Flybridge deck/Back deck roof

[oscarvan]

Most of the 53MY's I've seen have the "popcorn" ceiling with no visible structural elements. The photo below was off YW and I copied it for inspiration. It has a structural grid on the ceiling, which is smooth and painted. Is this original Hatteras in certain years? I am assuming it is on top of the laminate and decorative, not structural. Comments? Thanks.

 

[edward]

WOW ! A great upgrade from the popcorn. Looks finished .

 

[Pascal]

Mine has the grid and no popcorn ... debating whether to paint or to add some panels to get a flush look. Either thin starboard or maybe even white Formica. Panels would also allow to add some recessed LEDs

 

[SEVEN]

The popcorn was added to later years. I wish they would have never switched from the smooth.

 

[oscarvan]

Mine has the grid and no popcorn ...

Now is it still a laminate with the grid for pretty? Or is it a single layer of fiberglass with the grid (structural) exposed?

 

[Pascal]

Now is it still a laminate with the grid for pretty? Or is it a single layer of fiberglass with the grid (structural) exposed?

It s the standard Hatteras balsa core laminate. I have to guess the grid is to improve rigidity and I see no aesthetic benefits to it.

 

[Jammin']

Smooth with grid on my 1973 43DC.

 

[43DoubleCabin]

Smooth with grid in my 1979 43DC.

 

[brettportzer]

Smooth with grid, ‘72 43DC!

 

[Jims43DC]

Smooth with grid on my 1980 43 DCFB.

 

[Glory]

I have thought about sanding mine flat, has anyone done this?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

43DC were all smooth. The early 53MY was smooth. Later years had the popcorn texture.

I think it was a member here that had his 48LRC sanded smooth when he did a total repaint. It looked great.

 

[tom5518]

There were three different hardtops used on 53's from what I have seen. The first was the smooth underside which was a carryover from the 50MY. It was used until 71-72ish. The next one had the popcorn ceiling and was used until mid-78 I think, when it got a new hardtop along with the new flybridge. The front brow is slightly different between the later two.

 

[JuiceClark]

Here's an old Dodge Power Wagon for further inspiration.

 

[bigbill]

1972 58yf popcorn

 

[oscarvan]

Here's an old Dodge Power Wagon for further inspiration.

View attachment 49496

I like that a lot..... but I think sanding it smooth os on the list.

 

[Fanfare]

My 50MY, completed in December, 1965, has finished wood panels wrapped in the same headliner as the interior of the boat. My bridge deck appears to be a simple disc of fiberglass rather than having a balsa core, at least in the portions I have drilled a hole in, all of which are on the outside of the cabin.

 

[edward]

I think that this popcorn would be kinda hard to remove, not like the stuff in 1970's homes and apartments.

 

[oscarvan]

I think that this popcorn would be kinda hard to remove, not like the stuff in 1970's homes and apartments.

It's fiberglass. A 60 grit spinning disc will take it down in short order.

 

[edward]

I have been on that end of a grinder, no thanks . How about furring strips with room for electric wire, ,some smooth hi gloss panels ,and use some teak battens for the seams , with holes for recessed LEDs ?