ranger 373 flipping deck upgrade

[MikeD]

working on a 373 that originally comes with the side seats up front which gives it a short front deck.

wondering if anybody has any drawings/measurements for putting a flipping deck with storage under it available? or even a link to some photo's

thanks

[ACRon]

You might try Bass Boat Central they have a restoration forum and the guys are very helpful.
www.bassboatcentral.com

[Smile_n_Jax]

My boat has about a 3 X 3 foot open area in front of the console. So I cut and carpeted a piece of 3/4 inch plywood, ran some 1 X 2 inch stringers at the proper height and now have a full casting deck back to the console. I'd show ya some pics, but my boat's up at the lake.

[MikeD]

we have sort of the same thing setup, 3/4 plywood covered with carpeting back to the console but it covers any potential storage areas and the front live well. I'm planning on cutting it into sections and making lids for rod lockers on the sides and a lid to get to the live well in the front and then a lid for the main floor section that you used to be able to walk on to use as a big storage area.

just looking to see if someone had done it already (can't believe that no one has done this already...) so that I could see what they did and use it for ideas

was going to use some 2" alum angle underneath for supports and then figure out how to mount them all up to the side walls and the console

[ChuckP]

I recently built a casting deck for a Ranger 375, same basic configuration. I do not have plans or drawings but would be glad to talk to you on the phone or via PM or email. I could also send photos. The most difficult problem is that the seats slope back and drop about 2 inches from the front deck to the console. I had to use wood because of the slope and a couple of odd angles. It was not difficult. Do NOT use treated plywood, carpet glue will not stick to it.
Chuck

[Blue_R70]

As ACRon pointed out, try looking in the Ranger or Bassboat Restoration forums at www.bassboatcentral. There have been a *lot* of threads with pictures showing various posters' flipping deck projects--you may have to search the archives though.

This seems to be what you're looking to do: http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=32125

Before pics:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5 ... AYsWjhy5cA

After pics:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5 ... AYsWjhy5cA

[MikeD]

this is almost perfect, layout is perfect but hinges are on top and not recessed - no complaints other than that

image from BBC forum archives, thanks for the point in the right direction

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5 ... AYsWjhy5cA

[rickd]

I'm looking to do the same thing on my Ranger as well. Keep the thread rolling for idea's please!

Need more idea's.

Thanks,
rickd

[mark poulson]

Use 3M spray adhesive. It sticks to pressure treated lumber. But be sure the plywood is dry before you carpet it. It's stacked wet from the dip tanks, and needs to dry out before you carpet it, or the glue won't stick.

[Dan McKenzie]

Mike,
Why wood? Wouldn't sheetmetal (aluminum) be better? It wouldn't rot, it would be lighter for sure.

[GW]

Do not use the spray. It will only hold in the short term. Having done carpet in more than my fair share of bass boats I have tried tons of different adhesives. I am testing some "new" spray adhesive right now on a Ranger I just finished yesterday but do not feel confident enough in it to tell you to use this yet. It seems to bond well to fiberglass / carpet but thats it.
Anyway, to my point, use contact cement. Its the best way to go. Also, avoid staples in the carpet/wood at any cost. It will come back to haunt you at a later time

[MikeD]

this is almost perfect, layout is perfect but hinges are on top and not recessed - no complaints other than that

image from BBC forum archives, thanks for the point in the right direction

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5 ... AYsWjhy5cA

wonder if he was able to get rod lockers installed into the underseat storage areas on both sides... thinking if you open up the top of the storage hole and drill large (2"??) holes in the forward wall you could put rod tubes into the forward section

[MikeD]

Mike,
Why wood? Wouldn't sheetmetal (aluminum) be better? It wouldn't rot, it would be lighter for sure.

wood is easier to work with, and the thickness of the alum would need to be pretty serious, expense of the metal vs cheap wood

[MikeD]

GW - used the heavy duty 3M spray on the boat when I did the carpet in the spring, it still looks great with no pulled up corners. think I still have some of the glue on my fingers...

[Dan McKenzie]

see now that's where I can help you out, I have plenty of aluminum lying about that I can donate to a worthwhile project, an extended flipping deck is a very worthwhile project. If you can draw/sketch it, I can shear/punch/form it for you. That should be worth a trip on one of your foothill lakes

[MikeD]

see now that's where I can help you out, I have plenty of aluminum lying about that I can donate to a worthwhile project, an extended flipping deck is a very worthwhile project. If you can draw/sketch it, I can shear/punch/form it for you. That should be worth a trip on one of your foothill lakes

no doubt, the boat actually belongs to my daughters boyfriend, they were nice enough to give me "visitation rights" for the work that I helped them with (rear carpet/electronics/gelcoat buffing/etc)

I'm hoping to spend some time with it over the holidays, thinking that I'll measure and cut up some plywood to confirm the measurements. Once I get it finalized I'll ping you on measurements and discuss design, happy to take you out on the water so that you can check your work in action up here at Melones/Tulloch/Pedro/Salt Springs. sounds like others might be interested in the project too

[Dan McKenzie]

Mike,
reach me at work by email dmckenzie@protekmfg.com
When I did a deck on my old boat I used the method linoleum layers used, laying down paper and cutting it into a temp, that gave me precise radiuses. if you do something like that I have a 48" x 48" laser scanner that can convert it into machine code and then cut it out in our laser or punch presses. If not good old standard measurments work fine too.

[MikeD]

was thinking of putting the final dimensions into autocad...

thanks again for the generous offer

[Dan McKenzie]

autocad is fine exported as a dxf.