Suggested Factory modifications

[knotflying]

The only issue with an "official" manual is that even within a model year systems and wiring change. If one were to do an on line manual there should probably be Hull identification numbers clarifying which models have which models have which systems and wiring diagrams.

 

[stwendl]

I realize that but the current manual is not even close to the wiring, or perhaps just to one model. My understanding is that wire looms are used and some of the wires are used and some will be dormant as a certain feature is not installed.

the factory seems to be pretty good in minimizing changes as the generations come along to reduce manufacturing costs. Any alterations are costly in time and material, so sometimes its cheaper to have some extra wires in there (unless they are 4 Gauge 🙂

-sww

 

[SnugTug]

I propose to have an online manual in the style of a wikipedia that can be edited by owners and is moderated by some one. Features should include year of manufacture to accommodate differences

Start with a wikipedia type version of the existing manual and let the users hack away

I like this idea very much. Anyone familiar with wiki pages should appreciate how much easier it would be to track down solutions and suggestions in this format. The key as you suggest would be to have the factory screen posts for accuracy and to avoid misleading or incorrect information.

 

[nzfisher]

stwendl wrote:
I propose to have an online manual in the style of a wikipedia that can be edited by owners and is moderated by some one. Features should include year of manufacture to accommodate differences
Start with a wikipedia type version of the existing manual and let the users hack away

This oft thought idea would be best expressed to Sam Bisset who after many small pushes seemed to have been instrumental along with Bruce Moore in producing the Owner's Customization thread (no doubt other unseen hands were in play) . I would happily contribute and possibly save Andrew, Ivan, and Kenny some head scratching time about my boat issues on the phone in the future. No doubt in would require some coding expertise and maybe a link to another site. Saving the hard earned experience of those who work on their boats has a great value to future users and Ranger Tugs.

Regards factory modifications-
This is a little off of topic but worth mentioning for those interested. In a prior life I was a custom manufacturer in an area dissimilar to Ranger but similar in the context of customers and small manufacturing. We found that we made the most $$ on production items that were included in our stock manufacturing system/software (how fast can you utilize means of production to produce a quality product). That being said, our customer base was demanding and wealthy enough that serving them and retaining market share required us to have a multiple shift, separate custom modification facility in order to accommodate the "special" items the customers wanted (but we don't want it like that- we want this). If the custom ideas were recurring and seemed to make sense, they were incorporated into the production process (software and production systems). The advantage here was substantial as it enabled us to accommodate the changing needs of our clientele and be in both the production and custom markets. We found it to be of paramount importance to be in both markets in an ultra competitive environment. The ability to modify became a sales and marketing tool and sharpened our manufacturing capacity.