The cockpit walls on my 32 express are rotted in alot of places. It has the original plywood covered in the textured vinyl. I searched on line for some sort of "rot free" sheeting (polyethelyne/propylene) but it all came out too expensive. My 2nd thought is to resin and paint some 1/4 inch fiber board, but I am not sure if that would look hokey.

Any thoughts? Has anyone replaced the cockpit walls? I will definately be looking at adding some cubbies for storage too. There is a lot of wasted space between the hull and cockpit walls.

-Shane

Shane,

When U re-panel your bulkheads save yourself some headaches by using the old panels as patterns a few of the edges have slight angles & curves etc that when not observed very closely can create a problem especially in the transom area. plus costly

 Norm,
Bigs Live On

Wayne,

That would be awesome...


Maybe it's the water of the upper bay; but I am along the same views as Jeff when it comes to spending money... Way pay more than you need to???

-Shane

I had rotted interior panels in my project 28'. I unscrewed the old panels and used them for patterns to cut new panels out of cheap 1/4" luan. I soaked the fronts with several coats of marine varnish and painted the backs and edges with oil paint. I got a good match to the original finish. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't. First, the 1980's vintage look is too dark. Second, My approach was a lot of work. I'd like a cut and attach solution. Third, I still got wood and potential rot.

I am right near a company that makes birds eye maple panels. I should have got some of that instead of cheap luan if I wanted to stick with wood.

Trouble is, a lot of the home center non-wood alternatives would make the salon look like a truck stop crapper. We need a richer look. I'll keep my eye on this thread for a better solution because I have not mounted my new panels yet. One problem I still have is the insulation in the cabin walls. It has detached all along the bottom and is hanging in the hold. It is the same kind of stuff you would wrap around a water heater. Fiber glass with a plastic vapor barrier. I hate that stuff on boats. I holds and leaks water!. I have pull a lot of it out of my my other boat, a project 32'. I'm wondering about the newer spray in stuff that expands 10 to 1. How fire resistant is it?

The installation of the new panels is also tricky. I am trying to work out a way to use most of the original screw holes in the aluminum studs.

Lowes has a bubble wrap insulation with foil on both sides. I think 50' roll, should work pretty well, wouldn't soak up water.

Roger

Yooper, no problem we are all friends here.
Redneck wayne

Everyone is welcome, but give the credit to John,we were drinking his beer that day.
Wayne

You're right on the sea stories, That Sorrydog has got some stories to tell. He should wright a book. No problem with the holding tank, us "Rednecks" just hang it over the side.
Redneck Wayne

Cool! It's not the price of the vessel that determines the enjoyment!

Roger

Hardware & Sply Co Of Chester

Fourth And Edgemont
Chester, PA 19013 (610) 876-6116 1.53 Miles

Not that far away.... Joe, do you have pictures of how it turned out in your boat?

Thanks
-Shane