Hi, folks,
My 1981 Mark 1 has full bulkheads between quarterberths and vberth. Solid, as in, they work, but they close off the space and I would like a more open feel. Mine have lamps and hooks toward the top.
I have heard that a person can remove these, replace with a stainless rod on each side of the opening, thus making it look more open. However, that would imply I lose the hooks and lamps.
Can you guys post pictures of any cut down bulkheads, or maybe updated factory versions? I feel like I would at the very least like to cut big damn open windows into my bulkheads, but maybe I would change the lamps and hooks and just get rid of the bulkheads altogether.
Thanks!
You might look at an interior photo of a Precision 23 to see how it is configured. Basically they have glassed in a beam across the inside of the coach roof, I'm sure cored with wood, probably marine ply laminated, then tie it into the hull sides with short panels. Makes for a nice open forward cabin. You are trying to spread the load from the mast and I like how they do that.
The current version Com-Pac 23/IV has a cut out bulkhead which can be seen in the C23/IV photo gallery on their web site. Looks like the current version is a compromise of privacy/open feeling a still provides enough surface for light/hooks, etc. Hope this helps.
Brackish: I actually had a P 21 with that type of compression spreader. Mine had cracked before I bought it, and the PO had fixed it, but there was a bit of sag that I really didn't care for. I am a bit leery of making one.
Jeff: thanks; I took a look. I think I would like more taken out; also, it looks like they have a header up high across the middle which I would not want. On the other hand, I think I could cut a hole in each side that might go nearer the center, higher close to the current light & hook, and down lower to give a bit more openness.
One good thing: I have other things to finish first, so who knows if I will still want to do this.
Just a thought, do you use the bulkhead to lean against while sitting? Don't cut too low to loose that function. On my cat 22 the dinette seat backs were just a few inches too low for comfort... here was no place to sit where you could lean back in comfort...best of luck.
Quote from: mattman on March 12, 2017, 09:44:12 PM
Just a thought, do you use the bulkhead to lean against while sitting? Don't cut too low to loose that function. On my cat 22 the dinette seat backs were just a few inches too low for comfort... here was no place to sit where you could lean back in comfort...best of luck.
That's an excellent observation. I need to cut just above where my pillow leans. Might need to see about the same issue from Vberth side also. Something I thought of was to cut out a window, but put a frame in so I could fill it if I wanted to. I'll have to think it out again, as Fagin said.
Keep in mind, mates that this is a structural member who's job is to transfer load from the mast to the keel. While we aren't talking about large numbers here, the bulkhead is there for a reason.
A few years ago I began day dreaming about a C-shaped structural beam that would still allow the loads to be sent to the keep while leaving one entire side of the boat completely open. Although I know it would work, I didn't pursue it as I'm not ready to completely reconfigure the interior.
Mine is a Mark2 and the bulkheads are not as restrictive looking as the Mark 1. Interesting thread, here and I'm curious to see where it's going.
Bob23
Comrade Bob speak truth. Even on my smaller 19, the downward forces from the mast were sufficient to bend the two 3/8" bolts that attach the compression post to the bulkhead. I replaced them with grade 8 rated bolts but not before noting that there is some serious force at work here. Be cautious!
Wes
Caution duly noted, Bob & Wes.
I actually brought up this topic with Keith Scott. He is the one who suggested a 1" stainless pole. He was thinking it would be a good pull up rod for when you are getting up from the bed. I asked him about 2: one on each side of the opening, and he thought that would be cool too.
It wasn't until I got to the boat that I remembered the lights & hooks. This got me thinking more about cutting windows in, which is why I asked about how much was open in the later models. Got a good view from the Hutchins site as suggested above.
I'd really like a compression arch or something out of the way, but not made by me, haha.
Keith's suggestion is to get a 2 x 4 on top of a bottle jack, raise the roof a tad, unscrew the bulkheads from the seats, and take them out. Do this when I have the stainless poles ready, one side at a time. He wasn't worried about spreading the load on the rim of the tube like I was, rather just make sure the cut is flat.
This is something I would like to be able to say presto-change-o and have it already done, haha. I will have to sidle up to this task, if I ever actually do it.
i have to say that i would leave the bulkheads in. think structure. its like the commercial where the contractor says " we can take out the wall to open up the kitchen----never mind that it is load bearing.
Fine that you wouldn't. Mr. Kicking; the Hutchins company eventually reduced the bulkhead also. As posited in the original post, I am not trying to have zero support, just different support.
My choices are:
a. reduce the current bulkhead by cutting out windows
b. take them out and put replacement support in, as mentioned in a prior post with input from a very respected boat dealer.
c. leave it alone.
Not really sure why you put your oar in.