1972 Pearson P30 port main bulkhead replacement

[fred1diver]

Hello everyone, we are planning for the fall-spring work to be done on our boat, we absolutely need to replace this bulkhead, has anyone done it on these boats? I am concerned because of the compression post, not really sure how it is held on the bulkhead, screwed on obviously but I cannot see any screws or bungs.
I do not wish to have to replace the post as well, so before doing anything I would like to have more information.
Thank you all in advance

 

[Stu Jackson]

In addition to this fine forum, have you attempted to identify and contact any Pearson=specific forums or email lists? The reason is that there would be more boat-specific skippers who know about Pearson construction techniques than you would find here. There are a lot of Pearson owners on cruisersforum, too.
In general, it would be rare, if not inconceivable that a compression post would be attached to a bulkhead as you suggest. I recommend you look for bungs that cover screws n the bulkhead before you assume they can't be separated.

 

[dlochner]

Photos would help.

 

[rgranger]

I don't know if this helps but it might lead to an adaptation that helps. I have not replaced a bulkhead on a pearson but I have gutted and rebuilt a Coronado 23. A challenge I had to overcome was the fact that the original bulkhead was dropped into a slot with the deck removed. I did not want to have to remove the deck so I had to build the bulkhead in two parts, place it in the slot and then scab it with a solid piece of 1/2" plywood from the back. I then "hid" the scar in the main salon with peel and stick carpet tiles. In hind sight I should have faced the scar towards the V-berth. Here are two pics that show what I'm trying to describe.