I believe that you need to be more transparent with people who see this video. I recall the issue you raised on Tugnuts last year, it was really messy. As I recall you bought this boat used and did not have a survey which would have uncovered the issues before you purchased as opposed to afterwards. The issues you raised rightfully belonged with the seller and dealer, both of whom appeared to mislead you. Trashing RT is not the answer and selectively telling the story is ….. I think you need to tell people the whole story… which is not present in this video
@@chrisfs150 I should have , I was too trusting in the dealership . I had met the dealership owners and sales manager many times . I thought they would take care of me .
I am not familiar with this particular boat. But I just ordered one. I can tell you that the very finest bass boat called a ranger bass boat. Nothing to do with Ranger Tugs. Has a hull thickness of a quarter of an inch. Same as this tug. The bass boat is 20to22 feet long and travels at over 70 miles an hour. I have fished out of many of them and have hit floating objects at in speeds and waves as well. My nitro and triton bass boats have a little less hull thickness. I hit a dead head at 76 mph during a tournament. No damage. But if I was to drop that hull on something hard that would be a different story. Don’t underestimate the strength of fiberglass. I have been in the marine industry for over 30 years. And if there was a serious issue with these boats you would’ve heard more than a couple of isolated issues. Michael Bertelsen
As an engineer I can say that not much can be determined from core thickness alone. I have done work for Fountain Boats, Hatteras, Grady-White and others, and 1/4" hull thickness would not be unusual on a boat of this size or even larger at various points on the hull. It depends on the structural stress at any given point and how that stress is spread across the overall structure. It's all a question of engineering for an intended use and price point. This isn't an ice breaker, nor is it an inexpensive lake boat. Where the Ranger falls in the overall scheme of things as to suitability for its intended purpose and the conditions it might encounter, and the relative quality compared to its competition, is largely in the eye of the beholder. But with that said, a boat of this size should be extremely rigid and show essentially no(zero) deflection on any axis when sitting on any type of cradle when on land, even if that "cradle" were a single point load on the keel or either corner of the transom. However, its not reasonable to expect that the entire weight of the boat could be supported by any two, or four(etc), small and randomly selected points on the hull without experiencing damage that might include an actual hull penetration.
on Starboard side , close to the keel , thickness was almost twice as thick as port side from the keel . 5 '' or 6 '' away . They overlapped one side but not the other . Of course it was the port side that cracked .
The fibreglass seems rather thin in such a critical part of the hull. You have documented your experience very well and now I feel disenchanted with the ranger tug brand. I am now considering looking at alternative options like an aluminium hull cruisers. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Well if I had one it have to be carbon fiber or kevlar type material I've seen fiberglass bath tubs break just standing on them just no reinforcement even Corvette knew to use plywood backing for it's fiber glass back in 60 it just doesn't seem like it has any structural self worth by itself maybe reason bath tub people starting using plywood on base of their hulls
@@lynngatlin4469 People have been making boats out of fiberglass like this for decades and decades. Westport makes 50 meter superyachts out of fiberglass. And you might be surprised… but they do it WITHOUT a plywood backing! Shocking, I know.
I had a brand new R27, a 225k boat. When put on a work rack for maintenance, it would torque and distort so much the aft door and window could not be closed. This explains a lot. Sold it and bought a used Camano Troll which is far superior.
BOAT UPDATE - Lemon Aid was repaired in the fall ( at my cost ... ) and the repair was given a clean bill of health by the surveyor . The boat has been sold and I am actively looking for a Downeast boat or Trawler that is more substantial . I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! My RU-vid Channel , Website and all other social media should be a cautionary tail to everyone looking to purchase a boat .
Ranger Tugs up to 31' in lenght are marketed as trailering with a heavy duty pickup truck, I think. These boats are likley designed to be fairly light weight.
These Tugs are gorgeous. Likewise so is your documentation of issues great and thoough. I am very close to buying a boat like the R27 but due to your work and more actually about the way the company has handled you (poorly to say the least). I cannot imagine throwing down 200k of hard earned money and then having these problems arise unresolved. Will look at Carver or Merry Fisher, Arvor, Axopar, Quicksilver Poland.
These pristine condo'esque planing trawlers dodging deadheads in the PNW, designed to appeal to women, remind me of uber expensive flashy hi tech pickup trucks always being recalled. A 1950s pic of 3 friends chugging up Princess Louisa Inlet in a small wooden trawler with not a women in sight.. they look totally relaxed. Boat designer LF Herreshoff said GRP boats will put the wrong people on the water.. planing plastic trawlers would have blown his mind. lol 😆
Modern fiberglass is much better then it used to be. it is now thinner and stronger and doesn't need a wooden core like balsa anymore from my understanding.
