Bulkhead, countertop replacement?

[Richard]

I mentioned I'm zeroing in on Hunter 31s. I found one that's a contender... but it needs to have a bulkhead and the countertop replaced. The bulkhead is the one between the head and the main cabin. One end is fixed to the compression post. It isn't involved in chainplate or structural support as far as I can tell.Have any of you done this sort of work? How involved is it? Can the existing countertop and bulkhead be removed for use as patterns? Do they come out very easily?Thanks,-Richard

 

[Bob]

Bulkhead

It isn't really that complicated, getting the old screws out with the heads intact is the hardest part. If your 31 is like my 1976 30, the bulkhead is screwed into the compression post at a 45 degree andgle, just pick a spot and cut the panel where you still have good wood, nake a template or use the old panel, and bond the new one in with resin and cloth. The Countertop is a task to get out, mine is in the cellar, but once again not an insurmountable task, just duplicate it with 3/4" plywood, some kind of veneer (formica?) and your done. Its a good time to inspect and replace anything else hidden by the panels.

 

[Debra B]

This Old Boat

is a pretty good intro to fixing stuff. You might be able to order through your library before you purchase it.I am going to redo my galley counter and perhaps redo the head sink as well. I don't think in my case I need to replace the underlayment - just the laminate surface. (Acetone disolves the contact cement used on my countertop - which I discovered after a small spill brought up part of the old surface.) If I had to replace the underlayment I would probably put in a solid surface, but that seems too much for my boat.

 

[patrick]

I would leave the bulkhead in place

You can laminate some 1/8" teak plywood onto it unless it is too badly gone. You can inject some thinned epoxy into it if it is rotten and that may save it. Make a template of cardboard to cut the plywood. My experience is that bulkheads are difficult to remove and refit but yours may be different. If it seems difficult, you might want to rethink it before you take it out completely.Most of the countertops I have worked on come out by removing screws. Some of them are mounted in complex ways so you may have to study them a little. Same thing applies to formica - if you can laminate it on in place, that will save you a lot of time. You might look into getting a router and a trimmer bit. The real thin Japanese saws are very useful for this kind of work too. They cut on the pull stroke and are real thin so you do not have a lot of material to remove and far less effort and waste. You can get the ones which break down into two parts and they will fit your tool kit.

 

[Jim]

do it

The bulk head comes out pretty easily. It is not attached to the compression post. It is sandwiched between the teak that surrounds the compression post.