Ranger 354V facelift

[KDAVID1]

Well I started today on the facelift--new carpet, seats, etc. Got all the lids off, took every thing off of the boat--rails, TM, fish finders, hot foot, floor grates, etc. This boat is 20yrs old and no issues with the floor at all except on the very front deck--a couple of soft spots (I will be asking some questions on that) and a crack in the floor where the rod box attaches to the floor (not sure if this is an issue or not--maybe someone can chime in) The carpet came up so easy--I'm surprised it never blew out at speed. One thing that is worrying me is the rear seat it VERY stuck--I have used everything I could think of to get it to move and it will not budge.
So first question is about the crack pictured below--the floor is solid but the crack (on the side closest to the rod box) will move if forced--is this an issue? I look forward to comments and suggestions along the way on this journey--thanks in advance.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Here are some of the before pics

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Ok--so I have all of the carpet out and decided to buff the boat. I didn't use the best stuff but holly cow what a difference. The one question I have is that it do a good job on the color (with flake) but the bottom portion which is grey just soaked it up and turned white almost immediately? I suppose I would have to use a stronger compound? The pics are the before--got too late to get any after pics. Any thoughts

 

[oops!]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

hi bud......finished dinner.....lol

i really dont like the crack. i cannot figgure out why its there.....ill have to think about it for a bit.....but i dont like it....plywood does not crack like that without other forces working on it. are you noticing any weird things with the hull?....like sagging any where or perhaps a side gunwhale that is kinda caved in?

i would cut out that area and see what is below.
after the basic cuts....you can pry up the rod box and slip new wood underneath it. (i take it you dont want to pull the cap)

as far as the gellcoat....i would keep buffing.....if you don't like the results....a wet sand at 1000 will get you to be where you want....but don't go too aggressive on the grit, or you will burn thru the clear gellcoat.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

hi bud......finished dinner.....lol

i really dont like the crack. i cannot figgure out why its there.....ill have to think about it for a bit.....but i dont like it....plywood does not crack like that without other forces working on it. are you noticing any weird things with the hull?....like sagging any where or perhaps a side gunwhale that is kinda caved in?

i would cut out that area and see what is below.
after the basic cuts....you can pry up the rod box and slip new wood underneath it. (i take it you dont want to pull the cap)

as far as the gellcoat....i would keep buffing.....if you don't like the results....a wet sand at 1000 will get you to be where you want....but don't go too aggressive on the grit, or you will burn thru the clear gellcoat.

Thank you sir--well the gunwhale is good (I took some measurements just to be for sure) and the hull is fine as well--nothing weird at all except for the crack. You are correct in that I don't want to pull the cap. I looked at it a bit more and could it be an overlay (where they put the rod box in and kinda laminated it in place?) I'll do a bit more looking. When I cut out where should I cut and what would be the best tool to use? On the buffing--I'm going to have to buff somemore. I took a look at it just a few minutes ago ( in the dark with a headlamp) and it is pretty bad. Thanks for your help on my first project. Your the man

 

[oops!]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

you can cut the deck out with just about anything from a grinder to a skill saw...sawz all or the tip of a chain saw....
get it as close to under the rod box as you can....if there is any way to remove the rod box and get that wood underneath it out...that is all the better

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Cool deal thanks. This shouldn't be too hard of a repair should it?

 

[oops!]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

no not at all unless that crack is caused by a major thing like a bad stringer.

but we wont know that till you get the deck up in that area

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Gotcha--thanks.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

New seats in place

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Well oops--what I did on the crack was use a borescope to run into the crack and all around--seems the crack is nothing special--it is just where they laminated the edges of the box to the floor--under the crack is full floor (fiberglass and all) and the crack is on top--so I think all is well. I plan on sealing up the crack and moving on. Although this doesn't seem too normal to me it was done at the factory--carpet and all are all original. Have you ever heard anything like this?

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

A few more pics. Found out why my livewells didn't work--someone who owned the boat before me took the valves out--oh well--ordered some new ones. So far I've got the battery charger mounted, livewell plumbing yanked out, all the carpet cut, and 5 lids covered--and my buff job (will wet sand the whole boat now since the buff just didn't do the job)
my pics are too large to post just yet--have to convert to smaller size.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Here's some pics.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

And more after the buff job.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Lids covered--hinges not in place yet--got them sitting in the boat so i can move around a bit easier
Lids covered

 

[rockitsauce]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Looking really good! That is the same color carpet I am going with. Did you get that at Lowes? I cant believe how expensive those latches are, $40 a piece

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Looking really good! That is the same color carpet I am going with. Did you get that at Lowes? I cant believe how expensive those latches are, $40 a piece

Nah. I looked at a bunch of carpet at Lowes, Home depot, Marine carpet places, you name it. I ended up getting it at a local mom and pop. I got lucky and got my neighbor's price 6x21 was $128 and to my amazement it is 20oz marine carpet so it was a good deal. One thing for sure make sure to look at the carpet outside in sunlight before you buy it. I thought this carpet was a bit darker (kinda like my seats) but when I rolled it out it looked quite a bit lighter (but that is ok it still looks good and will be easier on the feet

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Looking really good! That is the same color carpet I am going with. Did you get that at Lowes? I cant believe how expensive those latches are, $40 a piece

Ahmen on the latches. Luckily mine are still good (although the plastic is a bit faded) but it will do.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Got my livewell parts yesterday from Flow Rite. It is going to work perfectly (will have pics a bit later)
Took my old pumps apart today (one wasn't working) and cleaned them. The one that wasn't working was shot (bad shaft bearings. I decided to buy two new one's since I am replacing the operation valves (someone took them out before I got the boat) and need to have the same setup on both sides (easier maintenance later) Got two new Tsunami 500gph pumps and they are going to work perfectly (was not sure if they would fit the brackets) Will be doing some soldering tomorrow (adding the connectors from the old pumps)

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Ranger 354V facelift

Livewells plumbed with new operating valves, hoses, and new pumps. The wife rushed me a bit this afternoon so I have to do some adjustment on the drain hose to the valve ( has a bit of a dip in it so when I am on recirc it surges (air) no big deal easy fix. I sure don't know how Ranger put valves in these before cause I uses up alot of space to put these in--but they work which is what I was looking for. Since I had to mount both basically stacked (you will see when I get the pics posted) i will have to modify my start battery tray probably (it's always something) Ready to get the rear done so I can close it all up. Can't wait for better-warmer weather so I can finish the carpet. Got some rain this weekend and had to take the carpet I had laying in the boat out. Will have some pics later hopefully (depends on how busy at work I am)