Modifying the inner skin.

[Simon F]

Hello All,

I have the less popular fin keel version of the Beneteau First 24, and in the middle of the saloon, the dining table seems to be built around the same grp inner moulding that houses the keel box in the swing keel version. (see pic) I never actually use the table and would enjoy the extra legroom I’d gain by removing it, and as far as I can see, there’s no reason it has to be there except to hold the table up. It’s an open topped box that forms part of the inner floor of the boat and you can see down into the bilge and the keel bolts when you remove the table top. Would getting it removed weaken the hull? If so, could something be done to compensate? Fibreglassing over the removed section to give a flat floor for example? If it’s a big project I’ll probably live with it, but it seems likely the box is just a vestige that the manufacturer saw no need to omit from the small number of fin keeled versions of the model, but before taking this thought any further I want to invite the counsel of experience.

 

[Boathook]

I would think that removing the box will allow the inner moulding to flex. Whether it would weaken the hull depends on how the inner is fitted and held in to the hull. A good to start is to understand how the inner is fitted by looking in lockers, etc.
If in doubt treat the inner as structural.

 

[jwilson]

The GRP structure looks very (well) "structural" - part of the strength of the hull.

 

[Neeves]

Also before you chop up the innards to suit your needs, requirements - what will removing the table (and box) do for the resale value of the yacht. I don't know the yacht, at all, but the table and its box support do provide something to brace against on a frisky passage and tables, for most of us, provide something to sit round for dinner when at anchor.

Jonathan

Simon,

Our first yacht was a J24 which we raced, with a total lack of success. But we also 'cruised' her, we were younger (obviously) but it was part of the learning curve. Later we raced an X-99 with some success and she had a removable table, the table had a box that fitted over a stainless 'U' shape bolted (I don't recall how). We also cruised the X-99, much less like camping than the J24 (the X99 had a real toilet and a decent stove) but it was the next step in the learning curve. But we loved it, cruising (and I loved the racing) and now we just cruise. But the table was part of the necessary equipment, somewhere to stand the bottle of wine and wine glasses - I'd done the camping (tents, DofE etc) and wanted something a bit more salubrious (we now have hot showers - the ultimate in comfort ).

J

 

[Simon F]

Also before you chop up the innards to suit your needs, requirements - what will removing the table (and box) do for the resale value of the yacht. I don't know the yacht, at all, but the table and its box support do provide something to brace against on a frisky passage and tables, for most of us, provide something to sit round for dinner when at anchor.

Jonathan

Simon,

Our first yacht was a J24 which we raced, with a total lack of success. But we also 'cruised' her, we were younger (obviously) but it was part of the learning curve. Later we raced an X-99 with some success and she had a removable table, the table had a box that fitted over a stainless 'U' shape bolted (I don't recall how). We also cruised the X-99, much less like camping than the J24 (the X99 had a real toilet and a decent stove) but it was the next step in the learning curve. But we loved it, cruising (and I loved the racing) and now we just cruise. But the table was part of the necessary equipment, somewhere to stand the bottle of wine and wine glasses - I'd done the camping (tents, DofE etc) and wanted something a bit more salubrious (we now have hot showers - the ultimate in comfort ).

J

I hear you mate, but having a fixed table in a tiny fin keeled yacht makes no sense whether racing or cruising; it's just in the way. There are spaces behind the sofas to stand the bottle of plonk if needed, but it's too small of a boat to host dinner in anyway. Given that the boat has no mast compression post it seems a waste to obstruct the route to the vee berth and the leg room it would have without it, by building in a permanent, structurally critical fibreglass table when a foldaway one could have been contrived instead. It's just poor design in my view. I doubt removing it it would affect the resale much because it would be simple for a subsequent owner to fit a table that screws into the floor. I think it probably does add strength, but I suspect that that strength could have been designed in easily enough if the fin keel model was the only model, but doing another inner skin design for the small number of fin keelers made wasn't deemed justifiable.