We bought a old Cruise Craft Reef Ranger

[FishHunter]

Like it says, never owned a boat before and after much thought we decided on this instead of a tinny.
I am pretty handy and can handle most of the work needed myself except I wont be doing the transom or stringers.
We have done a bit already on trailer and boat with the big stuff planned for later this month.

Then
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010400.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0042.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0043.jpg

A bit later
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010637.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010644.jpg

Now
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010663.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010666.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010668.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/user/caver1961#p/u/3/pWpM8Ig5d4w
http://www.youtube.com/user/caver1961#p/u/2/matBgNDeIFU
http://www.youtube.com/user/caver1961#p/u/1/Zx0NPFc-yT8
http://www.youtube.com/user/caver1961#p/u/0/rd_vzNTxlhc

[snodger 08]

mate she is a pretty straight looking rig. Bet she is a nice steady fishing platform. Have fun doing her up hey

[MEGA'bite]

get the straps of the fibreglass, put some rag or carpet face down under them before you mark the gelcoat. nice boat

[krazyfisher]

I always have liked the reef rangers and think it is a well suited boat for mackay

[FishHunter]

get the straps of the fibreglass, put some rag or carpet face down under them before you mark the gelcoat. nice boat

Thanks for the tip

[Jarrah Jack]

Good boat, good size. It looks like it has been well looked after. Does it need the transom and stringers done or are they ok for now? reading your post again it looks like you'll be getting someone else do those as well. Worth a read of a few transom threads on here so that you can ask the boat builder the right questions.

[FishHunter]

Good boat, good size. It looks like it has been well looked after. Does it need the transom and stringers done or are they ok for now? reading your post again it looks like you'll be getting someone else do those as well. Worth a read of a few transom threads on here so that you can ask the boat builder the right questions.

I think it stood under a tree for a long time, as there were frogs in the passenger seat base :).
I have spent many hours with acid washes and other chemicals to get it looking like that and I have a few more hours ahead of me still.

The transom and stringers still need doing hopefully this month, I am getting Murray Craft fibreglass to do it as they had all ready looked at the boat and quoted on it before I saw it. They seem to have a very good reputation up here and I don't have the ambition to tackle a project of that size myself.

[Twosheds]

I fished out of my father-in-law's reefy with him for many years. Great boat to fish from with lots of cockpit space and pretty stable at rest. It banged a little bit heading into a chop but behaved impeccably with a following swell or sea. I found it to be a very seaworthy boat. In fact it converted me to Cruise Craft and I eventually wound up with an Outsider.

One big bug bear though was the lack of underfloor space to fit a fuel tank, he struggled to get a 100 litre custom jobbie in there. We were always carrying those bloody plastic 20 litre tote tanks. If you are going to do the floor/stringers and transom you could consider enlarging the underfloor space to get a bigger fuel tank in there - just my thoughts if you will be travelling any distances.

Hope you get lots of use out of your new purchase, it certainly looks the goods after all your cutting and polishing. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a reefy, but then I'm biased.

[FishHunter]

It has a 80 ltr tank underfloor and a 50 ltr tank as the cabin floor so I am ok for most trips

[FNQCairns]

Great boats those also I love the sound of those engines when strung right out.

enjoy!

[FishHunter]

Did a bit more work today, got less done than I wanted but every bit counts.
Fitted a Lowrance Elite 5 on a ram mount.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0103.jpg

[deckie]

Heyyyyyyyyy nice pick up ;D
Terrific rigs...great size to still be manageable out by yourself if u want and looks in sweet condition ripe for a spruce up. Just about finished a project and you;re making me drool. Might need to start another myself;D.
The windscreen looks in good nick other than needing some fresh lexan/acrylic. I mention the windscreen now because early is really the time to attack them..they're often an absolute bastard (they look simple but can turn rapidly into a huge pain in the arse) for various reasons so might be something to take off and knock off the "to do" list whilst its with the glasser. If you;re lucky the factory didnt use some sort of glue that turns to steel over time and the material comes out easy...just be careful not to bend the alloy frame and take the old pieces of acrylic down to get new ones cut. Sometimes the bolts/screws holding the individual frames together can corrode/fuse over time making it tough to take apart so good luck. Sometimes its easy to take the screen off the boat but tough to take apart and spruce up. With the acrylic out u may want to spray paint/clearcoat the frame if needed or take down to a powder coater but dont paint the inside recess part.
As soon as the screen is off if u polish/buff the whole dash area first then u are set and can do all the work u want including electrics and installing anything ...leave a good overall polish detail till the end. That blue waterline strip is buggin me already.

