READY TO PURCHASE 2019 23 TUB BUT FEARFUL OF ISSUES SEEN ON

T

TUGGY

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Oct 27, 2020
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Fluid Motion Model
C-242 C
HI
I AM NEW TO THIS GROUP
I HOPE TO BUY A 19 23 TUG AND SOME SOME CONCERNS
THERE IS AN 18 IN MY MARINA WITH SOME ISSUES
RUST ON BOTTOM OF STANTIONS, RUB RAIL FADING BADLY, AND RECTANGLE PORT WINDOWS IN BERTH ON OUTSIDE ARE LOSING BLACK COLOR AND GETTING ALMOST WHITE
THE BOAT IS IN SALT WATER
I KNOW THAT THE ELEMENTS CERTAINLY AFFECT THINGS BUT THIS IS HAPPENING WAY TO FAST
FOR A 2 YEAR OLD BOAT IM GETTING A LITTLE GUN SHY ON GETTING THE 19
PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND WHY
I SPOKE TO ANOTHER 23 OWNER ON PHONE AND STATED STANTIONS STARTED RUSTING IMMEDIATLY
OPINIONS PLEASE
THANK YOU IN ADVACE
DAVID
















ALSO, THE RUBRAIL
 
Hi David!

For the stainless hardware on the boat, we use On & Off. This works on the fiberglass as well as the stainless for any type of staining. Be sure to use a liberal amount of water during the process and avoid getting On & Off on any canvas, vinyl, plastic, rubber, etc.

As for the rub rail, I use a wool buffer and some marine-grade buffing compound. The rub rail can be burnt easily; it may be more comfortable to rub the compound in by hand. I would then immediately follow up with a good wax.

As for the hull window trims, I would give them a good scrub. Oxidation can tend to build on the trims. Some magic eraser and light rubbing would work as well.

Thanks!
 
Hey David. Welcome to the forum. We have a 2018 R-23 and we love it. There’s a lot of work involved keeping all the systems, decking and hardware looking good but when you take care of your boat it will take care of you. My 2018 looks as good as new but it doesn’t stay that way without some elbow grease. Pay for a good marine survey then get the seller to have the boat detailed by a professional BEFORE you sign any purchase agreement. Once you see the results of the survey and professional detail you can make your decision.
Cheers,
Karl
 
Capt'nKarl":2lf4f7t4 said:
Hey David. Welcome to the forum. We have a 2018 R-23 and we love it. There’s a lot of work involved keeping all the systems, decking and hardware looking good but when you take care of your boat it will take care of you. My 2018 looks as good as new but it doesn’t stay that way without some elbow grease. Pay for a good marine survey then get the seller to have the boat detailed by a professional BEFORE you sign any purchase agreement. Once you see the results of the survey and professional detail you can make your decision.
Cheers,
Karl
Click to expand...
I totally agree with everything Karl says. We love our 2018 R23 and although not in showroom mint condition, it is in great condition. The fact is, boats require lots of maintenance and upkeep, no matter how new they may be. I'm definitely starting to do a little more maintenance with our boat now in its 3rd year than I did in the first but that's ok because I enjoy working on the boat. YMMV. Good luck in your decision.
 
Elbow grease is part of boat ownership. No boat stays pristine without some TLC. I'm fixin' to polish some railings right now!
 
I'm pretty new to all this but it seems like a key piece is to keep things clean as you go. We keep our boat in the water in salt water and rinse down with fresh water after every trip. Then also just some general cleaning every so often if we don't go out.

Seems like just some detail stuff can sometimes have an issue. Like, we have screws that attach the railing to the swim platform almost 100% rust after just a few months. Maybe just a bad batch of screws for this area? Or it's getting salt water when underway and I'm not cleaning enough. Not sure but I will just replace the screws with new stainless at some point.

But I don't think above is specific to RT at all - just as others have stated, boats require attention.

Trick is to have fun with it, IMO.
 
One of the first things we learned when we bought our first Ranger Tug, an R-25 Classic. They call it "stainless steel" because it stains less. Otherwise they'd call it "stainfree". Three Ranger Tugs later, we've learned to keep it clean and waxed. Plenty of good products available. Better to keep up with it than to let it go. That way it's a pastime rather than a chore.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
Agree....for me I get to do my maintenance next to the intercoastal watching dolphins go buy. Who can complain?.
 
Great discussion. I think it's fair to point out that not all stainless steel is created equal. Here is some general information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel. I found this out when I bought a made in china bathroom fixture that cost a fraction of the German made Grohe fixtures I own. I immediately noticed that it holds water stains that can never be cleaned, at least, by conventional clearers. I also note the early 80s Bertram next to my slip. The stainless looks great and the owners show up to clean their boat at least twice per year...whether it needs it or not 😱 😱 . I'm happy with my FM purchase and think that if Bertram made a boat my size and that quality level, it would sell for the best part of a mega-buck. Based on Marco's advise, I just ordered some On and Off...although, took me a while to find since I was searching for In and Out...must be hungry.
 
Never fear. Its not really an issue...

The reality is that all boats are tons of work to maintain. This one is not bad. I have the R23, keep it in brackish water and cruise salt almost exclusively. I use salt away and a good rise every time. AND a sealant I forget the name of as well. There are a number of products to remove rust stains as well, easily. And rust is inevitable. At least in salt. And its all good.

Boats are what you get to use up the extra time and money you have when the kids leave home... <smile>
 
For many years, we have used Collinite 850 metal wax for cleaning and protecting stainless steel.
It quickly gets rid of rust stains on the stainless and leaves a wax protection to help reduce future staining.
This product is superior to the metal cleaners that have acids in them.
Give this stuff a try, and you will be a believer.

https://www.amazon.com/Collinite-850-Me ... tag=hyprod 20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312279483767&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17695439206253236470&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031291&hvtargid=pla-538226039990&psc=1
 
+1 for Collinite 850 Metal Wax!
 
Red Raven":2gzlp4zo said:
+1 for Collinite 850 Metal Wax!
Click to expand...

Best product I have found for the Stainless Steel. I use a cotton glove to apply it and wipe it off with a cloth.
 
Love Collinite 850. I find it not only better for protecting metal, but also easier to use.
 
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