Ranger 373V upgrades...flipping deck, carpet..etc..

Here is where I'm at now...building a flipping deck and removing carpet. I have been back and forth with what to do SOO many times its not funny...the boat is a bassmaster classic and was as close to orginal and in great shape as you can about get with an actual used boat. The gauges are all still originally ziptied and such...lol. Well here we go...I started taking pics a bit late in the game...sorry...

This is the seat base I took out...never have liked them much.
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Pic of rear of boat
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Modified by Scrapper at 12:38 PM 7/23/2008


Modified by Scrapper at 4:03 PM 8/18/2008

Dang shutterfly is being a pain today!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/devil.gif

Here is the deck on the floor..still had more to add to the frame and need to round the corners some

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Modified by Scrapper at 4:06 PM 8/18/2008

Both deck frame and rod box test fit just before coating with resin

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Modified by Scrapper at 4:08 PM 8/18/2008

Deck and lid frames in boat this morning for test fit...fits well...will put one more coat of resin on today and start on lids.....also have to smooth edges on fiberglass over seatbase.


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Modified by Scrapper at 4:12 PM 8/18/2008

looks great!...not for sure if im gonna build my front deck that heavy or not, but yours should def. last!! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif as for the whole for the extra seat in the middle of the boat, i'll prolly just had some type of cap over top of it, try and find something at lowes. or somewhere.. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

it is a bit heavy...my buddy was picking at me about it...so much for 60mph huh? lol you can carry it around fairly easily though. Its not as heavy as it looks...just 2X4 studs cut down to 2 11/16" if memory is right...lol. I'm bad about over doing stuff like that...I just built a storage shed and put ALOT of studs in it..lol. Its on 16" centers. Built better than my house...lol.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Scrapper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it is a bit heavy...my buddy was picking at me about it...so much for 60mph huh? lol you can carry it around fairly easily though. Its not as heavy as it looks...just 2X4 studs cut down to 2 11/16" if memory is right...lol. I'm bad about over doing stuff like that...I just built a storage shed and put ALOT of studs in it..lol. Its on 16" centers. Built better than my house...lol. </TD></TR></TABLE>
http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif if we were worried about speed, we wouldn't own rangers.....anyhow, check arjones01 restore on his 1981 boat. he put rubber mats down to keep from mildewing and cover the wood with a black type sealant....he'll come along and might steer u in the right direction..

yeah I studied his quite closely...and others...I'm going to do the black mat I figure...and I'm going to paint everything black. I'm anxious to get it all done...I wanna fish..lol. Mine is going to be easily removed so I may stick with the full carpet and keep it dry...mine is always covered and in a shed...just have to watch the rain...lol http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eek.gif

it should be that bad...ive seen and fished out of it, with the thick carpet, it shouldn't leak all that bad.....plan on having my done by aug. 7th. taking it to aaron's garage tomorrow to store it with is....first thing first new dash panel, front panel, and buffing http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

hey man it looks great!!! ....i'll be right behind ya.. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Got the lids fiberglassed and the frame resined...almost done with it...need carpet and hinges...gotta get the rest of the carpet out! Really starting to come around. Deck feels really good under my feet...best part is its easily removable and the added deck where the cushion and livewell are stay in place. Can't wait to get the carpet in!!

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You notice the large gaps in between the lids...you should leave 1/4" for each piece of carpet and hinge in each place when building this. So, a hinged spot needs 3/4" along with the 1/2" around the surrounding areas. This gives a nice snug fit but not so tight that will hurt the carpet in the future...it CAN be to tight. It will eventually rub spots in your carpet. If you want an example put all your lids without carpet back on the back deck of your Ranger...look at the gap they put in from the factory...quite large.

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Picture of back of one of the lids...they are all painted flat black on the back side and have 1-3 small strips for bracing on the back. Each lid also got 4 layers of mat...starting with a small peice and moving up from there to the last piece that is the full size. This puts a VERY slight crown to each of them...the naked eye can barely see it but will give the center of each lid more rigidity and will help to keep moisture from collecting in the middle.

