1972 Ranger

[Frankenstein]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum, just picked up a 1972 Ranger Bass Boat with a 1973 Evinrude 115 for a song and a dance. It's needs a small amount of work to make it functional for use on the lake, and a moderate amount of work to call it restored.

This is my first boat, so obviously my first boat project, other than canoes. I do however work in mgmt at a boat manufacturer and have been at aluminum and fiberglass plants, from small jons to large yachts. I also restore motorcycles, cars, ATV's, etc. and even some non-vehicle machinery. I've worked with fiberglass in the past, though under the direction of an engineer friend from work. Basically, I have the skills to do the work, great access to materials, but not a whole lot of experience. Yet.

I've never fully documented any project before. I hope this forum can keep me on task and I defintely will need advice, both in the restoration process and boating in general. I'll post pics and details over the weekend when I have some daylight to work with.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: 1972 Ranger

Welcome to the forum, Franky! I should mention, pix are a must..... Let's get a look at her before you start diggin' in............

 

[gm280]

Re: 1972 Ranger

First of all Welcome aboard. :welcome:

If you haven't already read and viewed a few boat projects on this boat forum, do so which would be a great place to start before actually starting your project. And also post a lot of pictures of your boat/motor before you start so others can understand what you have and what you want to accomplish during your rebuild project. There are many very experienced folks on these forums that will guide you through most any type problem you encounter while doing your rebuild. With such professional folks and extremely knowledgeable ideas, you can?t help but enjoy the process and have a very nice finished project that you will be proud of and last many many years to come. Again welcome aboard...

 

[Frankenstein]

Re: 1972 Ranger

For your viewing pleasure. She isn't much to look at, but for the most part its cosmetic.

All the fiberglass looked, felt, and sounded great when I tapped around the hull trying to find dead spots which I was worried about prior to going to look at the boat. It had been ran all last year. Came with an older MinnKota and a Humminbird Wide Portrait.

The most work I see is the trim/tilt. The wires are cut and the PO said it didn't work when he got it from his boss, that's the big reason he is selling. I plan on replacing seals/o-rings and replacing the motor if it fails a bench test. I've found seals for the pistons, the pump is proving more difficult.

The carbs were cleaned over the winter, but not rebuilt. They need balanced and tuned, and I'm heavily considering rebuilding if I can find kits. I'm a little wary about what the tank looks like before I do that work.

Livewell doesn't work according to the PO. I'll run through all wiring and the bilge pump as well.

Trailer has all new LED lighting but a poor wiring job. Boards could use new carpet.

I'll also replace carpet, fill any old drill holes with epoxy resin, replace seats, possibly replace gauges and steering wheel, and buff the original paint.

 

[Frankenstein]

Re: 1972 Ranger

Question time. I'm removing the tilt / trim assembly. The housing is mounted to each of the 4 transom bolts. The port side came off fine, the upper starboard side was easy, but the lower starboard side (#2 in the pic) is giving me fits. The nut won't break free of the bolt, the bolt will turn with much resistance.

The upper bolts have a hex head on the other side I can put a wrench on, but I don't see one on the lower bolts. Inside the hatch (where the battery is in the second pic, someone correct me on terminology please) there are two square plates with a cylinder protruding out with an access cover screwed over it (protecting what?) that roughly line up with the lower bolts but I did not measure so I could be wrong.

My question is, should I attempt to remove those square plates to find a hex head to hold on to, or put an impact on the stuck nut? I don't want to strip anything out.

It was too dark to get a decent picture of the square plates inside of the transom, I will get one this weekend and edit this post, regardless if my description was "good enough" so others can follow behind.

 

[Frankenstein]

Re: 1972 Ranger

I guess I should start wearing my glasses when its getting dark out and I'm looking inside of hatches. My "square plate with a cylinder in the middle" was in fact the transom bolt. :facepalm: Anyways I got the assembly off, started disassembling, and realized whoops the motor is missing (goes on top of the reservoir apparently). Time to buy a motor/reservoir assembly as well as try to figure out how to disassemble the rams to replace the o-rings.

 

[Letsg0fishing]

Re: 1972 Ranger

I just brought my 1975 Ranger 150a home, it has some serious needs... keep posting, I need the information and encouragement! I'm about to start a thread and post some pictures. I am happy to see someone else bringing a classic Ranger back to life!

 

[BlueBurbon]

9 years later... now I own this boat lol. I will post some pics on this tread just for fun and to see were it goes. It's gonna be on the water this weekend. The motor runs amazing, after major tune up. 120-118 compression . Transom dose have a soft spot but I'm putting the 50 on it and gonna put it in the barn. I bought it just for the motor but that "73" 115hp motor is 76 "85 hp power head" on a 73 mid section with a 115 cowl...lol. all in all seems to be a good boat just a day tripper.