We do our 2 day orientation this weekend..advice?

[Someday*]

On our R29CB
Doing it at Sweetwater Marine in FM,FL.
Saw the boat for the 1st time last Friday. We know they go over a detailed check list during this process but just wondering if there are specific items/issues we should look out for?

thanks
Keith

 

[Rocky]

Congrats on the new boat!!!!
During the orientation, First hint is to relax an enjoy it!! You'll feel like a kid on Christmas morning, but try to relax and remember the experience!
Hints - Keep a note pad handy - Especially when setting up the electronics. The Garmin has a lot of menus and it is easy to forget "what is where" at first..
Video certain things. We watched some ours a few times.
Ask Questions!!!!!
also always remember- This isn't the end of the relationship. You can always call Ranger Tugs and ask questions - so don't worry if you come across something that you forgot.
Keep the checklist. We have had our boat nearly 4 years. I just recently pulled out the checklist to remember which bottom paint was used so my yard could repaint with similar stuff.
And most important.....Have fun and enjoy the boat. We love our R29S!!
Congratulations

Rocky

 

[BB marine]

If you go over the complete check sheet with the technician delivering the boat. You should be fine. If you have a question about the function of an item have them explain and show you that it is functioning properly. If the technician is not sure about the operation mark the item to go over after he /she gets information about the item. There is a lot to learn about. Don't try to learn it all during the orientation. You will learn as you go to get a better understanding. To me this is the time to see all the equipment and have a demonstration that everything is working and installed properly. Confirm that there is a Volvo PDI done. This is a separate check sheet. This should have been done by a certified Volvo technician and checked all boxes. This tells Volvo that the engine in the boat was inspected by a certified Volvo technician and the installation was done as per their recommendations. This check sheet will show you the WOT rpm ,full boost, shows that the alignment as been checked and is within specifications, oil, engine temps, and boat performance numbers should be recorded as found when the service the technician did the PDI. This sheet should be checked by you and signed and then sent into Volvo to start your warrantee.

On another note: Our friends just arrived at Sweetwater yesterday in a 32 Legacy, We will be visiting over the next few weeks. I will be there helping do a rudder seal replacement hopefully we will get to see your New Ranger Tug and meet you.

 

[Bob/Bradenton]

"The Red AutoPilot Button"!

On our 2019 C-28 it's at the lower left of the Garmin screen. I think that it says "Engage". During my orientation I had pushed it thinking that it was for the Radar. Nope, it engaged the AutoPilot. Which then remembered the course which also happened to be directly in the path of a huge double barge being pushed by an equally huge tug. My "Orientation Specialist-Carl of Edgewater" noted my continuing heading toward the barges despite me turning the wheel to the right. Kept heading back toward the barges.

So in his very nice, calm "Orientation Specialist" voice, he said "Bob, push the red button" as I was trying to get the boat to turn away from the getting huge'r barges. I suspect that he repeated the "Bob..." statement a couple times and finally he pushed the Red Button and disengaged the AutoPilot. All was now well.

The moral of this story, it's going to take you a while to learn the boat. Careful with pushing buttons that you "think" that you know what they are for. Ask first, that's that the coach is there for. Lots of notes.

Bob/Bradenton...

PS: The electronic Throttle control is very very sensitive. It's not like old manual cable controls. It's really easy to give it more Throttle, especially in Reverse, than you need. Rest your hand on the Control base and gently push or pull the Throttle lever instead of just yanking on it, free hand.

PPS: Practice, a lot, using the Bow and Stern Thrusters. Our C-28 Bow thruster has about twice the push power compared to the Stern Thruster. Just like a video game controller, it will take a while to get it coordinated in your head.

 

[Someday*]

Thanks all...good advice!
Yes Brian maybe we will see you at the marina!

On a "I may be neurotic" side note....when the boat was being delivered we were told it was delayed by snow out west so the driver had to stop as it was a "chain only" road...my concern: If the boat was in freezing conditions but wasn't "winterized" after they sea tested it before delivery...could there be a problem?

 

[S. Todd]

You are probably not any more neurotic than any concerned boat owner: The boat should have been winterized by the factory prior to shipping in the winter months. Our R29S was shipped in December of 2020 to Michigan. The delivery driver told us that based on the scale reading he had after going through snowy conditions, in addition to our boat, his trailer had 17,000 lbs of ice on it. The boat arrived safe and we had no issues from the cold transport.

 

[knotflying]

The electrical system is rather complex. Make sure you go over and review how each of the systems work and react among one another. You most likely have a generator, inverter, solar panel and a battery charger. Then there are charging relays. Learn how things work when the generator is on. How things work when on shore power. And how things work with inverter only. Learn the maximum amp draw on each of the above configurations. Without understanding, it won't take long to kill your batteries unintentionally. Your head will be spinning so take detailed notes for later reference.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Regarding electronics - try to understand what works when solely on shore power (basically everything without draining batteries), what works when solely on your generator (basically everything without draining your batteries), what works w/o draining batteries when on engine power and finally what works (battery drain) when on the inverter (no generator, shore or engine power). And for sure understand the difference between AC and DC powered items. After you get an understanding of these things, use the boat and you will learn something every time you do. Congratulations!

