What can I do with this 363v?

[dough4200]

Here's some pics of a 362v I may be getting. Before I get it, I was wondering what, if anything can be done with these spots. The seat needs reupholstered and it needs carpet put in correctly. The guy used too thick carpet and you get a hernia trying to get em open. Other than all this, it's a nice boat

Looks good from afar.


These aren't super deep. Anything I can do?


The guy at the shop said this is from impact, said it's only cosmetic. Anything here?


Again, said this is from impact.


Top cap is faded, but I think with some wetsanding it should be ok?


Bottom is scraped like crazy. What do you do?


Looks like they sanded too deep, flake turning silver. Anything to do here?


He hit something. What do you do for this?


Is this repairable, or do I need a new one?



I know there's alot here, any help or advice is appreciated!


Modified by dough4200 at 7:52 PM 10/20/2009

[Trent_in_BG]

You can probably shave the carpet down on the lid's edges to get them to open more easily.

[J E R E M Y]

i have 2 of those props ill sell both for 100 or 75 each. i djont need them and they are both id great shape no dings or gashes

j

[fishfry]

The cracks and scratches are no big deal other then cosmetic. That big hole will have to be fixed, but you can repair that fairly inexpensively. I would be very careful checking the transom for damage or problems. The carpet can be trimmed to make closing the doors easier. Make sure you check out the trailer Having the motor checked out is a must and you better figure in the cost for the prop into the boat. Overall my impressions are that the boat has been very poorly taken care of and if you can come up with another 2 0r 3 thousand you should really continue to shop. You can find really nice, well taken care of older rangers for 6 to 7 thousand.

[fishfry]

[ER Medic]

Keeping looking and saving. If that's how he took care of the outside I would be scared to see how bad the rest of the boat.

[dough4200]

Well, I got the boat. I got him down to $2,500. I'm very happy with this, and I know from reading, that's all that matters. I had the compression tested, 5 cylinders at 100 and one at 105. That's good right? It does need new seals in the lower unit and a new gasket on the head (I believe all this can be done by my father). They said the motor was solid though. My main concern is the chunks outta the bottom. What do I need to do for these? The scratches underneath the bow is a eyesore too, what can I do for that?

Thanks for your help!


Modified by dough4200 at 9:54 AM 10/22/2009

[esoxfly]

Yeah, compression sounds good. Maybe a bit low, but good. I'm not sure what's normal for that motor, but very important is that they're all within 10% of each other. If you've got a resource for the seals and maintenance, that's cool.

As far as the glass, for the scratches, you may be able to buff or sand some of them out depending on how deep they are. You'd be surprised what you can get out.

For the hole, there's numerous glass/gel repair kits available at marine supply stores. Sometimes even Wal-Mart. It doesn't look huge, but it's hard to completely diagnose from looks. Should be repairable, but make sure it's structurally sound before you just "patch it up." He rode that boat hard and obviously hit something! If it was a small branch, you should be OK. If it was a huge rock, he may have damaged the glass and hull integrity.

The prop looks rough, but it is repairable as well. I'd have that shaft run-out checked if you've not already. That'd be a big concern on the lower unit.

Nothing wrong with a little project boat, and it looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Hopefully you come out ahead. One rule I've learned about boat work is that, if you think it'll cost $100, it'll cost $200.

[Jordi]

First step:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread/311487

Then check everyday the Miscellaneous forum looking for your parts, (seats, windshields etc...) is going to take time and a LOT of work but you can take back that boat in a very good shape, here is a lot of guys who can give you a very good advice, just take one problem at the time, don't try to attack several things, focus in one problem and go to the next one when you finish...is just my opinion....

[plbass]

I would find a fiberglass guy in your area and get a price to fix the complete bottom of the boat. You can shop around and get a good price. The topside you can do yourself at your leisure.

[Ranger364v]

Okay, cracks are no problem... they are caused from the glass underneath flexing and the gel coat not flexing this is a common occurance on older boats. The keel can be fixed via MarineTex epoxy and a keel shield, keel guard, or Hamby's... the keel sheild will cost apx $150. The hole... is it really a hole or just a place where the gel coat was impacted and chipped off? If it is just gel coat missing you can either use MarineTex or buy gel coat in the color you need and just patch. I suggest a new used prop. My boat has all the same problems with the addition of about thirty holes drilled in the bow under the TM and two metal plates sandwiching the bow.

