35.5 aft bulkhead hatch specs

[codaca]

In the owner mods section there is a nice set of photos on creating an opening in the aft cabin bulkhead to get access to replace the holding tank (or fuel tank if your boat is configured thus). One critical measurement is missing. The height from the bunk floor. The post states that hole height is critical (due to "fiber glass pan on the bottom side and a locker floor support on the top") and while the hole dimension is spec'd (14 inches), there is no mention of how far up the bulkhead to place the hole. Of course I could climb down in there and measure but it would be great if someone knows the number. At the very least to confirm my measurements.

Related, the post says that there are some specs for the template but they do not seem to be attached. I reported the inconsistency but would like to get the template and height info before whipping out the saw...

Jeff

 

[Alan]

Jeff

The size of the hole you cut in the bulkhead is your own choosing. I made a really big one in mine to give complete access to everything. It dimensions are 24" height by 42" long.
I'll try to include some pictures.

 

[Honeyman]

The "templates and measurements" that were part of the original post were teriffic, but seem to have separated from the posts during the last revamp of this website. Like Alan, I did this job about 2 1/2- 3 yrs. ago and I'm having trouble finding all my notes. From pictures I have, it looks like the measurement you're looking for is approx. 3 7/8 " from "bunk floor" up to bottom edge of opening. Can't get to my boat currently due to surgery. I'd drill a very small pilot hole on the left side of the bulkhead, facing aft, 3 7/8 up and about 6" inboard from where the curved side meets the "bunk floor". You should feel the bit go through bulkhead and nothing else behind it...if you hit something solid, stop and move up. I'm 99% sure it's just under 4". Like Alan, I also made mine as wide as possible. After a second look at his pictures, the "shelf" shown to the left of his tank in photo #1 is what you're trying to miss. Looks like he found a way to cut bulkhead without hitting the "pan" in the aft compartment. Probably used a router bit set at a certain depth. I went after mine with a jig-saw and had to be more careful.

 

[Tcrockett]

I just completed the task myself this season, I came up just about 5 inches, I did however abandoned the base shelf that was installed in the example. I did take the time to build and install it, but I found it was two tight on the install with the larger Ronco. I have pictures in a powerpoint that may help you, but the file is two large to send over this site. TC

 

[Alan]

TC, just curious which Ronco tank you chose to install. The one I used is 30 gallons (B 189) but didn't require any shelf mods. The shelf above the tank is stock. It is the floor of the aft cockpit lazarette. I was able to use the existing holes to run new hold down straps for the tank.
The shelf on the stbd side (left in the pics) that supports the battery charger was also a stock component of the original floor pan.