84 Ranger 375v

[Durby]

No pics yet but should have them soon. My wifes uncle blew the motor up on this boat and decided not to fix it. He told me if I wanted it, I just had to come and get it. He lives in Vegas and I live in Northern CA. Well, I let the boat sit for 5 years then decided to go take a look. Needless to say, the Vegas sun did me no favors but I believe I can fix her up. The motor that was on the boat is a 1985 Evinrude XP 150hp. I just happened to find another 1985 Evinrude XP (removed from a houseboat) that has 95-98 lbs compression on every cylinder and looked super clean. The boat is currently in the shop having that motor mounted. I also happen to work for a company that has an onsite upholstery person who is doing all the seats for me for the cost of the material.

I will get pictures up as soon as I can cause I am really concerned about the top cap and gel coat on it. The top cap is dark brown with a gold metal flake. I am pretty sure I can wetsand it down but not sure. If I put the hose on it and get it wet it shines nice until it dries. However, the cap feels like 100 grit sandpaper.

I know I have a few long weekends ahead of me but we shines and turns heads at the age 35, I will feel proud to ride her

Here are a few General pictures of the baot













Here is a Picture of the Top Cap, look closely at the discoloration. How can I fix this, any ideas?







Some more discoloration around the passenger side console



Here is a Picture of the the seats, the back has already been re-covered and the bottom is actually a pretty good looking seat compared to a few of the others in the boat that are being redone by a friend.



Front control panel



Small hole I need to JB Weld on the front deck



A few more random pics










Modified by Durby at 6:16 PM 2/20/2011

[Socal Bassman]

Congrats on the boat. Definitely give wetsanding a try. Sounds like the condition of your top cap is similar to my '82 Ranger when I picked it up. It is time consuming, but well worth it. Here are a couple before and after pics.

Before


After


Before (Close up)
.

After (Close up)

[farmin542]

That looks great. I have a 1991 391v that was in the same shape. I have alot of hours in buffing but its worth it when you get it right.

[Durby]

well, got the boat back tonight and while it was at the shop the mechanic put a few gallons of fuel in the tank. Well, more bad news, the fuel he put in started seeping out of the tank, he moved it via electric pump to other side and the same thing.

Sooo, anyone know a source for the square tanks that come in a Ranger 375V. I will get pics of the boat and everything up tomorrow.

maybe something like this will work

http://www.pbsboatstore.com/mo...Zilla


Modified by Durby at 8:21 PM 2/16/2011

[Durby]

Bump back to the top, Pictures added to original Post

[Hometownhandyman]

I can't advise on the tanks, that is a shame for you.
I would suggest that you use fiberglass to repair the hole in the deck. As well, remove any and all fitting from yhe boat prior to wetsanding and buffing, it will make the job easier to do.
Good luck!

[bdunn3]

I have an 85 375V. Please keep us posted on your progress. Good luck!

[AirForceAngler]

Are you sure the tank itself was leaking and not a fitting or hose connection? The rubber hoses may have deteriorated over the years. Or the seals/gaskets. Good luck! Call Ranger on the tanks.

[Durby]

I am not 100% sure the tank is leaking. I am going to pull them out and fill them up with water to check them out. I have at least another month of work before she will be ready for water so I am not worried about getting the water all out of the tanks, but I figure thats the only true way to test them.

On another note, while wet sanding I am doing 800, 1500, 2000. I am about 1/2 done with the 800 round and I am only sanding until the hull feels smooth. The color isn't really changing much when dry and I have never wet sanded anything so not really sure what I am looking at. I am guessing that 10 years of Vegas sun just faded the gold flake to more of a dull bronze and their is nothing I can do about it. If anyone has any advise for me, I am all eyes.

I have also read that I shouldn't polish the hull but only sand it. would sanding it with 800 be ok or should I do something a little finer?

[AZ River Rat]

Hey Durby,
Are your tanks plastic or alum? I took out my aux tanks from my 392 and they are just sitting here. The measurements are 25.5" (L) x 17"(W) x 11"(H). Send me an e-mail if you want them. I don't get on here that often anymore.

cory52@roadrunner.com

[Durby]

tanks are plastic. I will be removing them tonight so I will let you know for sure. Thanks for the offer.

