[Public-list] HELP! Bulkhead Problem

Tue Jun 20 23:19:05 PDT 2006

Pete,
I had a similar problem last year with the port bulkhead and had to decide 
between an inplace repair or replacement. I decided to replace and am very 
glad I did. I did the repair with the boat in the water and a jack under the 
deck beam to take the load although I don't think it did much. I used a 
halyard to the lower chainplates to allow the upper to be released and the 
chainplate removed. The old bulkhead unbolted and came out fairly easily. I 
used it as a template for a new one cut from marine ply, epoxied the edges 
and hidden surfaces and installed it in the boat. I was worried that it 
wouldn't go in in one piece but found that it would pivot around the top 
inboard corner and slide into place without to much effort. The starboard 
bulhead is somewhat narrower and shouldn't be a concern.

All together I think replacing took less time than an inplace repair would 
have and it will last another 35 years if I keep it dry.

Philip

Windard #428

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JohnI" <a30blueteal at gmail.com>
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] HELP! Bulkhead Problem

> Pete,
>
> With that much rot, I'd replace the bulkhead. If you are seriously 
> thinking
> about a series of short term fixes for each soft spot you find then 
> consider
> having it surveyed and get a professional opinion based on the actual
> condition of the boat.
>
> I would use marine plywood for the new bulkhead and epoxy resin which has
> better secondary bonding characteristics, is stronger, and is less prone 
> to
> delamination. I would saturate the new bulkhead in epoxy. Don't let the
> extra cost of the epoxy put you off. People encapsulate entire boats in 
> it.
> They pay the extra cost over other resins for good reason.
>
> Good luck.
>
> John
>
> On 5/30/06, Peter Staehling <staehpj1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Mike,
>>
>> That means dropping the mast which probably means
>> hauling the boat, right?  Since I have an "iffy"
>> shoulder and only my wife to assist, that probly means
>> having to pay the marina to drop the mast and also
>> losing the best part of the Summer.
>>
>> How much would you want for the plywood?
>>
>> The rot behind the chainplate is a very limited area
>> (about 2"x7").  I ground it out to solid wood and I am
>> probably going to repair it at least for the short
>> term.  I think that the chain plate can pretty easily
>> be as strong as original or better after filling the
>> hole and adding doublers (ply, plate or glass).
>>
>> I am a little more concerned about the fact that there
>> are two other areas with rot, but think they could
>> probably stand the same treatment.  On the plus
>> side... The areas of rot seem to have clearly defined
>> edges and they are narrow areas with the rest of the
>> bulkhead seeming as solid as new.  Except for one
>> plate in the v-berth, the repairs would also be in
>> areas that only show only inside the locker, so
>> cosmetically it isn't much of an issue.
>>
>> I really don't want to go to the expense or have the
>> boat out of the water for the repair right now.  I
>> think that after some patching, it should be able to
>> wait until the next time it is on the hard.  Am I
>> kidding myself?
>>
>> Pete
>>
>> --- Mike Lehman <sail_505 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Pete,
>> >
>> > You need to replace that bulkhead. Call me....we
>> > have some 3/4"' teak
>> > plywood that is perfect for the job. Harry Gamber
>> > #484 had a similar
>> > incident a few weeks ago and her is all fixed and
>> > back on the race course.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Mike Lehman
>> > ~~~_/)_/)~~_/)~~~
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ----Original Message Follows----
>> > From: Peter Staehling <staehpj1 at yahoo.com>
>> > Reply-To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
>> > <public-list at alberg30.org>
>> > To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
>> > <public-list at alberg30.org>
>> > Subject: [Public-list] HELP! Bulkhead Problem
>> > Date: Sun, 28 May 2006 07:56:07 -0700 (PDT)
>> >
>> > We had a near dismasting yesterday.  The chain plate
>> > for the starboard upper pulled most of the way out
>> > while close hauled.  We quickly rounded up rolled up
>> > the jib and dropped the main.
>> >
>> > We hooked the main halyard to the car on the
>> > starboard
>> > chain plate to hold the mast up.
>> >
>> > Today upon inspection I find that starboard foreward
>> > bulkhead has been rotted away where the chain plate
>> > attaches.
>> >
>> > There is still a little solid plywood next to it on
>> > the side by the hull, So I am hoping that I can
>> > dig/grind out all the rot and fill the void with a
>> > piece of wood and some epoxy and microballons or
>> > some
>> > other filler.
>> >
>> > I hope that if I do that and add doublers on both
>> > sides  (aluminum plate? plywood?) it will be strong
>> > enough.
>> >
>> > There is also other rot.
>> >
>> > Between the upper and lower shelf in the closet it
>> > is
>> > soft against the curve of the hull may be 1-2" wide
>> > of
>> > an area.
>> >
>> > The area where the lower shelf contacts is all soft
>> > as
>> > well.
>> >
>> > It looks like some of this has been rotton for a
>> > long
>> > time.  Some of it had been filled with expandable
>> > foam.  It looks like a old "repair".
>> >
>> > The curve where the lower part of the bulkhead meets
>> > the curve of the bottom is suspect because I see
>> > foam
>> > there too, but it sounds solid when I tap it.
>> >
>> > I wonder if I can get it fixed well enough to keep
>> > sailing at least for the season by removing the soft
>> > areas and reinforcing them or if more drastic
>> > measures
>> > are required.
>> >
>> > I can imagine dropping the mast and taking out the
>> > bulkhead, but really hope I don't have to do that
>> > now!
>> >
>> > I am suprised that it held at all, but we have had
>> > the
>> > rail in the water before without incident.
>> >
>> > Please advise.  I will provide more info and maybe
>> > pictures if needed.
>> >
>> > Pete
>> > #554
>>
>>
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