Most projects that we start in life have a beginning, middle and end. When it comes to fixing up a boat the project never ends. Getting the “old girl” ready for the water, equipped with the proper tools of the trade, and making it a fishing machine is only the beginning. Now the fun begins.
Building out the Ranger 16’8 Banshee has been a blast. Taking a boat or should I say “shell” of a boat the first time to what it has become is satisfying and gratifying to say the least. Putting in the proper wiring, equipting it with the best the industry has to offer, and adding some personal bling has been a labor of love. Not only is it cool to see the project take shape but fishing from this jewel has been awesome.
The final stages of this project have been the most fun. Seeing that building flexibility in design has its advantages is a plus but fishing tournaments out of it, having others ooh and aah about it is special.
In prior segments we spoke about the components. Lets rehash them. We started with a Ranger Banshee flats boat. No lids, no wiring, no switches, and no accessories. Just a shell. Adding the proper wiring for trolling motor, outboard, and accessories. Getting the best latches. Adding a jackplate. Putting in the proper tools from Berkley and Rapala in proper locations and setting it up for perfect balance and performance was critical to this project. Adding Bluewater LED lighting and a Biosonix added pizzazz! We now have a UFO, an Unidentified Fishing Object!
Here is a list of products we used:
1. Ranger Banshee fiberglass boat
2. Lowe single axle heavy duty trailer with spare.
3. Ranger pedestals and butt seats
4. T&H Marine Atlas Tilt and Trim Model THT-35
5. Igloo 120 quart cooler
6. Light hardware and lights
7. 3 Deka Heavy Duty Marine Batteries
8. Minn Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor
9. Humminbird 798 C SI depth finder with GPS
10. Fire extinguisher and safety equipment including battery boxes and covers.
11. Heavy duty wiring
12. Rod Saver Rod tie downs
13. Berkley Rod Holders
14. Biosonix
15. Multiple bungee cords and tie downs
16. Hundreds of stainless steel screws
17. Bluewater LED lighting on the gunnels the entire edge of the boat
18. Perko latches
19. Bluewater LED livewell lights
20 Wired2Fish Floor Graphics
21. Yamaha 9.9 4-Stroke outboard with electric start
This project will never truly be completed. Its a work in progress. Its been fun and yes we would do it again and probably will. Thanks to Bob Rice, John Theison, Buells Marine and all my fishing buddies for help and suggestions. Last but surely not least….thanks to all of the manufacturers mentioned above for building the best products. We couldn’t have done it without them.
