We bought a New Ranger Boat from a dealer in Ft Worth Texas at the end of last summer. Through the winter we did not take the boat out and use it much. This spring as we started using the boat regularly we noticed dozens of manufacturing problems. Hatches not closing properly (misaligned), hinges being loose and the screws backing out due to vibration (assumed, cause unknown), slight leaks around all the thru hull fittings, battery bases and oil reservoirs loose and bouncing around, dash panel loose. We have taken it back several times and all the loose items tightened, each time the tells us it is a maintenance issue and that we are suppose to re tighten every screw after each trip! Outrageous.
We finally took the boat and had a man that does Coast Guard approved Surveys on large boats to give us an honest writ up as to the problems, causes, and resolutions.
First thing he notice was the top half of the boat was not properly secured to the lower half (cap to hull?) that the two were out of align by as much as an inch.By placinga lazer on the bottomn and shooting a beam up the keel about 2/3 of the way up the keel angels off to the left. The keel is crooked!
Further inspection shows it is not damaged that it was formed that way, how it could be done that way in a mold is beyond me. The surveyor speculated that it was removed too early before it was cured completely and must have been slightly twisted as it finally cured.
OK understandable mistake. It happens I guess, we were informed that Ranger sales were so slow and down so bad that 80% of the work force had been laid off. I suspect the remaining few either know the jobs is in jeopardy and don't care are were so overworked the rushed it. Still OK and understandable.
Now the surveyor informed us he was required to report the boat as unsafe. Didn't matter much we were returning it the next day. We took the boat back to the dealer spoke to the head of service and the owner, showed them the reports. We were immediately informed that due to a bankruptcy the boat was not going to be repaired (unlikely anyway) or replaced. The dealer also refused to let us take the boat back due to the report that it was unsafe. THEY KEEP THE BOAT AND ORDERED US TO LEAVE.
We had to file a theft report with the police, but were informed not much could be done.
We called Ranger Boats and were refused any help, actually refused even a conversation. After repeated calls spoke to Randy hopper CEO/president, and were told to go to hell. His secretary informed us that if we called again they would report us to the local police and have them issue a warrant out of Arkansas for harassment. Outrageous! The fact that she knew all the relevant ways to do that so quickly means they use that tactic a lot! Have the small town police there act as there Mafia Muscle. Crooks all of them! Liars and Con artist!
A call to Genmar resulted in a spew of profanity from a Mr. Jacobs about he had more important things to worry about. MORE IMPORTANT! We are out $52,000.00 for a boat we don't even have anymore and he has something more important to do! WHAT AN ASS.
Do not buy a Ranger Bass Boat, you will regret doing any form of business with them!
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