Mike

[bassdad]

Hi Durby: My tank is plastic and I had a similar problem - caused by corroded seal and connector. Good idea to pull the tanks so that you can clean 'em up and get the gunk out......while your there, you can inspect / clean out the compatment and replace any worn fittings. also go for new gas line. It will save you money down the road.....Looks good! keep the pics comin'

[Durby]

Got the passenger side tank out tonight, what a pain that was. Anyhow...the tank is stained but I don't see anything that looked like a leak. If the tank is leaking it should be oily right? I didn't find anything like that. The oily looking spot around the small hole is from WD40 to loosen the elbow.

Measurements

19.5in Long
12.5in Wide
13in Tall

Here are a few pics of the tank. The sun when down here and and it got really cold fast here in Northern CA.

[BASSCAT7]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Durby &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">On another note, while wet sanding I am doing 800, 1500, 2000. I am about 1/2 done with the 800 round and I am only sanding until the hull feels smooth. The color isn't really changing much when dry and I have never wet sanded anything so not really sure what I am looking at. I am guessing that 10 years of Vegas sun just faded the gold flake to more of a dull bronze and their is nothing I can do about it. If anyone has any advise for me, I am all eyes.

I have also read that I shouldn't polish the hull but only sand it. would sanding it with 800 be ok or should I do something a little finer?

</td></tr></table>

Durby,
Read and follow this post and it will give you all the info on wet sanding.
Sand with the grit you are using until the sanding water turns from a milky color to running clear, then move up to the higher grit.
When done sanding, then follow the compounding and glaze part.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=311487

[bdunn3]

I pulled the tanks out of mine also because they had water in them at that time and both sending units were junk. The tanks themselves seem very thick walled to me and would need some kind of puncture or squashing to damage them unless they should develop cracks. I went the air pressure way. Seal all inlets and rig up a gauge/fill nozzle for the fill hole. Put slight pressure on tanks. Let them set for 24 hours and check pressure gauge. You can also use a spray bottle with a little dish soap mixed with water and spray around the inlets, etc. looking for leaks while the tank is under presurre. You will get bubbles where the air is leaking out. This wouls also work I think with a vacuum setup. Caution: Use very small amount of air pressure or vacuum to do this test. Tanks are not designed to have pressure or vacuum applied. Just my 2 cents.

[Durby]

Pulled both tanks out and cleaned them up a little and they looked fine so I filled em both up with water and sat them on the sidewalk all day. No leaks and no moisture on the outside of the tanks.

Here are a few pics of the wet sanding process. I have done a complete pass on the topcoat with 800.

In the pic below I did a small section with 1500 and 200 just to see what it would look like, can you tell where the finished part is?

Here is a little side by side of the same same rail to see progress, this is after 800 and one pass of the 1500. Gonna do another pass of 1500 before moving on to the 2000,

Before I started


As it sits right now.





Modified by Durby at 3:46 PM 2/23/2011

[Durby]

This wet sanding is some hard work. I go out and do 1 side of the boat then come in and take a break for 20 minutes or so then back out and do the other side. So far I have done 800 grit all the way around and inside and done 1 pass each side with 1500 grit. I am gonna do another 1500 pass to make sure the milky white stuff isn't still coming off. After the 1500 I will finish her up with 2000 then start the buffing and polishing process. I can already see a huge difference from when I started.

[packfan]

She's looking good. I just did gel coat on an old 373 and it will work that shoulder for sure but like your are seeing... well worth it when done.

[davidikus]

I used some Meguiar's Fiberglass oxidation remover I picked up at my local boat shop. I at first tried using it with a power buffer, but that was going to fast through the clear coat. I just used a good quality white cloth and did it by hand. Looked like a new boat when I was done. Might try that in the future on oxidized areas.

[Durby]

got one side completely done tonight with the 2000 grit. Will try to get the other side tomorrow night before the rains come again to N. CA. Won't get to work on it this weekend cause the wife and I have finish line tickets to LVMS for the nascar race this weekend.

Hopefully when I get back I can start the polish process and then start working the carpet and make an attempt at connecting all the wires back up.