Ranger 25 Modifications and Add-ons

I receive some questions about the additions and modifications we made to create or make better use of the storage areas on the Laurie Ann. I used the plastic material called Starboard or Seaboard in 1/2" 3/8" and 1/4" thicknesses. I bought them in 4 by 8 sheets from a friend who uses them in his business. It is amazing at the markup that that marine stores put on these!

What I learned is because of the strength of this material, if I did this again, I would have used more 1/4" material and less 3/8" material. The 1/2" is great for making cleats for the shelves. This material is very easy to work with because all the wood working tools work equally well. However, this material cannot be glued. Literally, nothing really bonds to it and I have tried the whole spectrum of products. So, everything is fastened with stainless.
 
John and Laurie,

You have taken the idea of boat ownership to where it should be. Start with a basic boat and make a comfortable "home on the water" nice job and great ideas.

Fred
 
jlgray said:
I receive some questions about the additions and modifications we made to create or make better use of the storage areas on the Laurie Ann. I used the plastic material called Starboard or Seaboard in 1/2" 3/8" and 1/4" thicknesses. I bought them in 4 by 8 sheets from a friend who uses them in his business. It is amazing at the markup that that marine stores put on these!

John, Do you have any good sources for teak or kingboard at a good price? ( That you can share, that is)
Captd
 
Great Question.

I have had great difficulty getting teak. There is an environmental and global issue to getting it. Lately, I have been finding it from older boats and those stores and yards that sell used and surplus marine stuff. For the latest modifications, I used oak and then experimented with wood stains to get the color matched to the teak. I will probably continue to do that.

My local source for Seaboard is not interested in becoming a distributor because his business is manufacturing. Seaboard can purchased on-line but it is nearly twice the price that I have paid. Here is one example of an on-line supplier:

http://www.professionalplastics.com/HDPESEA

Also, Andrew at the factory has been very helpful is pointing me in directions on some the supply issues.
 
King Starboard is HDPE plastic board. Same type of material which many cutting boards are made of. I have kept a bunch of scraps which do many of my projects, but also find old swim steps and other damaged objects, which still have good ½” HDPE plastic and can either be purchased cheap, or free at marine salvage yards. Google the material and there are a number of places which will retail it for much less than the marine stores.

Another source of small pieces is cutting boards. There is a fairly good sized one at WalMart for less than $10.
 
TomRay":1wewg2mu said:
captd, are you sure that's the number?

The conventional numbering scheme would have the last four be "I809" not "1809". In that system, the "I" means "September" the "8" means built in 2008, and the "09" means it is a 2009 model.

I'm not certain Ranger uses that numbering system, but most manufacturers do.

You are right , the "1" is an "i" . Insurance made a big deal out of it, They would not accept an 1. Took a day or two to get on the same page.

captd
 
This is not about the solar panels, but rather your NMPG quotes. Those I find of interest!! I have the Yanmar 110 as well. How accurate do you think your numbers are? How long a period/milage on the 6 knot numbers? I've got 255 hours and 1,500 miles on Lobo so far -- 6 1/2 months.
 
Hey Nerds, can we move the Ranger forums/topics to Tug-Nuts? Not trying to get rid of them here but there may be folks registered there that are not here and this would be useful information for them.

For myself, I'm registered both places and will continue to be an avid reader of both!! :thup

Charlie
 
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