 

[Someday*]

Thank you all!

 

[srhawk454]

Looking back at my own experience with factory delivery:
1. Get everything on video. Everything. You will need it the next day after the training 🙂
2. Focus on fundamentals of boat maneuverings esp. in close quarters. Ask how to approach a slip, pivot the boat, and capture it on video so you can review and understand the dynamics later
3. Do more of hands-on boat piloting, you can learn the systems later. Get comfortable at least with docking and departing.
We took advise from RT Delivery Captain Tim Bates to the heart - "learn how to pivot the boat". Single screw is intimidating but with practice you will enjoy this piece of engineering marvel! We indeed love ours, but it took a while to learn its character 🙂
Lastly, this forum is invaluable for learning. Factory also published a series of "As the prop turns" videos which are my favorites to watch and learn.
Congrats with the awesome boat!

 

[Someday*]

Looking back at my own experience with factory delivery:
1. Get everything on video. Everything. You will need it the next day after the training 🙂
2. Focus on fundamentals of boat maneuverings esp. in close quarters. Ask how to approach a slip, pivot the boat, and capture it on video so you can review and understand the dynamics later
3. Do more of hands-on boat piloting, you can learn the systems later. Get comfortable at least with docking and departing.
We took advise from RT Delivery Captain Tim Bates to the heart - "learn how to pivot the boat". Single screw is intimidating but with practice you will enjoy this piece of engineering marvel! We indeed love ours, but it took a while to learn its character 🙂
Lastly, this forum is invaluable for learning. Factory also published a series of "As the prop turns" videos which are my favorites to watch and learn.
Congrats with the awesome boat!

The boat maneuvering I'd say is my biggest concern right now. I know it will come with experience, I just need to get that experience. Thank you.

 

[BB marine]

The boat maneuvering I'd say is my biggest concern right now. I know it will come with experience, I just need to get that experience. Thank you.

I believe you will find the boat handling will be easy! My opinion the single screw handling of a Cutwater or Ranger Tug is excellent. The boat will turn in its own length without using the thrusters. Take advantage of the stern walk when in reverse then add the advantage of the thrusters and you will find you will be able to put the boat into the tightest conditions. The first time I piloted my C26 and stern into a slip my first thought was, "it is like having training wheels the first time riding a bike". You will be impressed as to how well it handles.

I was at Sweetwater yesterday. I Assume that awesome looking Grey hull R29 CB on the work stand is your boat. If so, very Nice ! If it isn't your boat, someone has nice a nice looking Ranger. I like that color.

 

[Someday*]

The boat maneuvering I'd say is my biggest concern right now. I know it will come with experience, I just need to get that experience. Thank you.

I believe you will find the boat handling will be easy! My opinion the single screw handling of a Cutwater or Ranger Tug is excellent. The boat will turn in its own length without using the thrusters. Take advantage of the stern walk when in reverse then add the advantage of the thrusters and you will find you will be able to put the boat into the tightest conditions. The first time I piloted my C26 and stern into a slip my first thought was, "it is like having training wheels the first time riding a bike". You will be impressed as to how well it handles.

I was at Sweetwater yesterday. I Assume that awesome looking Grey hull R29 CB on the work stand is your boat. If so, very Nice ! If it isn't your boat, someone has nice a nice looking Ranger. I like that color.

Yes Brian that is ours and thank you!
We swore we’d never get a new boat again after dealing with the inevitable “1st scratch” trauma but obviously we didn’t follow our own rules.
On a test drive of another r29 Austin was spinning it around in tight quarters at the marina which I found encouraging…I am excited to learn the boat and use it. At the least I can provide folks with some “comic relief” as I do. :lol:

 

[knotflying]

The boat maneuvering I'd say is my biggest concern right now. I know it will come with experience, I just need to get that experience. Thank you.

Rule of thumb when manuvering: Only go as fast as you are willing to hit the dock or another boat.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

dont be shy to record video or audio. there is a lot of amazing info and you even with great notes you will miss some stuff.

 

[Chimo]

I believe you will find the boat handling will be easy! My opinion the single screw handling of a Cutwater or Ranger Tug is excellent. The boat will turn in its own length without using the thrusters. Take advantage of the stern walk when in reverse then add the advantage of the thrusters and you will find you will be able to put the boat into the tightest conditions.

Of course if you happen to be backing out of a slip or, in my case, a boathouse and need the stern to turn immediately to starboard then that stern walk is a real PIA. 🙂

 

[Alpina]

The electrical system is rather complex. Make sure you go over and review how each of the systems work and react among one another. You most likely have a generator, inverter, solar panel and a battery charger. Then there are charging relays. Learn how things work when the generator is on. How things work when on shore power. And how things work with inverter only. Learn the maximum amp draw on each of the above configurations. Without understanding, it won't take long to kill your batteries unintentionally. Your head will be spinning so take detailed notes for later reference.

If you only take one piece advise in this thread. Take this one. Maybe video some parts. Easier than taking notes.


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