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Everything seems to have come out very level and even across the boat...I'm anxious to see it with carpet. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

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Seems like this would be very heavy but its not...the livewell lid actually weighs less than the original and the lid over the rod box is just a bit heavier than the cushion...I would estimate the frame at around 60 pounds without the lids...all in all its probably close to 80 pounds and VERY stought! The 7/16 OSB really absorbs the resin...I used 2 gallons of poly resin and 34sq ft of mat. Not putting cloth over the top will help the glue to have more areas to seep into and grab. I did have to sand a few spots on top of each lid as you can see in the pics...wish the pics were better and larger but for some reason they won't show up on shutterfly and I can only use the "enhance" mode to see them. What do you guys think??
Now to get the rest of the carpet out...man this is going to be a long night..lol.


Modified by Scrapper at 4:18 PM 8/18/2008


Modified by Scrapper at 10:29 AM 8/19/2008

did you check into putting that 3m rhino liner type stuff under the deck lids for support and protection? looks great too!! http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

ive always heard bad things about that compressed plywood that your using...hope it works for ya... http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif can't wait to see it finished..we're right behind ya, should finish it next week..

AHH man..I've used that stuff for alot of things and didn't even think about that..lol. Oh well..maybe next time. Taking notes..lol. They are all covered in resin then painted...wish the light was better...the pics really don't do it justice...always take them after dark in the darkest part of the shop..lol http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif

I hope it works for a while...I saw someone else use it on here in a ranger and thats where I got the idea...the glues in the newer OSB's are really good...I've seen them lay outside and out last plywood...and most homes are decked and sided with it now instead of plywood...hopefull the resin really soaked in...lol.

nice work! I was wondering about you not using plywood but after seeing the great job you did with the glass I am impressed. super job so far. grey carpet?

It looks great, but make sure you get that OSB board sealed good with resin. That stuff is a pain to get all the nooks and crannys filled. Make sure you get the edges sealed good as well.

Yeah I have checked and rechecked over and over...and then painted also...I would've used plywood...don't get me wrong...but this was left over decking I was going to use on my shop...and it was the thickness I wanted. After having some up here in the agri building sitting outside I have been REALLY impressed with the newer glues...it just lasts and lasts and lasts...and doesn't swell. I also put the rough side up which allows it to soak more resin in...trust me it has the resin on it..lol. I will get some close ups of the lids before carpet. I'm going to be redoing carbs and fuel pump on my buddies blackmax so I guess he'll me doing my carpet while I'm doing that...I was hoping to get my hands into the carpet....although he has done it for 30 years and will do a WAY better job than I would. I'm going to do a thread of him doing it step by step. His son...one of my best friends is an AWSOME photographer...actually won a competition on stovebolt.com of old trucks found the woods. I'm going to get him to take pictures. He'll be bring the pot and spray gun home from alumacraft so he'll me doing it all and cutting the corners and such just like they do..and using the same tools as they do at the alumacraft plant...so I'm axious to get that thread put together...the hardest part of carpet I would figure is knowing how and where to cut to make it all come together...so I'm hoping to get a good thread together with him. Be looking for that the latter part of next weekend.

Yes it will be a dark gray carpet...not a fan of the blue...that and the gray is free..lol. I walked around on the deck last night...no flex...no pops...no cracking...no noise...thats what I wanted...and it is completly selfcontained...and in no way attached to the boat...no holes...no bolts...it just sets in there so if I ever sell the boat...there will not be holes drilled in it...and the livewell lid and rod box will be factory looking and fit.

If you'll notice the gaps in between the lids you will see its pretty large...1/2" to be exact. He told me you need 1/4" per carpeted side for a nice slightly snug fit. Any closer and you'll take a chance on pull carpet and or having trouble lifting...anymore and the lids would bounce.

I'm going to use gray seat strap material to make loops to lift the lids...didn't want to use latches as I take all my valubles out anyways...and just wanted a clean look. The storage isn't sealed anyways. One thing that is nice about the way I did the rod box lid is its exactly like the cushion...it is still dry storage...so I'm happy about that.

I got all the carpet off the boat itself last night and will finish up the lids tonight and head to the carwash for a good cleaning...I also have to put the back over the frame between the consoles...it will house two marine speakers and an led when I get my bluewaters ordered.

