Overhaul... structural question

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:56 pm

I've noted that the three bulkheads are not held in place by fiberglass, only a few screws and bolts. Can they be removed to facilitate other work with out undo concern? Should I stay off the top deck until they are reinstaled, or is a better game plan not to remove more than one at any given time?

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26 1980

sailbob2 · Post by **sailbob2** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:38 pm

When I did CRYSTA's refit I made new bulkheads from oak plywood didn't have any problems structurally but had a lot of fun putting the new ones back in. I think everything sagged just a bit. As the new bulkheads were direct copies of the old ones everything is back to normal. I have noticed that the boat changes shape between being in or out of the water. In the water the hull tends to elongate downward, out of the water it tends to compress. This is really noticable on CRYSTA at the bridge deck (I have removable steps) While on the trailer I had put two 2x4s under the bridge deck (due to the strength lost from the ladder being removable) they were a very tight fit (had to pound them into place). After the boat was in the water for a time the 2x4 were very loose (by about 1/4")

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:13 pm

Yup, I noticed a little shape changing waiting for the tide to come back in when I was run aground.

sailbob2 · Post by **sailbob2** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:02 pm

To me this makes "CRYSTA" a living breathing thing I see no structural issues with the flexing. In fact as I posted a while back. My sailmaker used to work for Chrysler Boats Div. and he told me one day they took an unfinished hull out to the parking area and rolled it around to see if they could get the keel to bust off (let the keel flop in and out) - no luck. I believe these boats are built to last and as the other Bob pointed out to me "Some things are designed as weak points (mast finger for ex.) to prevent a catastropic failure.

Chrysler20%26 · Post by **Chrysler20%26** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:20 pm

I have not been up in the boat, do to ice & snow & very cold temp. But I think my forword most bulkhead, has been moved forword 4". Giving me a wider head. This would acount for the 4" gap in the door. ( Left to Right )

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:58 am

Now there's an idea. We do not use the vberth for anything but storage so I wouldn't miss a bit of the port side of the vberth, and I'd rather have room in the head for a lav or such. Wonder how much room there is between the forward head bulkhead and the forehatch....

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 6:56 am

I am in with EE.... what an idea!... the head is a joke,,, it is really barely big enough for a wet locker..

the port hull is curving quite a bit there and the pan/liner has a platform for the port v-berth and IFIRC there is a step somewhere there... so it would be tricky to the head really needs that space and if you put a spacer panel in the hinge side of the head door, everything should line up I would think...

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:37 am

You can count this one as on my list for the winter. I'll do the pics thing.

I haven't updated EE's site in forever, and the salon and stern berth is pretty much done, so that's on my list as well..

NYCSAILOR · Post by **NYCSAILOR** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:10 am

When I get to the boat, I will take a look and see what is involved... If it is an easy simple .. move the wall over 5 inches and refasten, put spacer to cover the door gap...... then it will happen this winter... if not... who knows when it will get done..

I love the EE site and I will be using it much to redo my soft cabin sole and bilge cover

Bhacurly · Post by **Bhacurly** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:55 pm

Now this is what I like about forums...

I have gutted my Catalina 27, and we haven't yet decided how to redo the interior. We, ok I, am thinking I'd like a bigger v-birth for comfy sleeps.. and to do that would take out that forward bulkhead, replace it with an arch, maybe, lose the port side useless closet,,, bla bla bla...

Ideas are floating around the forums!! I see picts and ideas and go hmmmmm....

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:58 pm

Well I would have sworn there was a few inches between that forward head bulkhead and the rear of the forehatch opening, but no, it os right there. So making a bit more room this way doesn't seem practical.

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:37 pm

In the 26 the head is so small you have to come out to change your mind.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:50 pm

lecker68 wrote:In the 26 the head is so small you have to come out to change your mind.

<lol>

Chrysler Sailors Forum

Overhaul... structural question

Overhaul... structural question

Bulkhead