R25OB construction photos

[trailertrawlerkismet]

For those interested in how a boat comes together in production we have made a post on our blog. Kismet is our third Ranger Tug, this time an R25OB. The blog address is http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com, if you’d like to take a look. Delivery in Des Moines in 2 weeks.

Jim F

 

[baz]

Jim:

Many, many, many thanks for taking the time to create this R25OB construction blog. For me, this is excellent while waiting for my model 2023 R25OB come next July/Aug 2022.

Let me ask some questions:

1) In the first photo showing the stern with a step ladder positioned in the swim step engine cutout, there appears to be a keel under the boat's stern area! Is it a keel ?

2) In none of the photos that expose the hull's bow section do I see the bow thruster's tunnel! Is it purposely missing, or simply not yet done? It's plainly missing in the final photo with the boat on the trailer. UPDATE... on a closer look with a magnifying glass, I do see it, but it's far more astern than where it normally resides! Is there a design reason for its further aft position ?

3) For the two aft pontoon portions of the engine platform (swim step) on port and starboard sides, there appears to be substantial inner volume space. Is this space accessible from the cockpit for extra storage space? See photo #3. I also note that the trim tabs attach to the aft end of of the transom, under these two pontoon shapes.

4) WITH RESPECT TO #3) it would be very useful for me to get a photo showing the full detail of what the underside of the hull's stern area looks like from what appears to be a keel all the way back to the aft end of the engine platform.

5) Can you explain what is showing in the photo right of the photo showing the engine attached to the engine platform? Maybe this is photo #5. Is it the charging controls/mechanism for the Lithium batteries maybe? How will this be access ed when boat fully assembled?

6) Do I see 6 Lithium batteries and 2 AGM batteries installed? ...with 4 of the Lithium ones in the center cockpit locker.

7) The air vent in top right corner of the helm console: Where does it get its air flow from? (from the cabin area or from outside of the cabin?) ...and does it have a specific toggle on/off switch to control the fan? On the R27OB that has the same helm vent, it's from the cabin area, and I believe if I recall, there's another vent on top of the helm console to aid with defogging the windshield.

8) Is the transom a separate assembly that somehow attaches to cockpit floor and the port and starboard sides ? I'm struggling to see how this transom area is finally assembled from the photos. I'm trying to see how all this comes together in the photo that shows the cockpit area with the transom and port side flip down seats.

9) Are the two pistons attached to sides of the center cockpit hatch spring/compressed-air or hydraulic operated?

10) In the final photo showing various electrical gauges and/or controllers, are they located on the aft wall of the cave area?

11) Where is the VHF radio located ?

12) Where is the fresh water tank's filler inlet located (port or starboard gunwale, and where, and can it be reached when filling and standing in the cockpit area?) ?

13) Does the helm seat swivel to port from being in its normal forward facing driver position ?

14) On my R29 CB the floors of the cabinets under the sink and the others had removable 2-piece floor sections with finger holes in them allowing the floor pieces to be easily lifted and removed to expose storage area underneath. Does the R25OB also have this feature?

15) I note that the cleats on the port and starboard sides of the engine platform are in different locations. I can see why the starboard one is located further aft due the the fold-away ladder, but why could not the port side one be in a similar position (between the two verticals of the safety U-shaped rail, as for the starboard side ?

16) I like the fact that the trim tabs also have vertical angles on their sides as apposed to just being on their rear ends.