Just ignore me..i'm meddling already :D

Great blend of cabin and deck space on these and a good ride.

[FishHunter]

Heyyyyyyyyy nice pick up ;D
Terrific rigs...great size to still be manageable out by yourself if u want and looks in sweet condition ripe for a spruce up. Just about finished a project and you;re making me drool. Might need to start another myself;D.
The windscreen looks in good nick other than needing some fresh lexan/acrylic. I mention the windscreen now because early is really the time to attack them..they're often an absolute bastard (they look simple but can turn rapidly into a huge pain in the arse) for various reasons so might be something to take off and knock off the "to do" list whilst its with the glasser. If you;re lucky the factory didnt use some sort of glue that turns to steel over time and the material comes out easy...just be careful not to bend the alloy frame and take the old pieces of acrylic down to get new ones cut. Sometimes the bolts/screws holding the individual frames together can corrode/fuse over time making it tough to take apart so good luck. Sometimes its easy to take the screen off the boat but tough to take apart and spruce up. With the acrylic out u may want to spray paint/clearcoat the frame if needed or take down to a powder coater but dont paint the inside recess part.
As soon as the screen is off if u polish/buff the whole dash area first then u are set and can do all the work u want including electrics and installing anything ...leave a good overall polish detail till the end. That blue waterline strip is buggin me already.

Just ignore me..i'm meddling already :D

Great blend of cabin and deck space on these and a good ride.

The 2 front panes of the windscreen were replaced at the same time as the bimini. When I find some plexus I will do some more work on the side screens but I wont be replacing them any time soon.

Also filled up both tanks yesterday and the underfloor tank is 100ltr not 80 as I thought. All up it takes 150 ltr or so :o.

[Lucky 1]

Hello FishHunter, Great choice in boat. I had one for for over 15 years, and it is still a member of our family (my father has it now). I loved it because it gave a comfortable ride and it is a great stable fishing platform. I might even be brave enough to say it rides more comfortable than a modern 6.25! We squeezed 170 litres of fuel down the middle in 2 custom made tanks, and with this amount of fuel we went anywhere we wanted to. Caught some great fish in it too.

Regards,

Lucky

[FishHunter]

I had some time to get stuck into the boat today. The gel coat has been bugging me as it has black crap ingrained in it and nothing I have tried has been able to shift it. I have tried acid wash, boat wash and Ct18 and while it looks better its still crap.

I decided to attack the cockpit and try and get it looking better. Buffing with a very abrasive cutting compound didn't do much except make the dirt shiny so I scoured the house for every cleaning chemical I could find.

Acetone and thinners didnt make a dent, neither did degreaser. I moved on to spray on stain removers and detergent without any joy.

In desperation I mixed up a concentrated solution of Vanish napisan and with some elbow grease and a scotchbrite pad the gunk started to give way.

Now I just need to explain to SWMBO where all her laundry aids went :)

eRc4twJhL3A

[Kero]

I'm really enjoying the updates on this rig. You'll get a lot of satisfaction (and an intimate knowledge of the boat) by doing all of this yourself. Keep it coming.
;)

[Reef Cruiser]

where did you get the round buff ball from i like that. like myself i have a reef ranger such a nice boat to be in and spend many hours cleaning and polishing it up, it is amazing how many days/weeks you can spend cleaning your boat.

[FishHunter]

where did you get the round buff ball from i like that. like myself i have a reef ranger such a nice boat to be in and spend many hours cleaning and polishing it up, it is amazing how many days/weeks you can spend cleaning your boat.

