Young guys who like to work on their cars are sometimes referred to as “motor heads” or “gear heads.” They love modifying cars or motorcycles, often with the intent of making the vehicle faster. The ability to work on engines, suspensions, transmissions and other components is a skill that stays with them well into their older years. Although the technology might advance, the basic principles remain the same.
Wherever an engine-powered vehicle is found, there is the potential for a project. The inspiration for one of these former “motor heads” was a 1970s-era Aristocraft boat.
Randy Ragan is a BMET III who works for Piedmont Hospital Atlanta. Ragan’s affection for boats and his affliction with restoring cars and motors intersected when he had the chance to buy a weather-worn old boat.
“I got interested in boats when I was very young. My father had a small boat and would take us fishing quite often,” Ragan recalls.
“I remember how much I used to love riding in the boat. I was always kind of a motor head growing up. In high school I had a 1969 Road Runner and then in college I found a 1968 R/T Charger with the 440 Six Pack motor. I restored them both and thought I would have them forever. But I got married, and we started a family, so I ended up selling them to get a house,” he says.
Ragan felt like it was the responsible thing to do at the time. A couple of years later, his fiscal responsibility was challenged when a friend offered him the opportunity to buy that old ’70s-era boat for an exceptionally good price.
“I thought this would be great for taking the family out on. Well when I went to check it out, it was pretty rough and literally had 20 foot trees growing out of it. I have always been able to see the potential in things, so I hooked it up, and towed it home,” Ragan says. “I put a lot of work into that little boat. Pulling the motor, redoing the interior, you name it; seems like I did it to that boat. But, when I was done, it was the coolest little family boat ever.”
Since that experience, Ragan has gravitated toward Sea Ray boats. He has completed several boat restorations, each a little bigger or a little nicer than the last.
“I have also restored one boat for a friend of mine. Usually I go for the classic mid-70s style, nice lines and thick hulls. I really enjoy taking something that is beyond what is practical for most and turning it into something that is truly nice,” he says.
A Diamond in the Rough
“My last project started when I noticed a boat at the place where I was storing my boat at Lake Lanier. I had seen this boat for about a year or so and never saw it move. It did not have a ‘for sale’ sign on it, but it was obvious that it was not being used,” Ragan says
The boat was a 23-footer and had a little cabin. Ragan was sure that if he could get it for the right price, it could be a great boat. He made several calls over a year’s time before finally hearing back from the owner.
“He mentioned that it had been several years since he had it on the water, so he took it to a mechanic and the news was not good,” Ragan says.
“He then said the motor was frozen and so he was not sure if I would still be interested. I said yes and we agreed to meet and discuss the sale,” Ragan adds. “Before he hung up the phone he asked ‘What will you give me for that little boat?’ I thought for a second and had an idea of what my maximum price was, but with him waiting on the line, I just said ‘Well I don’t want to insult you, so you tell me what you want for it and I will tell you if I can do it or not.’ Best move I ever made, because he came back and said that with a bad motor, and [since] it has been sitting for that long; ‘I guess I would have to get at least $600 for it.’”
Ragan got hard at work restoring his new prize. He swapped the old 305 engine for a 5.7 liter 350 four-barrel, that he found in a boat junkyard. He converted it to electronic ignition. He made many improvements and updates. He even redid all of the weathered teakwood features of the craft by sanding and resealing them.
“So after a whole lot of sweat equity, I now have a pretty nice boat that we can sleep on and take out for long weekends and overnight adventures,” Ragan says.
“The funny thing is, when I first brought this boat home, my wife was like; ‘Why do we need another boat?’ I explained ‘but honey this one has a place to sleep in it.’ She was not impressed. But now that it is done, we love it,” Ragan says. “ Now she is talking about getting an even bigger one to restore with a kitchen and larger downstairs, etcetera, etcetera.”
HTM Experience is Applicable
With the mechanical skills he learned growing up, supplemented by the troubleshooting and electronics skills learned as a biomed, Ragan found the perfect skill set for boat restoration.
“I am a BMET III and have 20-plus years of experience in the medical field. I have worked on it all, including X-ray, but now I work in the CVOR and specialize in respiratory. The team that I work with at Piedmont Hospital Atlanta is great. We all work hard, but we still have a lot of fun,” Ragan says.
Not every hobby lets you quietly float on a lake, but this BMET found a way to employ many skills, with some sweat equity, and make it happen.