Replacing bulkheads

[scruff]

I have seen a boat for sale which ticks many boxes in what I am looking for in a boat which is also well equiped. The only potential downside is that the main bulkheads may need replacing.

I have seen a few websites who proclaim that if your able to remove the existing ones in one piece to make a template from, then the replacement is not THAT difficult.

What does the bank of knowledge here think. Is this a case of walk away or could it prove to be manageable over a couple of weekends.

Like I say, the boat ticks alot of boxes on paper but this niggle, albeit potentially large niggle is looming heavy.

 

[rhumlady]

This is a bit of a minefield. Is the inboard end of the Bulkhead tied into the mast compression post? How is it attached to the boat ie glassed in or into a groove in an inner moulding? what is attached to it on both sides? The list can be quite long. Removing it from the boat without cutting it up may be impossible in which case you will not get the new one in in one piece. I would be surprised if you could do it in a couple of weekends. Why does it need replacing? Can it not be just repaired in situ? The mess made when removing it would be enough to put a lot of people off.

 

[retsina]

What is wrong with the bulkhead; much easier to repair in situ. I pressume is ply. You need to give more info, size, location, supports etc.

 

[30boat]

Assuming you actually need to replace the bulkhead,it's very doable.Make sure there is no load on it before you remove the old one.Then cut the fiberglass tabbing around it with a sharp chisel and heavy mallet.If it doesn't come out in one piece make marks that will allow you to reconstruct the shape on to the new sheet of plywood you're going to cut the new one from.It is possible that it won't go back in one piece due to the way the boat was built so if this is the case, you'll have to make it in two or more parts that should be glued together once in position.My preferred method is a strip of glass fiber with epoxy set in a recess along the jointing edge. The bulkhead should ideally be set on a bed of sealant (sikaflex is fine) to avoid hard spots on the hull.However many well known builders just leave a gap all around and tuck the fiberglass in.This gives a measure of flexibility wich is satisfactory.

 

[scruff]

unfortunately I do not have the answers to many of the questions, for I have not seen the boat as yet. I will be going to view the boat this weekend however.

What I can say is that the boatis 25ft folkboat deritive.

i have seen pictures of another boat of the same type which shows a compression post which I would assume to take the main force from the mast and rigging.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
Assuming you actually need to replace the bulkhead,it's very doable.Make sure there is no load on it before you remove the old one.Then cut the fiberglass tabbing around it with a sharp chisel and heavy mallet.

[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Would love to see you try that on a Sadler 34. You would have two chances - the first one is NONE and the second is SFA. - Remember, not all boats are built equal..
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[Tranona]

The first question to ask is why the bulkhead needs replacing. Damage or rot?

As to repair, on the sort of boat you are looking at I would see two major issues. First the bulkhead would most likely have been put in before the lid was put on. The thought of working in the confined space, cutting out an old bulkhead and glassing in a new one is not a pleasant one. Then the boat is not worth a lot of money, so unless it is really cheap, not worth paying somebody to do it, and probably better to spend your time and money on a boat that does not have such a major fault.

 

[30boat]

I could ,if I wanted to,cut a sadler 34 in two and then put it back together with the keel on top of the coachroof.Not all boats are built equal and the Sadler with it's double hull is different from some.I was giving advice supposing a standard built boat.A Sadler would be just as easy,only different.