Probably not what most will like but the seats are getting changed. I'm getting two new lids bent and will have the casting deck Ranger seats attached to them. In the middle of the two seats will be a carpet covered piece of aluminum that will act as a brace to strengthen the step in the middle.

I'll get a few more pics tonight...or in the morning with decent light.

Thanks for the compliments...makes you feel good about the work your doing.

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sounds good..im putting latches on all of mine, the only one that wont have a latch is the original back livewell, which i am putting just a regular black nylon strap. http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

MAN!!...I let this thing go to long! I've already been fishing..lol.

Here is where I'm at now...still have to put in the new dash...redo the glove compartment lid...install the stereo...and wetsand the fenders...but I'm getting there.

We had the county fair all last week and getting ready for school before that...so I haven't been able to post pics.

These are where i'm at now...my buddy still has alot of pics from the buildup and carpet laying. He'll post those later.

Before (when I picked the boat up from the original owner...in NEW JERSEY!!) Brought her back home to Arkansas. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

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after


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custom aluminum lids with cup holders

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this is where I am now..shutterfly deleted my other pics so I'll have to reload the images of the deck extension...I sure LOVE the new room though. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif Notice too I got rid of the white spokes today...got some aluminums...man they look sharp...really makes the boat look more modern.

I also took the boat out a week ago and actually gained 2mph with more stuff and more fuel than I did any other time I've been out...56.2 gps...25"shooter that is NOT in very good shape...lol...about 5500 rpm. I have a really nice 24" raker on its way...I've heard good things about them and its in great shape. I got if for a steal. So I'm eventually going to send it to mark for pvs holes...down one pitch...maybe I bit of cup...and a polish job. man!! now I just need fall to be here..lol. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/roll.gif


Modified by Scrapper at 4:22 PM 8/18/2008


Modified by Scrapper at 7:50 AM 8/20/2008

Looks like a totally different boat. Nice work man! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

boat and trailer look awesome scott....great job...Im starting mine this weekend..cant wait to get it done http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Sweet job!!

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great job looks great http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

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that front deck looks great! I wish I had the nerve to do the same with my boat...

I need to take pictures of it out of the boat. The extension is selfcontained and just slips out of the boat...well its actually a good pull. The lid I made for the rod box and livewell stays in the boat. Makes it handy for spring cleaning also.

Thanks alot guys...its alot of work but MAN...its so nice having that extra room to walk around on. Got the stereo in last night...mounted under the passenger side console. Will get everything tied up tonight.

i know who to call when it's time for carpet on my boat sweeeeeet job http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

That really does look great. After you carpeted did you think you had your gaps figured right to allow for thickness of carpet? Did you use 16, 20, or 24oz carpet?
Nice job once again http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif

WOW!!! Very nice, that just solidified my choice of the grey carpet. Great looking rig.http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

That's what my boat is supposed to look like? I've got the identical model, but it's badly faded and oxidized.

How much money would it take. If you built me some some custom seats for my 373. !!That's sharp!! $$$$ http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif $$$$

I can see...they really are nice. My buddies dad built them for me. I can come up with a price if you are serious about it. The only trick is getting the holes drilled just right. We are working on building one that actually goes with the contour of the front of the rear deck....if you'll look at mine the back of the armrest/cupholder is straight...after building he wanted to go back and make it the same angle of the front of the rear deck. He can do whatever you want though. Make the armrest higher or lower...I like it where it is because whoever is with you pushes up on it instead of grabbing my windshield to pull themselves up. Anyways...shoot me an IM on what you want and I'll find out. You will have to drill mounting holes for your hinge and holes for whatever seat you want...and carpet it. Just let me know....may take a bit to get it together but he did mention building some if folks were interested. Thanks for the compliments!...he'll be proud! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

Also if you'll notice in between the two seats is a carpeted area...that is a piece of aluminum that we carpeted and screwed to the fiberglass in between the seats...when you step right there you can see some flex and it gets slick for folks coming off the rear deck. really strengthens it...if you do the lids like he did and wanted the step there instead of the middle seat let me know and I'll find out about that piece.

I-m sent let me know http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/popcorn.gif . http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif