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Cabin aft bulkhead

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:25 am
by amytom
We have one of the older style 32's; one change I noticed is it appears the newer models have a removable aft bulkhead giving access to the steering compartments.
I've considered adding removable book shelves (okay really a phone/tablet charging station with a spot to put the beer down). That would greatly increase the access to the quadrants without contorting through the lazarette.
Are there any structural or other concerns that I might be missing? The shelves would be made in a similar fashion as the rest of the cabinetry and would add minimal weight compared to the FRP removed to install them.

Thoughts?

Re: Cabin aft bulkhead

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 11:51 am
by thinwater
Just curious; what's the reason? I've been back there very few times:
* every 2-3 years for lube.
* once when I bent a rudder to take the cross arm off (easy BTW).

I find the trick is to take a few extra minutes and collect a bunch of towels to pad everything. Then it's not bad.

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But I can't think of anything wrong with the plan. I would make certain the corners were well rounded and I would add a few layers of 17 oz. triax alternating with uni to the backside just to be 100% certain. Depends on the size of the hole (you want to add back about what you removed--that is how reinforcing plates on oil tanks are calculated). It would be neat to do that before the hole was cut, but I think I would do it afterwords and then trim.

Re: Cabin aft bulkhead

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:30 pm
by amytom
The idea originated with wanting a shelf to put phones and tablets on to watch a bedtime movie. Then when I looked into what was behind there I started liking the idea of never having to climb through the lazarette again. I may be getting too old for that.

Of course this is just another idea to add to the list of stuff to get to. Along with: stern extensions, keel extensions, proper vent filter, etc...

Re: Cabin aft bulkhead

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:32 pm
by amytom
For the backside reinforcement, just at the corners or the entire cutout?

Re: Cabin aft bulkhead

Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 11:20 pm
by thinwater
The best reason to do the entire perimeter is to aid with adhesion, but it is also to help distribute the load. I'd go about 4" beyond the opening with maybe 3 tapered layers, and at least a 1" radius on the corners. Typically a 6" radius is required on reinforcement plates for openings, and 1 + 4 = 5 is about that. Remember to sand first--no bond, no point, and there is probably paint and mold on the backside. It's all got to go.

It would really suck to start a crack a few years down the road.