Bulkhead thickness

[fred1diver]

Hello again
I need to replace the salon bulkheads on our 1972 Pearson 30, the compression post is in excellent condition, but the port bulkhead is no longer touching the floor.
The boat is under wrap surrounded by snow so I cannot go measure the thickness of the bulkhead at the moment.

and if anyone has done this job, can you point me in the right direction please
The bulkhead is simple, just never worked with a compression post before

 

[jssailem]

salon bulkheads - and compression post

As you are aware, these have very different functions.

The bulkheads on your boat may be designed to hold the hull shape in place, so that the fiberglass hull does not fold inward under the stresses placed on the hull by the sails and the water.

Or they may simply be there to provide visual separation from the salon to other spaces in the boat. Without knowing, one would only be guessing at what thickness should be selected.

I suggest you replace the bulkheads with the same quality and dimensions as the material originally in the boat. This may mean you will need to pause the project until Mother Nature lets you get back into your boat.

 

[Terry Cox]

Different model boat, but our load bearing bulkheads are 3/4" veneered marine grade plywood and I/2" non-load bearing. So, the bulkhead that divides the forward cabin is load bearing as is the bulkhead that divides the aft cabin.