Helping an old Ranger go topless...

[CreekCruiser]

I'm trying to research and prepare for removing the top cap on an old ranger TR3 to replace the stringers and transom and I am running into a problem. I believe this boat is a "semi-tub" style, and i think that all of the built in compartments have been glassed into the hull itself independent of the top cap. I have attached some pictures to try to show some of the edges that are in question. To me, if I have to cut out all of these compartments that brings this project to a whole new level of difficulty. I am really hoping there is an easy way to do this. Pics:










An overall view of the boat

Can anybody help me determine the amount of work to be done to get to the rest of my stringers?

By the way, removing 30 year old carpet glue is a punishment that I would wish on no one...

Thanks,CC

 

[jbcurt00]

About 75% of the effort and 5times the amount of time to remove the glue.

Look thru GT1M's Bassassin Topic: Love, Necessity and Pride

He's gutted a bass boat and is overhauling it completely w/ a new custom interior layout. LOTS of great stuff in there:

 

[Rickmerrill]

I don't think there's an easy way but you might consider pulling the cap first for better access to the tops for cutting. Not sure about the bow and stern raised deck construction or access once the cap us off but it may work out better to uh, cut them a few inches in from the hull to gain inside access and then just rebuild them. Between a sawsall, angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and maybe an oscillating multitool for the corners it won't take too much to cut them loose. Same old, same old just a bunch more of it. I know it seems like a lot of work for a small fishing boat.

 

[Rickmerrill]

Oh, what is that thing that looks like a kids sand pail turned upside down with the rod sticking up thru it?

 

[CreekCruiser]

Oh, what is that thing that looks like a kids sand pail turned upside down with the rod sticking up thru it?

That is the front seat base. No idea why it was built that way but it is foam filled and was glassed in on top of the front deck so it will be easy to move if I decide to go with just a regular pedestal mount seat.

 

[CreekCruiser]

Same old, same old just a bunch more of it. I know it seems like a lot of work for a small fishing boat.

Tell me about it. Still in the phase of trying to decide whether this boat is worth all the effort and expense. Keep in mind this is an older hull design that I have no personal experience with and I've never even had it in the water so this will all be on blind faith. Kinda wish I would have left the soft floor and at least launched her a few times to see if it is even a practical fishing boat. It is cramped that's for sure and if I do decide to cut all the compartments out I think some of them will stay out and I will come up with my own design for the layout.

 

[GT1000000]

Yeah it will be a major labor of love and sweat and did I mention labor...?
Like has been mentioned, it won't be an easy task to get down into the guts, but if you are ready, willing and able...you can make this into a fine little fishing boat...
Since you are looking at very possibly modifying the layout, then slowly and methodically cutting stuff away until you reach the structure is about the best course of action...
I would definitely try to remove the cap first and go from there...you may have to make some strategic cuts to separate it from the rest of the interior...
Depending on how much time and money you can put into it, you can have it restored and in the water in a matter of several weeks to several years...a lot also depends on what kind of place you have to work in...out in the open, not so good...in a well equipped shop, nirvana...
If you are not ready to make the commitment, you may want to look into restoring an aluminum hulled boat...it will take much less time and relatively less money...
Best of luck and have fun!
GT1M

 

[CreekCruiser]

Ok made a little progress tonight. Removed the rubrail, drilled out all the old aluminum rivets, removed a drain from the splash well that went through the transom, and scraped as much of the old sealant from the gap between the cap and hull as I could. Then I ran a scraper in between the cap and hull every inch of the boat from bow to stern to try to break the seal. After all that, I can't get the cap to budge. One spot, the port side of the transom, will move but not very much travel. I went over the boat and can't find anything that should be holding the cap down. Any suggestions?

 

[Rickmerrill]

You are probably closer than you think but it's going to take some patience and trial and error to get it separated. I'm guessing there is still enough sealant up in there holding on for dear life. I'd try finding or making up something that will reach further in where the hull/cap meet. Like a dental pick, hack saw blade or scraper with a small 90 degree bend. Then you can use it to cut/scrape/saw/poke at the sealant. I'd also use something like a piece of #14 copper house wire bent into a "J" shape to check if there is still anything still stuck in there. I'd start working the sealant where it's already starting to give and maybe put a 1-2' piece of 2x4 on edge under the lip then run a long 2x4 to the ground and wedge it in there to help lift the cap a little. Just some friendly persuasion, you don't want to crack the cap. Just what I'd try and see if it worked but what do I know!

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd suggest going up to the bow area and on the inside and outside checking to see if there is any resin or glue or any thing adhering the cap to the hull other than the rivets. There has to be something, else it would slip off with no problems. Pics of the area will help us to see what you see and then we could advise.

 

[CreekCruiser]

I think I ran into a bit of a set back today. It appears that my cap has been tabbed in all the way around the cap. Here is the visual evidence that I found.

Here is where I ran my scraper all the way up under the cap. I should be able to see the tip of the scraper from the underside of the cap, correct? Here is what I saw

Kinda hard to tell what you are looking at here, but you can see on the right and left where some rivets have been drilled out. I can tap up and down on the scraper and feel it hit something solid and I can't see anything from under the cap. On top of that it feels like a layer of glass is connecting the two pieces, hull and cap. When you run your fingers over the area you cap feel the seam where they overlap. It is like this all the way around. How do I proceed from here? There doesn't seem to be a way to get this thing off with the way it is connected. Anyone have any experience with a situation like this?

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup, Long flexible sawzall blade and steady/patient hands!!! Just remember, It's fiberglass and any "Boo-Boo's" can easily be repaired!!!

 

[CreekCruiser]

Quick question, do I need to add this layer of glass when I put the boat back together or can I just use the rivets from the rubrail?

 

[Rickmerrill]

You're going to want to at least put some sealant in there or you'll get water leaks but a layer of glass would be a better build, give a stronger rub rail and might be necessary due to the design.