Well after reading this site for a couple of months, and carefully pulling as much info as I could, I bought a 75, 32 fb express from a widow in Caseville MI last week. It had been on the hard for a bit over 5 years and needs some attention, but you could tell 'pride in ownership' was a facter on it. I had it surveyed, (thanks Joel) and the surveyor said it looked good except for some small issues, probably the most important to repair was automotive style fuel pumps, new anodes (old ones are flaking), double up hose clamps, and various electrical issues I really wasn't too concerned about ( I'm an electrician) and paid the lady her cash. Last week took her around the top of the mitt on her shakedown trip to Charlevoix MI. Our first leg started at about 8:30 AM Tuesday and headed North, about 80 miles up (and numerous checks under the floor) the engine faultered (the temperature had snuck up to about 175 and I believe it vapour locked) I slowed the boat down to a crawl and looked again below deck. The 'slight leak' in the fresh water supply had almost over powered the bilge pump and as I contemplated shutting that engine down and running on one engine about 15 or so miles to Alpena, the pump took out the water so well that I thought I would try a run for the Marina in that city, and the temperature had fallen back to 160. I got there about noon (aprox. 100 miles) and a young man came up to the pump and asked how we were doing and I told him of the problem and he, as it turned out, was the mechanic there, and had the time to help out. He took apart the strainer and the mesh you could not see thru a single hole (temp issue?) We put it back together and he noticed it was not tight, the strainer assembly, when fully tightened down. He proceeded to go get a die and chase the threads ( could I have done this while out in the lake?) reassembled, and it still had a very small leak 2 or 3 drops a minute coming from the bottom, at which time he asked me if I wanted it taken apart again and check the bottom gaskets and I said I would check it when I got back in to my port. we filled up with gas, about 80 gallons, and were on our way north around 2 pm, after running 7 miles south around the penninsula and another few miles East around a couple of Islands, till we had a chance to go North again. Once going, and after numerous checks, I started feeling better about my decision and the leak stayed minimal. About Rogers city, this last week was in the 80's on land and about 57 on water, the wind picked up, and we started getting pitched about (in a following sea) till we reached Cheboygan at about 6:30. We docked and had a nice dinner, gassed up the following morning (another 80 gallons) and at about 8 AM were on our way, on the final leg, under the Macinaw Bridge and to Charlevoix! The last part of the journey went great in a glass calm sea, except for having to swing way west of Wilderness Campground because of a shoal, and a few more shoals later, we were on our last 20 or so miles into Lake Charlevoix. We gassed up again (55 gallons) and did the last 5 or so miles on the Flybrige for the first time because of the cold on the main lake, but once we were inland it was near 90 now! Amazing, now I see why you guys are so nuts about these boats, to take a boat, on the hard for 5 years, and have except for one small ($40 to repair) issue is amazing. If that boat has half as much guts as I think it has, I think this could be the start of a long relationship. Thanks for passing the knowledge on you guys, I'll keep reading, and as I get some of my own will try to pass it on.
Jack

GOod going! congrats.
"...we started getting pitched about in a following sea.." That's quite normal for a Marinette. That's when you will work hardest, trying to keep that rear end from wiggling like a belly dancer.
Enjoy (the boat, that is).

Sure you can thank me enough...send me a new heat exchanger. Seriously, you did all the right things culminating in a great new hobby that will bleed your bank account so fast you'll think you were swarmed by a flock of hookers in Vegas. But you'll have a great smile as you go broke.

I didn't tell you guys, as I was cleaning the boat out, a nice young lady stopped by in a sea ray and said is this the 'Big Enough II?' (I had an inflatable blocking the name) and I said yes, it was. Turns out that young lass grew up on that boat, now all I have to find out is who the original owner was and why he rigged it for salmon fishing and only hung onto it for 2 years or so. The ex-owner gave me documentation dating back to her parents and no further. The boat was originally from Charlevoix. Norm, I'll give that a try next time I'm in a follower. Jack

Always impresses me that Marinette made very few changes to the boat over the years. That helped keep costs down and explains why we like to call it a "classic". Your '75, Jack, has many similarities to my '88. A thought...consider removing that carpeting in the cockpit (rear deck). Though it is handsome, it will trap moisture and hasten demise of the deck.

Quite the adventure! (I noted that the video and add called it a "Sedan Bridge" where it's an Express. I know; picky, picky.) Boat looks really nice, too.

That stock strainer lid gasket is a real dog to get sealed properly and, if it leaks air, the motor will overheat. I've gone to a 3/16 " OD homemade O-ring to replace it that works a 100 % better.

Jeff

Joel, I am allready thinking a composite, carpet gets wet and stays wet, the edges on the rear hatch is showing the first signs of rotting, so that is going on the 'to do' list. Thanks Jeff, I'll try that! Funny thing is that leak is almost gone now....probably come back when I least want it to tho. Jack