Bulkhead replacement advice

[faustkaren]

During friendly regatta - chainplate ripped thru starboard bulkhead, scared wife have to death who was down below, mother in law was thrilled we were heeling so much!!
Can I do this? or do I need a professional? Planning on replacing both sides, as port side seems a little soft...

 

[Indysailor]

This was one of the most surprisingly easy things I have yet to do on my boat. With the 26, you may have the extra steps of having to cut out the old bulkheads and retabbing them, which was not the case on mine because they just slid in and out, but other than that this is a job you don't need be concerned about. The key is in removing the old ones so that they can be used as templates for the new ones. It's a fairly straight forward project- disassemble, trace the new bulkheads, cut and finish them, re-assemble, go sailing.
I think there was probably about 12 hours of labor in mine.

 

[faustkaren]

This was one of the most surprisingly easy things I have yet to do on my boat. With the 26, you may have the extra steps of having to cut out the old bulkheads and retabbing them, which was not the case on mine because they just slid in and out, but other than that this is a job you don't need be concerned about. The key is in removing the old ones so that they can be used as templates for the new ones. It's a fairly straight forward project- disassemble, trace the new bulkheads, cut and finish them, re-assemble, go sailing.
I think there was probably about 12 hours of labor in mine.

Thanks for the reply!
I think it may take me a bit more than twelve hrs. The rotting out part is small enough that I shouldn't have too much trouble salvaging templates. I'm guessing the entire head has to be dis-assembled as well. When you say "slid out" what did you do to relieve the pressure on the bulkheads? I talked to Rudy at D & R Marine and he was very encouraging. Removing them so I don't cause any further damage is my biggest concern. My wife and I love our boat very much!

 

[faustkaren]

A few more tid-bits. [The first post isn't perfectly accurate. It was the port side that ripped out of the bulk head.] We are unbelievably lucky that we weren't de-masted! The starboard side is actually pretty bad too. The P/O mounted speakers in the cabin that hid the most obvious signs of rot. In hind sight I was stupid to not have her surveyed.

 

[Indysailor]

I used a bottle jack and a 4X4 placed just aft of the compression post to raise the cabin top (mast down, of course). Probably lifted it about 3/8 of an inch.

 

[faustkaren]

I know I can just measure after I pull them... But, how thick are the bulkheads in a 26? Between the trim and the compression post it is almost impossible to discern ahead of time. I'd like to have all of my material ready and waiting to go.

 

[Fly_H23]

Our 85' O'day 26 has 3/4" thick bulkheads. They were replaced by the previous owner several years ago. Be sure you use an exterior or marine grade plywood. You can always put a mahogany veneer to get that original factory look. Ours is covered in tongue and groove cedar planks. Looks alright but I would have done it in a more traditional wood species.

 

[RichBone]

My bulkheads are 1/2" and the compression post is 3 1/2"x 1 1/4"

 

[faustkaren]

What's the original spec'd plywood?

My bulkheads are 1/2" and the compression post is 3 1/2"x 1 1/4"

My next question...

What is the veneer on the original bulkheads??? I am willing to spring for Teak.

 

[emergpa1]

My next question...

What is the veneer on the original bulkheads??? I am willing to spring for Teak.

I painted mine with lowes porch paint. It sets off the teak trim nicely, and was way cheaper than teak. Plumps I was able to buy local.

 

[faustkaren]

My bulkheads are 1/2" and the compression post is 3 1/2"x 1 1/4"

I am pretty sure mine are 1/2" too. I talked to Rudy at D&R he believes that they are veneered in Teak. Paint would never go over with the Admiral. The galley and saloon are all hers. I just maintain them. I may go with 3/4" plywood because you have to grind off the veneer so the epoxy and glass have something to really stick to.