"Raybelle" colored linoleum

ShearerLaw · Post by **ShearerLaw** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:03 am

Just got my hull card from Mariner's Museum for my 1958 23' Continental. Lists linoleum color as "Raybelle". This was a modification from the standard green apple color for this series beginning with 1957 model. Anybody have a freakin clue what color "Raybelle" is??? Thanks in advance.

Scott

mattwells · Post by **mattwells** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:33 pm

I have never heard of Raybelle, but I am in a similar situation with my '57 Capri that was shipped with 'Decoray' linoleum. No one has been able to tell me what it is or looks like.

First thing to do would be to contact everyone who has your model and year boat. Go through the ACBS directory and make a list.

I did that and still came up with nothing, but you could get lucky.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Brian Robinson · Post by **Brian Robinson** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:40 pm

Scott,

Are you sure it does not say Royelle?

Chad Durren · Post by **Chad Durren** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:28 pm

This clipping is from a 1952 Oswego Valley, NY Newspaper

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:48 pm

WOW Scott!! If you read the ad it is "The practical Christmas gift for her"
Just in time!!

ShearerLaw · Post by **ShearerLaw** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:59 pm

It definitely says "Raybelle". Thanks so much for the info. I wonder what color it was? I guess back in 1952 you could give a girl linoleum for a Christmas gift. Today, I think If I did that I'd be out of a date for New Years!

Chad Durren · Post by **Chad Durren** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:04 pm

I can't remember where - but I know I have seen this flooring pattern in a boat before. I'm still diggin' around...

Perhaps the "ray" in decoray is a reference to raybelle?

woodenrunabout · Post by **woodenrunabout** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:36 pm

We have a 1957 23' Continental in our shop right now that had some remnants of the Raybelle linoleum. We will be looking for a match in the coming months as well. The striped pattern is identical to that shown in Chad's ad.

mattwells · Post by **mattwells** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:37 pm

I'm sure they're closely related.

Interestingly enough, last time I was researching this, someone sent me a similar newspaper clipping, advertising tile made by Armstrong that mentions Decoray. There is no photo however.

I actually contacted the public relations people at Armstrong about my quest (I went so far as to tell them I was writing a story about it). Alas, I never heard back from them - not sure if they have archives on this stuff. Would be great if they did.

The only possibility I found for what Decoray could be is the second photo - black and white unfortunately. It looks like almost a bowling ball pattern.

Bill Basler · Post by **Bill Basler** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:38 am

Raybelle was a striped linoleum pattern, offered in various colors. You could get it in rolls or tiles. Chad's ad is right on the money. Does it indicate a Raybelle color on your card? I know they offered it in pink. Let's hope you don't have that.

Here's another look. The striped pattern in the first ad is Raybelle, the speckled is cork.

Bill Basler · Post by **Bill Basler** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:50 am

Matt, try:

Sibco New Hampshire Inc
164 Portsmouth Ave
Stratham, NH 03885-2225
(603) 778-7493‎

Very outside chance, but they listed Decoray specifically in their product line card. They do not appear to have a web site....just mention of them on other sites. Maybe this is a flooring retailer who happens to have some old stock.

mattwells · Post by **mattwells** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:44 am

Thanks, Bill! Will let you know what I find.

ShearerLaw · Post by **ShearerLaw** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:30 am

Next to color on hull card it just says Raybelle. No mention of a specific color. Weird. Haven't found any remnants left in boat so far. God I hope it isn't pink.

mattwells · Post by **mattwells** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:21 pm

Bill Basler wrote:

This looks like a darker version of what's in woodenrunabout's photo.

woodenrunabout · Post by **woodenrunabout** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:39 pm

The Raybelle linoleum in the boat shown in our photo has most likely faded with age and exposure. I would bet that it was originally a darker shade as shown in the ad, although it is difficult to sort out true colors from photographs.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:41 pm

Raybelle is a brand name. Named after the french designer. Ray Belle, Really... He loved stripes and pastel colors like lime green and pink. He is known to have spent countless hours talking to his mother about this on the phone. Their telephone bills were so high that they literally caused the phone company stock to go up. She earned the nick name. MA Belle... Really! As time went on, he got in the boat flooring business. Rays ego was huge and decided that all the colors that his floor came in would be named Raybelle. With one exception. Blue belle. That's because his daughter. Lulu...belle loved that color. He did have a son, Rays son loved working in the garage on small things.... But unfortunately for his son his days as a tinker had to come to an end..... I hope this helps....really!

