compartment lids

motorhead0320 · 01-30-09, 06:28 PM

i bought an old 74 ranger and i am just starting to fix it up. I have all the old carpet out but i want to make some changes before i recarpet. All of the compartment lids are raised up. I would like to end up with a flat standing surace when i am done. Is my best bet to use plywood and make all new lids? The compartments all have "lips" on them that the lids go over. If i cut them off and have the wood lying flat on the deck do you think i will get alot of splashing out from the livewells? Also i guess i will need to coat the underside of the lids so they dont rot. What should i use? I bought this boat thinking i could buy a couple new seats and some carpet and would be on the water in no time. Boy, was I wrong. Still i bought the boat, trailer, trolling motor, and 70hp envirude(that needs a tune-up pretty bad) for 550. I still think i got a good deal.

bamabassman · 01-30-09, 06:33 PM

i would think that cutting the lips off the livewell is a bad thing pal. now this is just me, but if i were you, i would try to restore it to original as much as possible. i know it a 74 model. but it seems to me it would be well worth the effort and possibly worth more in the future to restore this to original. i have been looking at an old ranger, don't know the year, just for this reason. maybe one day i will go and ask if it is for sale.
anyway, just my worthless 2 cents worth. i just hate to see a boat get butchered up.

zooker · 01-30-09, 06:35 PM

some of them you may have to use plywood. probly the best set up i saw was some custom aluminum hatch lids.. it would weigh less than ply wood and never rot.. find a metal fab shop and see what they say..

zooker

motorhead0320 · 01-30-09, 06:59 PM

i definetly dont plan to spend the time or money to restore this thing to factory condition. I can respect those who do though. Maybe i can reuse the lids that are there and somehow build up the areas around them to make it flatter. When i put this thing in the water to see if it would float it just i just had a a vision of me or a buddy tripping on them and falling in. The new ones must come with flat decks for a reason, right?

This isnt mine but its the same model.
http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=261233

barkelypup · 01-30-09, 09:33 PM

I would just put extra padding under the carpet. Then put some type of pull strap on the compartment lid. If you cut the lip off it will damage the integrety of the fiberglass assuming it is fiber glass. Drilling a hole is not nearly as bad as cutting the lip off. I had a 74 Rock Island Ranger. Does your boat look like this? Thing was sturdy as a rock. and the 135 'rude ran it out about 40 mph. Does your boat look like this and do you have any pictures? It was great. Pull a skier and the whole works.

bP

motorhead0320 · 01-31-09, 11:43 AM

i will be taking some pics this afternoon. Today i am going to start sanding to remove all the old glue that left. I am alos making a trip to a local boat dealer to look at new boats to get some ideas and see what kind of hardware they have in stock. I cant wai to get this thing out on the water. Still have to take it in to get the motor serviced. Cant wait to see that bill. Motor seems to idle fine but when i raise the throttle it almost seems to flood out or drop a cylinder. Works fine in the front yard, but once their is resistance from the water is doesn't run as well.

bamabassman · 01-31-09, 11:45 AM

post up some pics motorhead, show the progress ok?

01-30-09, 06:28 PM	#1
motorhead0320 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 26	compartment lids i bought an old 74 ranger and i am just starting to fix it up. I have all the old carpet out but i want to make some changes before i recarpet. All of the compartment lids are raised up. I would like to end up with a flat standing surace when i am done. Is my best bet to use plywood and make all new lids? The compartments all have "lips" on them that the lids go over. If i cut them off and have the wood lying flat on the deck do you think i will get alot of splashing out from the livewells? Also i guess i will need to coat the underside of the lids so they dont rot. What should i use? I bought this boat thinking i could buy a couple new seats and some carpet and would be on the water in no time. Boy, was I wrong. Still i bought the boat, trailer, trolling motor, and 70hp envirude(that needs a tune-up pretty bad) for 550. I still think i got a good deal.

01-30-09, 06:35 PM	#3
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	some of them you may have to use plywood. probly the best set up i saw was some custom aluminum hatch lids.. it would weigh less than ply wood and never rot.. find a metal fab shop and see what they say.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

01-30-09, 09:33 PM	#5
barkelypup BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I'm a Hillbilly in Kentucky Posts: 223	I would just put extra padding under the carpet. Then put some type of pull strap on the compartment lid. If you cut the lip off it will damage the integrety of the fiberglass assuming it is fiber glass. Drilling a hole is not nearly as bad as cutting the lip off. I had a 74 Rock Island Ranger. Does your boat look like this? Thing was sturdy as a rock. and the 135 'rude ran it out about 40 mph. Does your boat look like this and do you have any pictures? It was great. Pull a skier and the whole works. bP Attached Thumbnails

01-30-09, 06:33 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	i would think that cutting the lips off the livewell is a bad thing pal. now this is just me, but if i were you, i would try to restore it to original as much as possible. i know it a 74 model. but it seems to me it would be well worth the effort and possibly worth more in the future to restore this to original. i have been looking at an old ranger, don't know the year, just for this reason. maybe one day i will go and ask if it is for sale. anyway, just my worthless 2 cents worth. i just hate to see a boat get butchered up.

01-30-09, 06:59 PM	#4
motorhead0320 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 26	i definetly dont plan to spend the time or money to restore this thing to factory condition. I can respect those who do though. Maybe i can reuse the lids that are there and somehow build up the areas around them to make it flatter. When i put this thing in the water to see if it would float it just i just had a a vision of me or a buddy tripping on them and falling in. The new ones must come with flat decks for a reason, right? This isnt mine but its the same model. http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=261233

01-31-09, 11:43 AM	#6
motorhead0320 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 26	i will be taking some pics this afternoon. Today i am going to start sanding to remove all the old glue that left. I am alos making a trip to a local boat dealer to look at new boats to get some ideas and see what kind of hardware they have in stock. I cant wai to get this thing out on the water. Still have to take it in to get the motor serviced. Cant wait to see that bill. Motor seems to idle fine but when i raise the throttle it almost seems to flood out or drop a cylinder. Works fine in the front yard, but once their is resistance from the water is doesn't run as well.

01-31-09, 11:45 AM	#7
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	post up some pics motorhead, show the progress ok?

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