Its a Mothers Power Ball available from your nearest Super Cheap for about $60.
I hate cleaning the boat I just hate looking at the dirt even more :)

[FishHunter]

I have had a fairly productive weekend so far.
I removed the old corroded alloy bollards and an old alloy aerial mount as well as the original navigation lights.
All of them involved drilling the chrome plated brass machine screws out. I then filled in all the holes and attacked the whole superstructure with my whitening compound.
I also stripped the old shitty varnish off the port side wood work and stained it with a all in one stain and varnish.
I have next weekend to get more stuff done and then its in for the new transom and stringers :)

Some of the holes to be filled in
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010737.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010738.jpg

all filled in, dont know what to do an
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010746.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010742.jpg

New led nav lights
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010747.jpg

New stainless steel cleat
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010754.jpg

old varnish
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010750.jpg

New stain
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010752.jpg

[death_ship]

you do realise that once youve done her up your gonna have to buy a new motor dont you? you wont be able to help yourself

[FishHunter]

you do realise that once youve done her up your gonna have to buy a new motor dont you? you wont be able to help yourself

thats happening as we speak

[robothefisho]

Isnt that nav light on backwards?

[FishHunter]

Isnt that nav light on backwards?
nope. the leds are facing forward.

[Vitamin Sea]

thats happening as we speak

What are you going to put on her? a 140Zuk, 150 Opti? a 175 would be nice;D
Pretty good old boats, have fun doing her up, bit of advice, don't keep the receipts:-X

Cheers

Bill

[krazyfisher]

I have to agree DO NOT keep the receipts or atleast dont look at them

[FishHunter]

What are you going to put on her? a 140Zuk, 150 Opti? a 175 would be nice;D
Pretty good old boats, have fun doing her up, bit of advice, don't keep the receipts:-X

Cheers

Bill

Dont have the budget for a new motor so going for a newer 2nd hand motor, newer than the 30 year old motor that's on there at any rate.
have my eye on a 99 Evinrude 150 and a 2000 200hp Yammie has just entered the picture but he is out of my budget so far.

[Almako]

great thread FishHunter! Hope it turns out just how u want it.

[oldie]

get the straps of the fibreglass, put some rag or carpet face down under them before you mark the gelcoat. nice boat
love this call mate so true i completely thought the same when i saw it!! good on ya concerned lie she ya own! as the good old girls are worth looking after she looks pretty mint outside

[recipe]

Nice work with the boat FishHunter, did you try Sugar Soap as a cleaning agent?

[FishHunter]

Nice work with the boat FishHunter, did you try Sugar Soap as a cleaning agent?

Yes I did nothing would budge the stuff in fact there is still evidence of it, just not as obvious.

[ozassassin]

Good job mate, keep it up you will get there and you'll appreciate the end result even more.
Nothing more gratifying then looking back on a job well done, knowing it was all due to your hard work.
Eric

[FishHunter]

Another 2 days of work and its looking good. I had to disconnect the motor and remove everything that's bolted to or around the transom as its off to get it replaced tomorrow.
We are replacing the motor as well so I removed the controls and cables while I was at it.

I rubbed the whole superstructure down with 1200 grit water paper and then using a rotary buff I went over it with Septone extra cut compound followed by Septone cutting polish and then Mothers Carnuba wax by hand.
Saying I am knackered is putting it mildly.

SWMBO finished the woodwork and even tarted the steering wheel up. So its very nearly all systems go when it comes back from Murraycraft with the new motor bolted in place

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/2010-10-25064642.jpg

7a0Rr2bcmHA

[fisho64]

So what outboard have you decided to go with? last I read you were deciding between a yammy and Merc from memory?

[FishHunter]

Going with a 96 evinrude 150

[fisho64]

boat looks schmicko-good score!

[FishHunter]

boat looks schmicko-good score!

