Softwood

[scott5030]

Hi

I have a 38ft Ketch and was wondering if I could use 2"x4" softwood beams (as used in house lofts) over the engine bay? I don't know if it's clear in the photos but IMG 2 shows the beams that need to be replaced marked with an X and IMG 1 shows how the beam will be placed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Wansworth]

Good quality Douglas fir or similar slowgrown soft wood treated should be ok it’s probably used extensively. Boats built in British Columbia

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Scott.
Re the first photo - what happened there? Did you have a fire onboard? or have you just been stripping everything out, and it all fell down into the engine space and on the engine?
Re the second photo - what is the span of the beams? I am guessing about 11', maybe 12'?
If so, and you are going to install furniture and other things on the deck supported by the beams, and there will be people walking / stomping about on this deck as well, then you might want to increase the depth of the beams.
Can you post some more photos of the boat please?