[wa7pug]

To redouble sailor1man's comment: apparently Ranger does not bed hardware - at least on my R-25 I have not found any stanchion, exhaust port, door hardware or mast hardware that has been bedded yet. I use Sikaflex or 3m 5200 (I prefer Sikaflex, but that is just preference). Look at your mounted hardware over the winter and remove, clean, bed and replace components and screws wherever possible ...when you have to replace or upgrade hardware, be sure to properly bed it.... your boat will be the better for it! In for a penny, you might as well get in for a pound.

 

[RThorn]

As much as some people dislike West Marine, I have found they have a great selection of stainless nuts, bolts, etc at a lower price than our big box hardware stores

 

[Beanbaron]

Great suggestions and much appreciated; thank you all.
I’m reminded of what the nuns would say: “Do you want to be happy or do you want to be right?” I’m absolutely floored by the number of issues that we’ve had with a new, nearly $250,000 boat. I dare say that if Ford or GM sent their customers to the parts store for a litany of quality control issues, their customers would have fits…even for $75,000 trucks. When friends ask how we like the boat and we tell them our experience, they are astounded. But I do very much appreciate your guy’s help. Thank you.

 

[sailor1man]

nb 3M 5200 is a permanent solution -- almost impossible to remove, use one of the sikaflex caulks or 3M 4200
Also, use 316 stainless machine screws and screws -- the 304 used by the factory rusts. McMaster Carr or Bolt Depot are good sources

 

[cruz-in]

To redouble sailor1man's comment: apparently Ranger does not bed hardware - at least on my R-25 I have not found any stanchion, exhaust port, door hardware or mast hardware that has been bedded yet. I use Sikaflex or 3m 5200 (I prefer Sikaflex, but that is just preference). Look at your mounted hardware over the winter and remove, clean, bed and replace components and screws wherever possible ...when you have to replace or upgrade hardware, be sure to properly bed it.... your boat will be the better for it! In for a penny, you might as well get in for a pound.

WOW! I am amazed at this.

Is not bedding hardware a production practice (like they never do it) or was this a quality escape?

A plywood cored deck and not bedding hardware, is nuts...

 

[Brian98133]

Ditto on the 316! I've always assumed that West Marine, Fisheries Supply, etc., would carry 316. However, some of my screws from these two places started discoloring/rusting! Only some of them. Weird.
So I called both places and inquired about what grade S/S they sold, and it turns out that they just specify "stainless" in their purchasing, and whatever they get, they get. (almost direct quote from them) At least, that was what I was told...

I have been using Bolt Depot, who let you specify what grade. They have been great! I'm sure there are plenty places like this, but the takeaway is that we can't apparently assume that marine suppliers automatically sell 316.