[Public-List] dry rot in forward starboard bulkhead

[Don Lang]

We are at the stage of building bulkheads for our project.
You can see pictures and a description of the method on our Blog
at  http://alberg30.blogspot.com/
Don't worry if you destroy the bulkhead removing it, patterns are very easy to make.
David Pascoe has some very good information on his site regarding bulkhead failures etc.
If you scroll down the first page (of the following link) he discusses bulkheads and continues in his link to part two.  You may want to read this so you can avoid these issues when laying up your bulkhead. http://www.yachtsurvey.com/HullFailPart1.htm

Cheers,   Don #473



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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:43:12 -0400
From: George Dinwiddie <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List] dry rot in forward starboard bulkhead
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
    <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Message-ID: <46C86510.6000903 at alberg30.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

milleype at kingston.net wrote:
> I have detected significant dry rot in the forward starboard bulkhead some
> four to five inches below the chain plate for the forward lower shroud.
> This only became apparent when I removed the shelves from the wet locker
> when refinishing the interior of Ginseng. This dry rot has not yet
> migrated completely through to the vee-berth side of the bulkhead yet
> covers an area of approximately 9X5 inchs along and under the cleat
> supporting a shelf.
> 
> I'm certain that I'm not the first to be faced with this issue and would
> seek counsel on whether to repair the panel or replace the bulkhead
> entirely. If it requires replacing, any tips on removing the bulkhead in
> as few pieces as possible to make a pattern would be welcomed.

I've been waiting for this message to be answered by someone with more 
experience replacing bulkheads than I have.  Since the chainplates are 
dependent on the bulkhead, I would be inclined to replace it completely. 
  The rot here is most likely due to water infiltrating where the 
chainplates pierce the deck.  It's very important to keep these caulked. 
  Pulling out a chainplate and losing the mast could ruin your whole day.

Since I've not replaced a bulkhead, I'm at a loss as to what advice to 
give there.  I would suggest upgrading the bolts to 5/16" at the same 
time, if you've not already done so.  These bolts should also not be 
fully threaded.  The original fully-threaded 1/4" bolts are the weak 
spot in the rigging design.  Most problems have come from either these 
bolts failing, or the bulkhead/knees failing from rot.

  - George

-- 
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   When I remember bygone days                         George Dinwiddie
   I think how evening follows morn;            gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
   So many I loved were not yet dead,           http://www.Alberg30.org
   So many I love were not yet born.
                'The Middle' by Ogden Nash
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