Purchasing a ranger Tug 27 2012

[sebagolittle]

I am looking at a ranger tug in a few days and really want to buy it. My wife and I have two young kids and want to explore the southeast. It has 532 hours and has just about every option but a trailer. Is there anything in particular I need to look out for, known issues for this year tug etc. It looks clean from the pictures but we'll see in person. I am concerned about the fading of the gel coat since I live in SE North Carolina. I guess painting the hull will have to be in the 5 yr plan. Any insight, recommendations or tips would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[baz]

Don't buy it without having a certified Marine Survey done. The R-27 is a fine boat and if well looked after should be in good condition after 6 years and some 530 engine hrs.

 

[scross]

2012 was one of the last years RT used the Yanmar Diesel engines. There’s a 500 hour service that should have been done on the boat at that time. Yanmar consumable parts (filters, belts, etc.) can be pricey and hard to get quickly. Finding a good local mechanic familiar with Yanmar diesels can be a challenge depending on where you live. Get a good marine survey on the boat AND a mechanical inspection of the drive train before closing the sale. A sea trial is also important.
If you decide to get a trailer, my bias is towards an aluminum trailer with electric over hydraulic brakes.

 

[knotflying]

There were two important service bulletins that should have been done. One is the oil line, however, some boats in 2012 did not need that done. The line goes from the oil sending unit and heads down to a banjo fitting it should be a rubber hose the whole way except at the ends. The other is the software update for the oil pressure. A thorough check by a surveyor is always a good thing. Also, if the owner kept a log of all service done and review of the log is a good practice. Hopefully things turn out well. We have a 27 and it fits us just fine. Have done most of the east coast and plenty in Florida. About 7,800 miles nautical. If you can get a float on trailer, you can't go wrong. They are in Vero Beach and know the setup for the boat. If you are going new I would see if you can get all stainless rotors and calipers. They are a bit pricy, but are well worth it.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

[sebagolittle]

I appreciate all of the help.

 

[rpmerrill]

The 2012 boats had vinyl seat covers that cracked and crumbled.
The factory offered new covers free to original owners and at cost to any second+ owners.

The new covers are beautiful and I was able to install them myself. (Check my photo album)
Not sure if this is still being offered? Perhaps your original owner can get a deal from the factory (or already has).

 

[sebagolittle]

Are there any common issues from this year or size tug? From what I've read all have been minor issues but nothing major. Great site for info

 

[scross]

Nothing major that I’m aware of but the upholstery mentioned can be a $1,200 issue. The 500 hour service is close to $1,000 if done professionally. If you pay to haul out and bottom paint that can be a bit pricey. There’s lots of mentions of physically painful bow and shear thruster pins needing replacement- some due to owner error, some not. Cooktop problems come up on the forum. Sticky windows, etc., etc. are things you deal with on occasion. Yanmar parts can be challenging to find and are not cheap!
Again, nothing major like hull delaminations or engine fires.
Factory support is excellent. Most non-engine parts for the older boats can be found either from the factory or 3rd party vendors if your patient and know how to search the Internet.

 

[knotflying]

Nothing major to report. The service bulletins are the most crucial and if not done should be done by the current owner or reflected in the price. If the boat has the vinyl seats that have not been redone then you may want to address those I would assume by this time they started to flake. Everything else is purely maintenance and upkeep. Remember a boat is a boat, you need to keep on top of things.

 

[ronmaloney]

Regarding your hull luster. I purchased a 2011 R-27 last year which had a very dull hull. The local yard suggested I use Shurhold Buff Magic to clean then Shurhold Pro Polish to protect. Worked great. Looks like a new hull. It was also much easier than rubbing compound and easier on the gel-coat.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i bought a 2012 cutwater 28 with the volvo engine - so similar boat.

I have 502 hours on the boat. nothing beyond normal maintenance and servicing required. I had the blue hull polished professionally this winter and it looks great.