Fix what you can and just fish out of it

[dough4200]

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. The "hole" is not really hole, it's just a place where the gelcoat has chipped off. From what I've read, I think MarineTex will fix it right up. Again, the guy at the boat shop didn't seem to think it was any big deal. Would I use MarineTex on the scrapes by the keel? It already has a keel guard, not sure exactly how the heck it got scraped this back. Looks to me like it just bounced up and down for awhile on a rock. Thanks again for all the input, keep it coming!

[Ranger364v]

You can use MarineTex on just about anything... However it is white so you make the call gel coat would look better but scratches are like battle scars I would definitely get that raw glass covered up though.

The beauty of these old boats is that you aren't draggin a mortgage payment to the lake. Just fish out of it. It will provide lots of good memories.

Beauty Contests are for models anyway.

[calfish1]

this boat shows alot of abuse. i would look for something in better shape. if you have to have it, get the motor checked out and prop shaft before you buy it. as for the damage the upper cap looks alot like he crashed it in the dock, so look inside the rod lockers and feel for damage from impacts.
the hull gel damage can be fixed by a glass guy i'm guessing for 1to 300 bucks.

[omcforever]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by calfish1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
the hull gel damage can be fixed by a glass guy i'm guessing for 1to 300 bucks. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Not fixed properly,,,,proper glass repair is time and labor intensive if done properly and that equals $$$$. The rub rail area showing the numerous cracks is not good. Ranger 300 series have very little support internally in that area and like he says,,been banged into the dock way too many times. Way too many impact cracks. That boat has way too many little "glass"issues and that adds up. If this is your first resto, good luck,,,may turn into a big and frustrating job. Just my opinion.(been doing it for a long time)

[dough4200]

I agree, the cracks by the rub rail are concerning. I had the glass guy at the boat shop look at everything structural before I bought it. He said the same thing as you guys, the old owner was prolly a drunk and crashed into the dock way too many times. The good news is, it's still structurally sound. It wont win a beauty contest, but it'll fish just fine. I only paid $2500 for it, so what can you expect. The motor checks out fine, it has a newer mg trolling motor, two newer depth finders with gps, onboard charger, zercom flasher. The trailer is in good shape and even has an electic jack. I think I did pretty good. It's my first glass boat, so the scars don't really bother me. I'm sure I'll put a few of my own while I'm learning the ropes. If it was perfect, I'd be a nervous wreck out there worrying about dinging it up. The only cosmetics I plan on doing is wetsanding, buffing and waxing. I did a small area, and it's gonna shine up pretty good I think. I'll be sure and post some before and afters when I get going on it. Thanks for all the input, I'm sure I'll have lots more questions along the way.

[jseasor]

you can fix the carpet problem, by taking a pair of hair clippers on the lowest setting and shaving the inner edges, you can't tell and it helps tremendously..

[HydraSports]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dough4200 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. The "hole" is not really hole, it's just a place where the gelcoat has chipped off. From what I've read, I think MarineTex will fix it right up. Again, the guy at the boat shop didn't seem to think it was any big deal. Would I use MarineTex on the scrapes by the keel? It already has a keel guard, not sure exactly how the heck it got scraped this back. Looks to me like it just bounced up and down for awhile on a rock. Thanks again for all the input, keep it coming!</TD></TR></TABLE>


If it is not a holes and only a gel problem, then it could be filled. I would be suspect though. At the least get a grinder and grind out the the area of chipped gel coat. If indeed that is all it is I would grind out the gel in a nice square pattern.
Lay a layer of glass mat over it to strengthen it. Since you will be painting that section only I would leave it a little lower than the rest of the bottom.

Re-gel that section of the boat. Remember gel if sprayed will be orange peeled and need to be sanded and buffed. Or if brushed on will need to be thick enough to sand and buff, to even out the surfaces of the boat bottom and the repair area.

Because of the build up of gel during the molding process factory gel can be VERY thick. That combined with the fact glass mat will strengthen the area IMO means you should add the mat over the area and not just fill it.


I'm not sure what MarineTex is.
For the little filling I have done recently I've used a resin/carbosil mix.

[IllinoisBasser]

The prop is repairable. I can give you the number for Mike's prop shop in Collinsville. He does great work. I bought a motor last year that the prop was way worse than that one. They repaired it for either $30 or $35.


That boat looks like it will be a fun project.


Good Luck!

[IllinoisBasser]

Forgot to mention. If you are looking to reupholster the seats, there a is a shop on West Main in belleville next to Motomart near the fountain. I haven't had them do any work for me but I see a lot of boats there. So they must do good work.