another C27 Bulkhead question

[navigateur]

Hello all - new sailor, about to make an offer on a 1980 Catalina 27. I have searched the archives on bulkhead replacement but still come away with a few unanswered questions. Please help if you can.

I see the two bulkheads, which I take to be the solid 1/2" to 3/4" plywood separators between the cabin and locker on the port side, and cabin and the head on the starboard side. I see slight staining on the starboard side around the top bolt, where it appears to be just slightly crushed behind the washer. Only the first bolt shows any indication of rot. On both sides, the first 1/4" where moisture has occurred is rotted but beyond that it looks to be solid wood behind the bolts. I suspect, for a 30 year old boat that this is not atypical.

Is this acceptable, assuming the rot is limited to the top section? Also, in lieu of removing the entire bulkhead, I was wondering if another fix might be a stainless steel backing plate on the opposite side that would effectively extend the length of the chainplate lower down the bulkhead where the wood is known to be solid.

Might there be a link to photos somewhere so that I can confirm I am using the correct terminology? When it is said that the bulkheads had been replaced, my vision is that the large separator from cabin to head must be removed and replaced with a new fabrication. The boat has molding around the door and I can visualize my new bulkhead looking less than stellar compared to the factory bulkhead.

Thank you for taking the time to read my posting.

daniel

sent from Simon's iPhone
Astoria, Oregon

 

[tomlang63]

Simon - I just finished a restoration of both my bulkheads on my 1981 C27. They really weren't all that difficult to replace, and I would be glad to go over steps to getting this done. Attach some pictures of what your bulkheads look like now. Attaching a chain plate extension is just putting off the inevitable. From a safety standpoint, if the first hole is compromised, then the others are likely suffering the same problem even if not visible until you start pulling things apart.

Tom

 

[dj2210]

On my 82' I did the port side as it was pretty bad but the starboard had no problems-weird. The port side is fairly easy to take apart and put back together. The problem for me was getting teak ply. The shipping cost more than the ply

 

[kerryonc27]

Hi Simon,

You say you are new to sailing? Do you mean...new to sailing, like never sailed before. If so, that's where I'm at and looking forward to buying our first boat...74 Catalina 27...little nervous about the age (74), but a lot has been redone and it looks great! What I've read about the Catalina27 is encouraging and this site and the folks here are great. It makes buying into this sport a little more encouraging to think you are not alone.
For me, the price is right to start and I don't mind upgrading and maintaining things I buy. I just don't want to get into anything that could be a safety concern.There are many resources out there to support us!
Anyway, good luck and happy sailing.
Ron

 

[Kootenay pirate..]

My Catalina 27 has water stains on the port side too..but wood is solid still..i do hear creaking w taking so Im wondering if i need to inspect further. .have plates on the other spots for reinforcing but...still a little curious what the deal is.....

 

[navigateur]

Thank you so very much for your helpful contributions. I thought that I might chronicle my efforts to rebuild my Catalina 27 to better help the community and share my findings. I suspect my situation is typical, and I am hoping others can gain through my endeavours. I am starting with the electronics, electrics, rigging, in that order ... only because I am an electronics engineer and that is the path of least resistance.

I'll check back in as I progress. When we return from our summer in Paris, we will be sailing around Vancouver Island and should become far more familiar with the vagaries of our Catalina 27. We adore her .. as we get to know her.

cheerio ...