Thanks for that

[krazyfisher]

I drove pass it today at murray craft it looks to be in great condition, looks like you have done great work

[FishHunter]

Stopped in and took some pics of the Transom repair. The motor well and rear floor have been cut out and most of the wood chiselled out. The uncarpeted left side floor still has to be cut out to access the stringers.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0161.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0159.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0158.jpg

[FishHunter]

Nearly done, supposed to be picking it up tomorrow. The little recess at the back is where the bilge pump will live instead of on top of the floor. I also got them to repair some boat ramp gouges. The new motor also arrived today so I will be having a busy weekend hooking it up.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0163.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0164.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0166.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/DSC_0170.jpg

[FishHunter]

Picked the boat up today and then bought some more shares in Reef Marine, new steering cable kit and steering wheel, lights, sheathing and grommets etc. Now to get everything fitted.

[FishHunter]

Been working on the boat for the last 3 weeks since The transom repair and thanks to it raining almost every day I got about half of what I wanted done. Still have to fit the docking lights, the under gunwale lighting and the rocket launcher and a few other odds and ends as well as clean it up again.

This morning was the best chance I have had to get out so I grabbed it, 10 to 15knots and 2m seas and the boat ate it up.
Next weekends forecast is 20 to 25 so I suspect I will be playing in the river or the dams.

tgTRR9EOkdM

[Scalem]

Well done Fishhunter, your fastidious approach is the right stuff when it comes to boating. You even have two fire extinguishers! The motor purrs along from what I can hear in the vid, is it a reco or bought with low hours? Getting the tranny and stringers done professionally is how I prefer, you still have lots of work to do after the boat comes back.

I have never fished Mackay area, I would not have any doubts about this rigs seaworthyness or if the captain has done his homework about all the other things you need to make it an enjoyable day out.

Scalem

[PADDLES]

yeah, full credit to you mate, that's a great boat, you've given it the love it needed and no doubt it'll do the right thing by you, top job.

[ozscott]

Very nice mate. You would have to be happy with that. I see you did your own wiring. Hope you read the 2 threads going under the Electronics tab up the top of the site before doing that...did you work our Critical Length before wiring up the accessories? Did you solder, crimp or both? :)

Cheers

[PADDLES]

i see you had a nice steaming hot cup of smart@rse with your morning tea today scott, nice work with regards to your critical length, nyuk nyuk nyuk.

[ozscott]

Paddles , too good to pass up mate. Cheers

[FishHunter]

Scalem thanks, its a low hour second hand motor that I got SpaniardKing to check out for me. I dont think I am being fastidious I just like things to be done properly or at least what I consider to be done properly.

Paddles I also think so.



ozscott I spent many hours with a slide rule working out exactly what length and dia wire to use. Then I went and spent large sums of money on the best ratcheting hex crimpers money can buy and special solder that's more than 10% efficient, cause my crimpers and normal lead/tin solder are clearly no good at all. Despite more than a few race and rally cars running around with my handiwork in them.

[ozscott]

Scalem thanks, its a low hour second hand motor that I got SpaniardKing to check out for me. I dont think I am being fastidious I just like things to be done properly or at least what I consider to be done properly.

Paddles I also think so.



ozscott I spent many hours with a slide rule working out exactly what length and dia wire to use. Then I went and spent large sums of money on the best ratcheting hex crimpers money can buy and special solder that's more than 10% efficient, cause my crimpers and normal lead/tin solder are clearly no good at all. Despite more than a few race and rally cars running around with my handiwork in them.

Mate - I like your sense of sarcasm. I often indulge in it and its good to see so many on this doing likewise :). Enjoy your rig.

Cheers

[FishHunter]

We were going to reupholster the old seats but the trimmer changed his quote and it became the same price or cheaper to buy new seats.

Like most things it became a bit of a saga I got some stainless swivel's which meant 3mm steel plate bolted to the seat rails for the swivels to bolt onto.

Once the seats were mounted they had a huge amount of flex so I cut up some 5mm Aircraft grade ally I had to make supporting plates for the seat bases.

Of course the nutserts in the seat bases were all over the place which made life interesting when it came time to drill 8 bolt holes that lined up.

I need to put a slide on my seat but that can wait till I have fitted some seatboxes.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010869.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010867.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010868.jpg

[FishHunter]

Got stuck in today and fitted the LEd light kit I got from Boatlightfishing. Made myself seasick and high in the driveway from laying upside down wiping stuff with a thinners soaked rag while glueing lights under the gunwales.