@@rangertruth4776 I have 2018 Ranger Tug I have it in the water 24/7 now engine set to low now my engine bracket need replace the bottom half of my engine need replace can’t get parts for maybe 2 years so I have a floating barge I’m so sorry I bought the boat the salt water ate my engine the bottom of engine is always contact with the salt water there no anode to protect the gear case of the engine $150,000 boat I can’t use
the Nordic Tug 26 is over 8 ' 6'' beam ? maybe too tall with fixed radar etc ? I will have to look them up . Wondering if you could trailer without permits ?
Save your money I have a 23 Ranger Tug the engine is mounted to low my engine bracket is Corroded my lower half of my engine is Corroded I need a lower half or a new engine can’t get parts not available maybe 2 years it’s a 2018 boat with 125 hours on the engine no parts available from Yamaha
You could say that , I guess . Still 6.3 mm is not normal or 5/16 '' ( - less than 1/4 '' ) and most manufacturers overlap the center keel area to double the thickness where it counts , the center keel area .
Yes , I agree . Normal procedure , I am told by boat builders , is to overlap left and right side fiberglass of the keel center line . This gives the keel a double thickness for grounding or striking an object . I don't believe , in my opinion , on the Ranger Tug .
The big question is “how could you miss this”? Free lunch? Too good to be true? Born yesterday? Mother wasn’t there to help you? I appreciate and agree with your ethical/moral concerns about the dealer. You do very little to focus on their name so we can avoid them. You’ve said nothing credible about Ranger Tugs and should not put them in a bad light because your feelings are hurt. How are its competitors built and why? To get a boat built as you now prefer what is the increase in cost? The law generally provides no remedy to buyers of used items for problems they could have discovered in a diligent (expensive) investigation. This is because the investigation is far cheaper and faster than re-negotiating your decision after the purchase in a courtroom…. Where your neighbor taxpayers pay the cost to have the courtroom waiting for you. This is makes complete sense. Americans born after 1950 think you can take your snow tires back to Nordstrom’s drive up window after a year of wear. They are the first in human history to think that way. Grow up and face the consequences of your decision to stay ignorant.
Ranger shouldn't put boats out with a thin hull. They pulled some cheap shit and somebody found it and is exposing them. Good for this guy. You must have a Ranger tug and trying to figure out how you overpaid for a pile of shit.
After watching this concerns me ive only had aluminum an steel boats never had a plastic boat so it makes me wonder what difference does it make how think it is it's plastic an you hit something with it will break. I just can't find any of these boats reliable. Now if you go to some of the other products that is far greater strength i could see it. You can even use them for structural strength but these fiber glass boats are way overrated in my opinion an for price i believe most people are just that gullible
there are some good quality fiberglass boats out there . The problem is some have thin hulls that are not of high quality . Cheap materials , inexperienced labor and old school techniques . There is nothing wrong with old school if it's good quality , thick ( not 1/4 '' ) fiberglass . To have strong , thin fiberglass you need quality materials , Resin infusion / vacuum bagging . Steel is good for displacement hulls ( but has issues in salt water ) , Aluminum is good but can have electrolysis issues and sometimes weld crack issues .
@@rangertruth4776 Thank you for ending the story for me, I hope your next purchase works out better. It's just B.S. what happened to you with everyone passing the buck, I expected more from everyone including the broker, the transporter and Ranger Tugs.
Hey Kevin , I watched your channel . I expected to learn from you about Fiberglass repair , Vacuum bagging , resin infusion , lamination schedules etc . Take a look at boatdesign.net . All i saw on yours was everyday driving , not exactly defensive driving to avoid an '' accident ''
Ok two piece of 50"" Roving,and two pieces 60"" roving on top of those. All with layer of chop between each layer. This is overlap about 1 foot all the way down the center .Yes We are talking Eight layers of roving chopped Six times. # bullet proof, perhaps not stupid proof. Also take into consideration each boat is hand crafted by Humans who are not imperfect always. Lamination process is,and always be a very difficult job with many varying problematic situations, temperatures. Rest assured 99% of these boats are worthy of any boat enthusiasts.
Do you work for Fluid Motion ( Ranger - Cutwater ) ? Are you quoting their " Top Secret " Lamination schedule for the hull ? If the hull is overlapped in the center ( 1 ft , 6 '' each side ) , why is the starboard side , twice as thick as the port side that cracked ?
I have a 2018 Ranger Tug bought new the outboard bracket and engine is mounted to low my engine bracket is Corroded need replace my engine lower half is corroded and need replace it’s a Yamaha 200 HP nobody has parts not even Japan I wrote to the Ranger factory explaining the problem and I get no answer now I’m stuck with a $11,000 bill coming up and a year waiting list so I have a boat in the water I can’t use shame on RANGER TUG It’s a Ranger Tug 23
Anybody want to buy my 23ft ranger it’s all repair I’m 75 years old and I’m just about done with boating take over payments and the boat is yours I have no trailer
