I am replacing the port bulkhead on my 23 Oday. Having removed it, there appears to be more space and better lighting created. I am mindful that the bulkhead serves the primary purpose of holding the chainplate and providing the support for the mast (especially the 2x4 directly below it). No doubt the Oday engineers thought that a wall from the 2x4 directly to the port side would be best. I have seen pictures of other interiors where the bulkhead is reduced to provide a bigger doorway. Any advice on alternate bulkhead dimensions? Since the SB bulkhead is shorter, can I reduce the port bulkhead to about 1 3/4 feet and simply use the 2x4 for mast support? Any pics of other modifications to the bulkhead? Thanks.
Bulk head replacement on 78 Oday 23
- Thread starter Herco Dunlop
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I would not suggest going too far with reducing the size of the bulkheads, as you say.. the engineers at O'DAY built it the original way for a lot of reasons, and I wouldn't want to make radical changes without a full evaluation by someone who understands the stresses on that area of the boat. I think a potential idea would be to install what I would refer to as a "Ring Bulkhead" design as in the 222. This would spread the stresses from the rig to a wider area of the structure and would allow the open space you crave while maintaining the structure of the boat. (see pic below, The table kind of gets in the way of the picture, but this still shows the 222 cabin well)
That said, and in NO WAY endorsing your modifications, I will post a picture showing how someone else modified their 23. For comparison, I include a picture of the stock design as well. I prefer the stock version, or perhaps the 222 inspired idea.
That said, and in NO WAY endorsing your modifications, I will post a picture showing how someone else modified their 23. For comparison, I include a picture of the stock design as well. I prefer the stock version, or perhaps the 222 inspired idea.
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Thanks for your response. My proposed bulkhead would be like your second picture. In that picture, the wood holding the chainplate is triangular. I want to make it more of a square, with the sides being the wall of the cabin and where the arch ends (the top left corner of the picture frame in the first picture). I think the stress of the chainplate would be verticle, and a bulkhead in that part would suffice. The wood to the right of the picture frame would not be as necessary to hold up the mast, as evidenced in your third picture. But them again, I may be wrong. Again, thanks for your time and input.
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You have to make sure the mast support post can't move. That's what the port BH does in the original set up, it ties to the mast support. Seems like you'll end up having a big head duck/bang to go forward. And you won't have much privacy when sitting on the toilet...
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