Bulkhead replacement and depth finder

[Clem]

The end of last sailing season I had purchased an Oday 26, with inboard yanmar diesel. I do most of my sailing in/around the Barnegat Bay, NJ area.Right now it is time to start some of those winter projects:Replace starboard bulkhead (already have it out).Reseal chainplate area.Add a depth finder.Add shore power cables and breakers.For those of you who have replaced the bulkheads did you use 1/2 inch or 5/8 marine plywood. Also, what type of depth finders are most often used on these boats. I want to use an inhull puck type and am considering the Standard Horizon.any comments would be appreciated.thanks.Clem

 

[Mullet]

My O'day 25

had 1/2 inch. I'd propose that you take the old one and pick out a spot where it isnt too shabby and drill a small hole into it, stick a toothpick in there and then measure the distance.

 

[Mark]

Same Boat

I'm in the same boat. Replaceing all bulkheads in my O'Day 26. 1/2 is what mine measured. I don't think the channel in the cabin headliner will accept anything bigger. Good luck on your repairs. Let us know how it turns out!

 

[TT]

Seal the edges

Clem - Make sure that after your new bulkhead is trimmed & a good fit, you seal ALL the edge-grain with a couple of coats (more is better) of a thinned or penetrating epoxy before you install it in the boat. Unsealed plywood will wick-up any water and start to delaminate & rot.If your chainplates are leaking water into the boat, perhaps you have some rot in the balsa core of the deck around the chainplates too.There's lots of "how to" information available about this: the fall-winter '04 issue of 'Boat Works' magazine has a good article.

 

[bruce cornell]

depth finder

forget the depth finder and get a fish finder. it will show bottom, condition of bottom for anchoring, fishing, and contour? of bottom if lost in fog. epoxy to inside bottom at flattest area. sand clean and stick on, be sure of NO air bubbles in epoxy, or silicone...

 

[bruce cornell]

marine ply

remember marine ply uses same glue as exterior ply, only difference is marine does not have any spaces inside plys....