1988 Ranger 680t facelift and upgrades

Cuervo Jones · January 03, 2019, 10:43:13 PM

After languishing in a state of limbo for the past 4 years in my driveway, it's time to get my beloved 1988 Ranger 680t Fisherman back in action on the water. I got the boat in late '89 but it didn't see water until mid 1990. It's been on lakes and reservoirs in Wyoming, Colorado, and most recently Texas. Lots of life adjustments over the past several years lead me to neglect her and I feel horrible about it. So now, I'm giving her a facelift, upgrading her electronics and engine, and doing some much-needed rehab and maintenance. Here's the first stages of it. After 10 years with a crappy, cheap-but-functional cover (the previous, also non-Ranger cover got destroyed in 2008), the wear and tear of some recent storms was too much.

Unbelievably, I checked on eBay Christmas Day and found an original 680t cover for sale. It was unused and in perfect shape...for a 30 year old cover. A couple of days and $125 later, it was enshrouding my baby.

Lots of other mechanical work to be done, starting with the wheels and tires. They went from this.

To this.

Next will be the hubs. I'll check, replace if needed, and repack the bearings. Then new sonar units fore and aft. A new winch strap, new Yamaha 4 stroke, new bulge pump, and refinishing and polishing the gel coat. In a couple of weeks, she should be better than new and ready to tackle the prespawn largemouth and hybrid stripers on some of my local lakes. I'll update this thread as the project progresses. Happy 2019!

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Bassinkorea · January 04, 2019, 01:15:56 AM

You did good on finding that boat cover. Looking forward to following this thread. Good luck and welcome to UB.com

Oldfart9999 · January 04, 2019, 11:24:24 AM

I wish you well, you've got a good start. You might want to make a pvc pipe frame for the cover to keep it from collecting water when it rains, the cover and boat will thank you for it.
Rodney

Lipripper · January 04, 2019, 12:56:12 PM

Good find on that cover and glad to see your giving the old gal some TLC.

Mike Cork · January 04, 2019, 01:13:16 PM

What a cool project and an incredible find with the cover

Cuervo Jones · January 04, 2019, 01:31:35 PM

Thanks everybody. The weather finally turned nice today so while I wait for the new electronics and bearings to arrive, I spent some time trying to turn back time with some gel coat maintenance.
Using this.

See if you can spot the area I polished vs. the untreated area.

A few more passes and she should be looking a lot prettier.

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Cuervo Jones · January 04, 2019, 03:58:04 PM

Lo and behold as I was polishing the gel coat, my friendly fed ex guys drove up and delivered my new (used) sonar units. So now I have big screen tv action front and rear. Going from this

To this

With built in GPS and all sorts of swell stuff I never knew I could live without. The 21st century is an amazing time!

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apenland01 · January 06, 2019, 12:10:57 AM

Awesome! Keep up the good work on the old girl and enjoy those new big screen TV's.....

Cuervo Jones · January 06, 2019, 11:24:26 AM

Quote from: apenland01 on January 06, 2019, 12:10:57 AM
Awesome! Keep up the good work on the old girl and enjoy those new big screen TV's.....

Thanks very much.
One small victory at a time. Today I removed a quarter century-old measuring tape sticker from the gunnel using fingernails, a plastic scraper, and razor blade. Goo-gone got the remainder of the sticky stuff off. Also wired up the new starter battery and was pleased that the tilt switch lifted the engine up with no protests.

It fired up too. Anybody know someone who wants an '89 Yamaha Pro 50 in working (though somewhat leaky) condition?
And edited to add that I've checked all 3 pumps (bilge, baitwell, livewell) and they're toast. I was going to replace them anyway.

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Oldfart9999 · January 06, 2019, 01:53:16 PM

Making progress!!! It looks like it's shining up real nice!
Rodney

Cuervo Jones · January 09, 2019, 06:50:54 AM

I got the new bilge pump installed last night and it's humming like a charm. Next up is the livewell and baitwell pumps. Also got a transom transducer mounting pad and the winch strap in the mail. I'm waiting on the bearings to be delivered and once I install them, she's good to go down to the Yamaha dealer for the big operation. Not long now I hope.

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Bassinkorea · January 09, 2019, 05:46:08 PM

It's getting exciting. Good progress so far, keep it up!

Cuervo Jones · January 12, 2019, 02:06:59 PM

New bearings arrived in the mail just now. Which is good. Because this morning I installed a new rub rail rope, a transducer mounting plate, and replaced the main battery cable connectors.

With the new bearings, she's ready to roll down the highway to the engine transplant facility. Not long till we're back on the water, chasing fish again!

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Cuervo Jones · February 12, 2019, 06:42:13 AM

Some belated updates....there are none.
The Yamaha dealer I hauled it to has been swamped and after I called him once a week for the past couple of weeks to check in (getting his wife or answering machine each time), I got a call last Friday from the guy apologizing and claiming he'd call me yesterday (Monday). He didn't. I'll call him later today and see what he has to say about putting a 60 hp motor on. Doesn't seem like something that should take over a month to accomplish. Or am I being unrealistic?

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Oldfart9999 · February 12, 2019, 07:07:07 AM

If he had the motor in stock in may be he really is that busy if he takes them as they came in. Don't forget the pics when it's installed. I looked for a 690 for a long time before I gave up and went to aluminum, they were nice boats.
Rodney

Cuervo Jones · February 17, 2019, 02:59:47 PM

Yet another pictureless update: the motor is on order and should be ready in a week or two. I'm out of town for the next week, so no harm no foul! Gonna be GREAT when I'm putting along on the lake with the quiet new Yamaha humming in my ear!

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Oldfart9999 · February 18, 2019, 06:12:39 AM

the beginning of the season is tough time if you're in a hurry, it's when everybody decides they better get their work done.
Rodney

Cuervo Jones · March 15, 2019, 01:17:31 PM

And here we go!

Just got home with the new 60 hp Yamaha. Dad and I took delivery like we did 30 years ago. Older, maybe wiser, and definitely looking forward to fishing as soon as possible!

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Lipripper · March 15, 2019, 01:22:16 PM

Nice picture and hope y'all have a good first trip out with her and catch some fish.

apenland01 · March 15, 2019, 10:57:44 PM

SWEET!!

Bassinkorea · March 16, 2019, 10:04:13 PM

Nice!
Keep those updates and photos coming

Scott F · March 18, 2019, 04:37:42 PM

Ive got a 1988 680c. I've had mine since it was new. I'm looking forward to seeing yours when you are done.

Oldfart9999 · March 19, 2019, 09:05:40 AM

Ready to go, the other work will take longer now.

Don't forget the pics of the fish coming into her!!!
Rodney

Cuervo Jones · March 19, 2019, 10:15:34 AM

I'm going to replace the livewell and baitwell hoses since the old, green garden hose that's in there now makes me wince every time I look at it. New circuit breaker goes in tonight. First fish across the gunnel will be photographed and posted ASAP!

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Lipripper · March 19, 2019, 11:05:46 AM

Quote from: Cuervo Jones on March 19, 2019, 10:15:34 AM
I'm going to replace the livewell and baitwell hoses since the old, green garden hose that's in there now makes me wince every time I look at it. New circuit breaker goes in tonight. First fish across the gunnel will be photographed and posted ASAP!

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Will be watching for the report and fish