Marinette Boat Forum

Interesting
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-7-5-ft-x ... /205442047
bill

I purchased the light silver diamond pattern. I carried a sample with me for a day and checked the temp in the sun. 120 degrees was as hot as it would get in 2pm full sun. The pontoon I was working on at the same time had carpet that hit 160 degrees.

So after Making it half way through the boating season with my new flooring, I have some pros and cons.
First the pros.
It cleans easy. I have not found anything that sticks to it or stains it.
If kept clean, it is slip resistant.
Comfortable on bare feet.
Stays cool unless in blistering mid day full sun. Even then, the S.S. trim is hotter.
Now the cons.
It gets slippery if not cleaned.
Expands when heated. I installed it in the sun because I predicted this would happen, but it was worse than I thought. The only problem I get is a few spots that bubble up in full sun. No big deal. I had to staple all edges down.
All in all I am happy. I would do the install a little different now that I know how it reacts.

Does anyone in the world know what Marinette was thinking of, with this back to the '50's' idea of using wood weather decks on a boat that should have been maintenance free in any other universe?
For a company that bought tons and tons of Aluminum every year, to buy plywood, then go to the expense of wrapping it in Nautolex Vinyl with adhesive and SS Staples makes about as much sense as fitting these boats with carbon steel rudders.
I have done the Cockpit twice, the Rails twice and the rudders once on my '87' and have since stopped telling any one that would listen, that the only thing that wears out on a Marinette, is the engines and the owners.
After owning mine for 23 years, I am starting to look at it like a Carver with corrosion instead of blisters.

First thing I did was rip out the plywood and put down aluminum. Screwed down with countersunk screws from above.

Noticed this one on ebay, replaced aft deck with aluminum diamond plate:

1979 Marinette Sedan United States Coast Guard Documented

Link didn't copy:

http://m.ebay.com/itm/1979-Marinette-32 ... nav=SEARCH

I used starboard with a anti skid surface molded into it, great to walk on nothing sticks to it or stains it always cool enough for bare feet. It's maintance free and will never rot.

great stuff. a little pricey but permanent and the easy maintenance cab't be beat

I am considering replacing the afternoon deck on my 28 express with aluminum as opposed to plywood after reading some older posts. My question is what thickness is recommended and is any extra support required with doing this? Any tips would greatly appreciated as I am about to start tearing into my winter project.thanks!