17) I'm sure I have more questions for you.... :lol:

Thanks.... 🙂

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Barry. I’ll have to report back on your keel question. I do think what you see may be a bit of an illusion by the angle the photo was taken, but as to a keel I do not know. There is a bow thruster, it is very hard to see, again because of the angle. Not aware of the reason for the placement. I’m hoping that the area aft of the lithium batteries will be accessible for storage, also a lot inside of the seat transom. The pontoons you refer to I’ve been told help with improved stability. I’ll ask about your question 4. I’m not following question number 5. Maybe highlight what you’re asking about and email me that. You are correct on the batteries, 6 lithium iron (4 in center, 2 in port locker) along with 2 agm….one for start and one for thruster. Question 7, again I do not have the answer. The transom piece is one separate piece that fits over a lip at the actual transom, where it gets secured. I’m also guessing it gets secured to the deck from the inside. Transom locker pistons, I’m thinking they are compression type. Yes about the location of the electric panels, they are in the cave aft wall. I have not seen the exact vhf radio install location. Water fill is on starboard side, just outside of captains sliding window and if you had reaaaaaaly long arms you could fill from the cockpit but no, from the dock. I’m not aware if the captains seat swivels, it does fold up and out of the counter area. I do not know about the cabinet floor pieces, I hope so as it makes for additional storage. Good point on the platform cleats.

Got to go freshen up my coffee. Keep the questions coming, I’m learning with you.

Jim

 

[Robvic]

-Locker pistons are the normal compression type, human powered
-VHF radio is ahead of the throttle control next to the wheel
-captain's seat does not swivel
-cabinet floor pieces are removable
#5- all of those electric components are mounted to a board which is then mounted into the port lazarette. Picture just shows the board sitting there, not attached
#7- from cabin and yes controlled by fan switch
Rob

 

[baz]

1) I'm guessing the VHF radio is fwd of the engine throttle's base.

2) I'm really intrigue with what looks like a keel, so look forward to what you discover about it. Yea, photos can at time be deceiving.

3) Maybe when you have your 2-day on-the-water experience you can ask about the air vent (my question #7).

4) I'm guessing the pontoons not only improve stability, but also improve rigidity and strength for the engine platform as the 250HP weighs in at close to 550 lb. Maybe you can ask about them when you have your 2-day on-the-water experience.

5) So water fill and pump out are both on starboard side.

6) As I'm having the forced air Webasto diesel heater on my R25OB I suspect its diesel tank filler cap will be on port side gunwale, and hopefully within reach from me standing in the cockpit.

7) Let's hope RT has designed in the very useful floor panels in the cabinets for the extra storage space, just like they did on the R29 S/CB. However, after looking at your photos I see far too many wires, tubes, and even a pump that lay under the cabinet area. So my guess is there will be no removable floor panels inside and at base of the galley cabinet. :( UPDATE... I see someone else posted saying there are removable floor panels at base of cabinets.... Yea.... 😀 )

8) Keep the photos coming, and good luck with your delivery that must be only a few days away now for you.

9) Are you having auto pilot installed?

10) Can you ask about the Yamaha engine's trolling feature, and how well it works? I popped into my Yamaha engine service shop next to my Edmonds marina the other day and asked about it. They gave it very high marks, and said the engine clutch controls the drive (very quietly as well) to the prop to maintain a desired speed, and it's activated with an on/off button on the throttle's base and with another up/down button to adjust speed. They also said its use will in no way affect the longevity of the engine, but just blow/clean the engine with some high RPMs after fishing/trolling and returning to home port.

11) About the transom section. I'm convince looking at your photos that the transom that contains the electric grill is a separate mold that is placed down and attached in various places to cover up things. It seems the engine platform's top surface is one molded piece and the transom with it grill another molded piece.

12) I see that you've opted for radar. I've personally not opted for radar as I've found over the past I rarely use it except for very foggy weather situations. Since I avoid the fog as best I can, I decided to drop the radar option. The worst fog conditions are up in the San Juan Islands at times for me. I rarely have fog in my local Edmonds area.

13) I notice the aft end of the fuel tank is visible and accessible when the center cockpit's hatch is opened. 🙂

14) Is there a bilge pump fwd of the center Lithium batteries ? I don't see one.

BY THE WAY... current weather here is very iffy.... High winds, lots of rain, thunder at times... I've lost a few tree branches/limbs in my garden, and my sump pump is working hard to drain off water on my house concrete side walks.

The Hero Red hull looks awesome and shiny.

