Getting there on projects for my 2001 Ranger 518

I’ve got a few left to do but that’s all for now. The rest will be left for the winter. Since buying the boat last spring I added a CMC hydro plate, a Flat Foot, rod buckles on the front deck, Land and Sea dual action hot foot and a blinker trim/jack swith. Next will be new latches and carpet. I’m trying to decide whether to get the new carpet with the logos to keep it and Everstart boat or just go plain? I’m not sponsored by them or even fish tourneys anymore. Lots of time to decide.

Another pic of the front deck and buckles.

One more….

How difficult was the flatfoot installation?

I would be interested in some details on that (flat foot) as well. Would like to have one on my Ranger, curious time/materials/cost. Is there a kit you can just buy from ranger or was it homemade? Thanks DK.

I got the flat foot used off another message board. PM me if you want the site. Took app an hour and a half to put in but could have done it in an hour if I had all the materials first. Was pretty easy. The hard part was getting the nerve to cut into the deck. After I took the first cut it was fine. I drilled 4 holes according t to the template that came with the kit. Make sure you cut on the outside of the line you draw or you’ll have to re-cut it again. Then take a jig saw and cut the hole, then a sawsall and recut the hole. Once you get that done cut the inner piece into littler pieces just to get it out. Lots of foam and a pvc pipe underneath. I got a spade shovel which helped to get the pieces out and then used the spade to get out the foam under the deck in big pieces. The parts you’ll need at the hardaware store that they don’t supply is a 3/4″ 90 degree elbow and a 2′ piece of 3/4 tubing. Attatch a small piece of tubing (2″)to the drain and then attatch the elbow then put the rest of the tubing on the other side of the elbow and run it up thru the pvc pipe to the front of the boat to drain under the front control panel. Yes, there will be water that will stay in the tube if the tray gets filled with water but there is no other way to drain it other than inside the front storage bin. You will have to cut some of the bin down to get the elbow/tuibing to fit. Mount the trolling motor foot peddel in the tray by drilling the appropriate holes. Put silicone around the tray before you put it in. That will help seal in case of a good soaking. Then screw down the tray and you’re good to go!!! Total cost was $125 incl ship and extra hardware. I got it used but new in box. These normally run about $130 plus ship. Total time was 1 1/2hrs but should take less than that. The rod straps took 2 hours! That was hard to cut into the sides of the boat, too!!!!

PS…I’d install the Flat Foot versus the Comfort Troll on the Rangers. The Comfort Troll needs a rounded back end which is hard to cut and you also need to cut into a brace that I didn’t need to cut with the Flat Foot!

Good Luck!!!

Just by looking on the pics it is hard to tell. How do you get to your cont./off/mom. switch on the back of the footpedal? Is there enough space, or do you have to reach your finger in there to flip it? I can imagine cutting into fiberglass isn’t real easy, especially visible places in the boat. Thanks, Looks great!

I can just reach my fingers in there. Pretty easy.

duckilr: What boat do you have?

Thanks mnfish. I have a 482 Commache, similar boat, only a tad older. I haven’t really looked into putting in the flat foot, but have always thought they’d be nice.

love your boat! Just bought a new to me 518dvx and wanted to swap out those annoying rubber rod straps. How hard was the install of the rod buckles?