Is a Marinette houseboat still built, and full aluminum house boats?

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Is a Marinette houseboat still built, and full aluminum house boats?

by Kyle
(Atlanta, GA)

Are Marinette houseboats built fully out of aluminum?

We want to buy a Marinette houseboat, and wondering if the Marinettes are a full aluminum house boats, including the superstructure?

I can't seem to find out if they are still being built somewhere?

I know there are many of these older aluminum hulled boats that have a fiberglass upper cabin, roof, and decks.

Now just to find one at a good price, that doesn't need too much work.

Many thanks, Kyle

Reply - Answer
Well Kyle, welcome to the houseboat forums, and congratulations on your decision to buy a Marinette.

There was a point, where my wife and I were also going to buy a Marinette, and like you, found it difficult to find one at a reasonable price without needing too much work.

If you get one, you should be very pleased, as they are a lightweight, well built, fast planing, full sized houseboat.

They remind me of the Holiday Mansion, Chris Craft, Hilburn, Harbor Master, and the many Gibson houseboat models out there, except with an excellent full aluminum hull and superstructure.

Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their aluminum Marinette houseboat stories and experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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Is a Marinette houseboat still built, and full aluminum house boats?

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Aluminum Houseboats - repowered Marinette 34
by: Sean

I purchased a 1967 Marinette 37 houseboat about 18 months ago. It is the 34 hull with a bow sprit and large swim platform. The hull has minor corrosion problems, but it is bulletproof 3/16ths aluminum plate. Nothing some filler won't fix.

I have been on an overseas project and the BP blowout slowed my re-power down so the boat was out of the water for 15 months.

Launched last week with two new Yanmar 110 turbos, new gears, shafts, props and a MASE genset. The boat tops out at 21 knots and cruises at 14 kts at 4 gallons/ hour.

The original aluminum "zincs" are still available and protect the boat perfectly at -1081 mV. It is the perfect boat for my home water in L.A. (Lower Alabama)

Rating

Buying Aluminum Houseboats - neck deep in restoration
by: Anonymous

I bought a used '69 RiverCruiser houseboat, a 34' LOA with a 12' beam. Every square inch is aluminum, the hull is 5052 grade aluminum. Superstructure and bendable or thinner aluminum is extruded aluminum and is of a lesser grade.

The sacrificial anodes on mine corroded away many years ago (unknowns to me when I bought it) thus corrosion ate large holes into the hull. It looked like the surface of the moon after I sandblasted the hull.

Had to cut large sections of hull out and re-weld plates along whole hull, very expensive to hire aluminum welders since it's a specialty. I only discovered all this AFTER I bought the boat and delivered it from Sarasota to my home in Mt. Dora (Lake County, Florida)

The barnacles which were holed up inside the corroded holes were actually plugging the holes and were probably the only thing preventing the boat from sinking! After the patchwork of welds, I epoxied the whole bottom than added 3 coats of aluminum-impregnated moisture cured urethane.

I only wish I would have found this site BEFORE I got into all that mess. Triple check the hull of any houseboat, especially aluminum before buying!

Rating

Aluminum Houseboats - a 34 Marinette house boat
by: Rabbit Hash KY

I live on the Ohio Rive and own a 1967 Marinette 34ft houseboat (River Criuser). Single 318 no generator. These are hard to find and harder to get information on.

A friend of mine owns the same boat and they are only 11 serial numbers apart. He has a generator and it is suprising the differences in the two boat. I would like any information on this boat if someone has it.

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Marinette Houseboats - are they Pluckebaum's?
by: Bob L.

Google Marinette Yachts, the assets were purchased and I believe they will build a boat for you.The new owners name and phone number is there. Marinette is not Pluckebaum, but may be a cousin.

When Pluckebaum was building production boats they would contract out and build boats for other companies. Their production line was bought by Charlie King and became Kings Craft.

Rating

1967 34' Marinette houseboat
by: "Special Treat" (boat name)

Marinette was a great houseboat. Very well built and all aluminum, even the super-structure. Mine is unusual in that it was re-powered with a NEW Volvo 200hp diesel and the dual-prop stern-drive. The company is now called Pluckebaum, they're very expensive but a great boat.

Jerry S.
St Paul, MN

Rating

1959 28' Marinette cruiser owner
by: william wilson

I got my Marinette cruiser on a trade, and was going to make a barge out of it. But when I saw the condtion of the boat and how it was made, there's no way I can cut in to it. It is amazing how well buit it is, the only thing wrong with it, it some paint and some trim fixed. Not a lot.

It still has the original 70hp gray marine engine runs great. Trailer is in fair shape considering age. Only problem cannot find out what it is worth.

Rating

Wanted 1959 era 28 foot Marinette all Family Cruiser
by: Sandy

I am looking for a 1959 era 28 foot Marinette " All Family Cruiser " Prefer an outboard or will convert from inboard. OR Also interested in a, single engine, 34 foot or smaller Marinette houseboat without flybridge.
Great lakes area ( Toronto, Canada )905 584 2941

Rating

My father bought a Marinette
by: Anonymous

My father just bought a 34' Marinette houseboat, and I think it is a 74, it has a brand new interior, twin 307's, beautiful shape, and in the family for 30 plus years, al of this for $8500, fully equipped too! It even came with a paid slip till the end of the year. What do you guys think?

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Marinette Boat
by: Gene

This was rated the #1 boat all the years they made them. From the 1930's and closed in 1990. Was manufactured in Lousiville, Ky. It is all aluminum. The military ordered these boats because of there salt resistance.

No other manufacturer met the standards. I have a Marinette Sedan cruiser 1972 and it is in great shape. Have had many offers to buy it from me but not ready to sell at this time. But will sell eventually when price is right. Not many of this year around any more. A collectors Item.

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Rare Houseboats - only about 100 Marinette boats made
by: mark

There were probably only about 100 Marinette houseboats made. Was a nice one for sale in Cincinnati at the FOUR SEASONS Marina.

I have a 1972 28ft. Express, twin 318s. Smallest cruiser i have ever owned but love it to death. Wouldn't trade for a new plastic boat for anything.

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Is a Marinette houseboat still built, and full aluminum house boats?

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Is a Marinette houseboat still built, and full aluminum house boats?