Starting to look like a party boat still need to tidy up the wiring and fit the set of docking lights I have.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1000103.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1000101.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1000104.jpg

[StinkyPete]

Top job mate...owned one of these with a 135 on it....should never have sold it.....tight lines

[FishHunter]

Went out yesterday in less than ideal conditions. Boat seemed to do a good job of handling the conditions.
Other good news is around 150km over the weekend and the motor didnt miss a beat and no alarms.

Slightly better than 1km to a litre in good conditions and worse in the chop.

IyxviD8SaW4

[FishHunter]

Did a bit more fiddling on New Years day and yes I noticed the docking lights are see through the instant I hit the switch for the video :)
Mind is working on a solution that doesn't involve new lights

joFzbJ1wgTc

[FishHunter]

Havent done anything major for a while.
Fitted a Southwind Rocket Launcher which has been assembled with bearing grade loctite so its never coming apart.
After an overnighter I realised I need more lighting so a Blue LED strip has gone into the Bimini and a white LED flood light on top of the rocket launcher. This is mounted in a rubber housing and is waterproof with a 5 year guarantee hopefully I dont need the guarantee.

In preparation for some long trips I have velcro mounted a 300w Power Inverter so i can charge laptops, cameras etc. And yes i worked out voltage drop and used ratchet crimps and dual wall heat shrink.

LEd strip
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010924-1.jpg

Power Inverter
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010921.jpg

Rocket Launcher
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010920.jpg

Flood Light
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/P1010931.jpg

Next up is a new door and pulling all the carpet out.

[FishHunter]

I ripped the carpet out on the weekend and made up some 19mm Structural play panels to the old wonky ones over the tank. For now its painted with deck paint over which I sprinkled sugar to make it a bit rough, I think that was overkill and the paint feels pretty rough and non skid on its own.

halfway
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/2011-07-23080143.jpg

Sugar coated
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/2011-07-24154918.jpg

[FishHunter]

New Solas 4 blade stainless prop
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/2011-07-26171350.jpg

[deckie]

Nice wheel. Hope it goes as well as it looks.
Done a great job mate.
Luv those cc seat mounts too. Easily modded if wanetd, practical, and the new seats look spiffy and comfy.

[krazyfisher]

make sure you post the performance numbers with the 4 vs the 3. I will be interested to see them

[Robbo76]

I'm interested also on the 4 blade performance on your boat. I had one i tried on the haines, it had great take off but lacked top end. I went back to 3 blade. I also found it had a bit of vibration with the 4 blade.

[FishHunter]

Cant make a direct comparison as its a 14 1/4 x 19 vs a 14 3/4 x 17 Viper. But I will post what I see

Sent from my X10i using Tapatalk

[FishHunter]

Blue lighting finished (I think)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/2011-07-27185226.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/2011-07-27185026.jpg

[FishHunter]

$30 and about 40 minutes later, a soft comfy floor
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y38/razzo/Australia/Reef%20Ranger/2011-09-30161502.jpg

[TopBhoy]

Nice boat but those tiles, even with a power washer, will small bits of fish, debris, etc not get trapped underneath the tiles and in those holes leading to strange odours? Unless you intend to lift them after every trip.....

[FishHunter]

Thanks, they unclip easy enough to lift and hose underneath if its a issue. Much much better than the carpet that was in there before

[Fed]

Do they slip on the floor & where did you get them FH?

[FishHunter]

Most camping places and Clark rubber sell them I got those on Special at BCF for $30 for 3 packs. Thats 12 tiles, the floor space is nearly 2mx2m. The floor is grippy so I cant see them moving easily, time will tell I guess.

[krazyfisher]

looks great but why are you not out on the water????

[stevel3]

you have done a great job on it, hope you get many hours of enjoyment now

[FishHunter]

looks great but why are you not out on the water????
Thanks, weather money and sick carbies :)

[Leonida]

A real credit to you and your Mrs, your boat looks absolutely fantastic.;)