1987 Ranger 350V Overhaul

[Bassin4Life055]

After seeing the amazing restorations done here has inspired me to finally fix up my family's neglected bass boat. It gives me a chance to learn the boat intimately and give me an opportunity to work on it with my brother, which is cool.

It's been unused for almost 5 years now and I'm finally is a position to be able to get it looking new again.(School only two times a week really helps)

Here's some Pics to show what I'm dealing with...







I guess those will serve as the "Before" After those were taken we began tear down. I can only hope construction will be as easy as the destruction







Plans now call for extending the front deck to the drivers console as the others have done. We are hoping to do that on Friday.

My question right now is what size do you guys think the original carpet was? I like Basscat Carpet prices and it's quality but its 24oz carpet and I know that in the industry that's pretty thick. If the original was 20 do you think I could get away with 24 or will the lids be difficult to operate?

Insight would be great, will try and keep you guys updated!

[ProcraftMike]

That Ranger has a lot of potential.... . Make sure you give us some after pics. as well.

My guess is the original carpet was probably 16 oz. Do you know if it has ever been changed? You might get away with the 24 oz., it all depends on how much gap you have on the lids. I went from 16 oz. to 20 oz. and didn't have a problem.

You can always take a razor or trimmers and shave down the carpet on the edge of the lid. so it fits. I would think you could get away with 24 oz., but you might have more resistance when opening and closing the lids.

[Scrapper]

You'll be fine on that boat...the lids have huge gap in them. Just like mike said you can always trim...but you shouldn't have too on that boat. Looks like a great boat to do a resto on. I love the 300 series Rangers. You'll love that big ol' deck too...nothing like it!! Keep us posted!!

[jseasor]

you'll be fine with the 24oz. carpet...it'll be tight but will eventually lay down...if you have to trim, its ok, i took a pair of hair clippers on the lowest setting and trimmed underneath the lids where the carpet wrapped around for a flush look.. that boat is very simliar to the one i restored...

here are some website that i got my stuff from.

steering wheel decal http://cgi.ebay.com/RANGER-DEC...wItem

windshields. http://www.candomarineparts.co...html#

Ram mount (which will fit now if you change windshields, those don't wrap around near as far. http://www.ram-mount.com/

latches http://www.basscatstore.com/locklatch.aspx

shocks http://www.basscatstore.com/lidshocks.aspx
call basscat if you go with them instead of ordering online, and specifiy that you need mounting hardware..

carpet http://www.basscatstore.com/hi....aspx

trailer jack cover http://www.basspro.com/webapp/...sults

and last....contact darryl and iguanagrafix....he does some great decals for those GT 150's!

[bigGUNS04]

AWESOME I will be watching this thread! good luck! looks like it will be a solid boat once finished!might need a few more of these

[Sondrashubby]

hmmm... I wonder who's beer that is??

[SwatDawg]

Keep us posted with the progress

[Bassin4Life055]

Hey guys thanks for the support and jseasor for the awesome links. That Basscat store is awesome.

Someone on another forum mentioned building it out of Aluminum because the weight of the wood deck will knock how your boat rides top end and affect how the boat gets on plane. I know most of you guys used wood, do you see any adverse results?

[jseasor]

my deck weighed around 70 lbs. give er take a few lbs. it has not hurt my speed, and definently gets on plane much much quicker....which is a + in my mind.

[Will I Am]

Im all about a good deal and saving a some cash whenever i can get on ebay and look around for the lil stuff u need, basscat store is great, but latches, shocks all that stuff can get pricey......

I gota 350v gonna be re doing the interior real soon and all new livewell system, already built a front deck jsut gonna add the compartments and put a stereo in it.. Buffing my boat doenst help to much all ready down to the flake, not to much clear left real rough to the touch....I love it thinking about letting it go and getting into a 400 series after i do all this stuff, who knows though.

Anyway good luck!!

[jseasor]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Will I Am &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im all about a good deal and saving a some cash whenever i can get on ebay and look around for the lil stuff u need, basscat store is great, but latches, shocks all that stuff can get pricey......

Anyway good luck!! </TD></TR></TABLE>
it can get very tough finding matching latches and about 5 of them. if you contact other places, basscat is actually cheaper..

[G P]

Can't wait to see the progress on your boat I have a 1987 360 same color, in pretty much the same shape as well.......GP

[G P]

Ranger is really behind in the internet business. BassCats Parts and Accessories is nice I wish Ranger had something like that......

[johnsinbelton]

I too have a 350 and will be overhauling also....I cant wait to see what you do with this one ... will be watching .....

DeSean