Reginald Down · Post by **Reginald Down** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:11 pm

Now I'm confused... Is that the same family that started the "Belle Boy" line of boats in the late 50's. The head of the company shortened the name to "Bell Boy" because he had a complex about his large waist line.

Sorry Bill, It's Friday the 13th.

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:47 am

I'll have one of whatever Matt's drinking!!

Al Benton · Post by **Al Benton** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:34 pm

Hey, that BellBoy with built-in Spray Knockers is a real plus. That Mr Ray Belle must have thought of everything a gentleman would be looking for.

Al

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:31 pm

Its the Denatured alcohol talking... I have been refreshing my boat...

mcisaac inc · Post by **mcisaac inc** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:45 am

Matt you would make a great Ciff Claven.....................Cheers...........mark

Chad Durren · Post by **Chad Durren** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:15 am

This is the pic I was looking for! It's a 1958 21'Continental. Original interior, floor, finish, 150 original hours, stored for years, blah blah blah...

Looks "Raybelly" to me.

Located in MN at mahoganybay.net

Chad Durren · Post by **Chad Durren** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:33 am

You wanna know what's really weird?

My grandpa's name was Ray and he used to sit at the kitchen table and smoke cigs. The flooring looks like his table top and the seats look just like a pack of Marlboro reds.

Hell, I might buy the boat just so I can recreate my grandparents kitchen. I can park it the garage and hang my gram's big wooden fork and spoon on the wall. The smell of nicotine and musty bilge might conjure up his ghost. There's a beer holder in the dash for each of us.

All is perfect... except he drank Red, White & Blue.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:24 am

Tinker....is that you?

Stovebolt · Post by **Stovebolt** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:50 pm

Wow That stuff is rad! My house is built in 60. I'd love to do the floors in that stuff! Especially in the dark green that Bill posted earlier.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:57 pm

While you are at it, try http://secondhandrose.com/ its an amazing resource for wall paper. to complete the look. We have used them when doing period film scenes.

Stovebolt · Post by **Stovebolt** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:09 pm

Matt Smith wrote:While you are at it, try http://secondhandrose.com/ its an amazing resource for wall paper. to complete the look. We have used them when doing period film scenes.

I am so STOKED I joined this message board!!

Thanks for the info, and sorry to hijack your thread.

Now back to our regularily scheduled programming.

James · Post by **James** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:57 pm

I need some of the same stuff in green tones....are there enough interested people here to order up a roll/rolls if we can find someone to recreate it? I'm already having some upholstery recreated from scratch for a project, maybe the same guy would tackle Raybelle if there was a bit of a market......any takers? Matt Wells? others?

Tritone

Bill Basler · Post by **Bill Basler** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:17 pm

In following the Mecum/Scott Ales/Riva auction reported in the "Riva Connection" of Boat Buzz, I saw a photo that piqued my interest.

I know that this is not likely and Armstrong material as I believe it comes from a European supplier. Nor is it Raybelle....or at least I do not think it is.

However, I still looked with interest at the 1966 Riva Aquarama. It has a very similar flooring to the Raybelle. It has a similar enlarged "fibery strand" pattern. I don't know how else to describe it.

Can any Riva-heads share some light on this product?

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 12:44 pm

It's Raybella! Reybelle's Italian sister...Watch out, her brother, Raybelo, is very protective.

"Raybelle" colored linoleum

"Raybelle" colored linoleum

Raybelle linoleum

Raybelle color

Resurrecting a 'dead horse'.....Raybelle / Decoray

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