I've sent you a separate e-Mail enquiring about my earlier question #5... I'm intrigue to know what it is showing/revealing.

Have fun on the water's 2-day Factory experience.

 

[baz]

...snip...
#5- all of those electric components are mounted to a board which is then mounted into the port lazarette. Picture just shows the board sitting there, not attached
...snip...
Rob

Hey, THANKS. That explains what that is precisely. 🙂

 

[Someday*]

Great pics Jim!
They are building my R29 as we speak but I am way down here in Florida so can't get by the factory for any pictures :-(

 

[baz]

Great pics Jim!
They are building my R29 as we speak but I am way down here in Florida so can't get by the factory for any pictures :-(

Here are my factory build photos for my 2019 R29 CB -> https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1AGJDfWGGpTdYa

If you have questions or want more photos, let me know. 🙂 I've plenty more. 😱

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We’ve also got build photos from when our R29S was built in 2011/2012 model. http://Www.trailertrawlerlife.com then search for R29S construction photos.

Jim F

 

[Someday*]

Great pics Jim!
They are building my R29 as we speak but I am way down here in Florida so can't get by the factory for any pictures :-(

Here are my factory build photos for my 2019 R29 CB -> https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1AGJDfWGGpTdYa

If you have questions or want more photos, let me know. 🙂 I've plenty more. 😱

Thank you Baz....has having any of those photos helped you as you encounter problems with the boat...like knowing where something is from the photos? (If that makes sense?)

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’ve always found the construction photos to be helpful, at some point in the future. The ancillary benefit is that you also know how to best approach a project if it involves running a new wire, hose, etc.

Jim F

 

[baz]

Someday*

The best part of going to the factory to take photos of the boat being assembled is not just for the photo shooting, but to be able to chat with the factory people (the ones that actually have hands-on building the boat) about what they are doing and why they are doing it in a certain way etc.

Yes, knowing where all the wires, tubes, pumps, and hoses are is important at any time later on during ownership if you're about to make a modification or drilling a hole somewhere.

It also gives you the chance at the factory to ask questions about things on the boat. When I was at the factory, I found (actually, I was told) they were building me an R29 S rather than an R29 CB. The central office had not sent the factory my change order from my original request for a R29 S to the R29 CB. It was kind of funny to some extent, and I ended up with some of the R29 S options that I had dropped when changing to the R29 CB.... I was fortunate in this regards.

When the boat is fully assembled many things are simply hidden from view, and knowing what lays behind bulkheads, or where a hose starts and ends can prove to be very useful, and avoids having to call the RT tech team for advice.

Also note, that every boat of a particular model being built will not be exact replicas. The factory and RT typically make changes on the fly to some extent, and for example, on one boat the depth finder will be located at point A while on another identical model it is relocated and positioned in another place B. Because of this when calling back to RT tech team later on (could be a few months or even a year or two), it's not always clear where a certain component maybe located. Taking photos as the boat is being built resolves this aspect to a large degree.

Typically, the battery locations end up being in somewhat concealed places, making them hard to see and remove later on. Noting how they are attached to their base starboard supports and noting where the bolts/screws are makes removing the batteries easier knowing which screws can be removed allowing the battery bank to be slid into view, and with the connecting battery cables having enough slack allowing for the battery removal(s).

Knowing where the Webasto diesel fired furnace is located and what screws/bolts to remove safely when needing to repair it also helps.

At one point I noticed one of the electrical sockets for the down rigger was misplaced, and noting this, allowed for it to be corrected before the boat was delivered to me.

All I can say is, that if you're in the area of the factory when your boat is being built, it is very worthwhile asking RT to allow you to visit the factory. I'm lucky in that I'm no further than a 30 min car ride to any of the factories they build the R23OB, R25OB, R27OB, R29S/CB and the R31 S/CB models. The R41/43 is another matter being further away from me, thank goodness. :lol:

 

[aintmissb]

Bay, that’s so as to keep temptation away?