Are the bulkheads load bearing in the vega? Specifically, I am thinking of cutting away a portion of the bulkhead forward of the head to provide a little more room while (ahem) using said head.
bulkheads??
- Thread starter alanc
- Start date
Yes they are. They transfer load to the lower hull.
Others here better qualified to comment but I would very slow to weaken them without expert advice.
John V1447 Breakaway
John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick
Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie
Others here better qualified to comment but I would very slow to weaken them without expert advice.
John V1447 Breakaway
John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick
Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie
I think the bulkheads are an important part of the system that transfers loads from the mast to the hull. I would leave them intact. Also, make sure all the little nuts/bolts attaching them to the hull flanges are snug. Mine had worked loose, some were missing, and others had oval holes from flexing.
I got a little more 'head' room by lowering the platform the head sits on by a couple of inches, and by removing the trim piece over the head doorway. I also turned the pump handle around so it's on the forward side of the head, your 'right' when seated. Being right-handed, it allows for a little more elbow room when doing the paper work ;-)
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
I got a little more 'head' room by lowering the platform the head sits on by a couple of inches, and by removing the trim piece over the head doorway. I also turned the pump handle around so it's on the forward side of the head, your 'right' when seated. Being right-handed, it allows for a little more elbow room when doing the paper work ;-)
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
thanks guys, I am going to modify that platform too. I'm a lefty, so I guess
I'll just have to learn to live with that.
I'll just have to learn to live with that.
i have to replace the bulkhead on the port side under the mast as a water leak warped the old one. I'm not at the boat, its a few hours away and i wanted to start getting the materials before i head down there. Anyone know the thickness of the bulkhead? Anyone replaced it with G10 fiberglass or would that be total overkill? Thanks so much.
karl
karl
Karl,
I have no idea about replacing it with fiberglass, but that bulkhead is 12mm thick and the forward one is 9mm on my series 2. I'm in the process of replacing them now.
With regard to the other post about making more room for the head, I plan on cutting a hole in the forward bulkhead for the pump to be mounted in. I'm putting in a Lavac head that has the pump separate and I want to limit how much it protrudes into the head area. I haven't finalized how it will look yet because I haven't purchased the head or holding tank yet. I shouldn't weaken the bulkhead by cutting the hole, but may just use 12mm on that bulkhead also to make up for it. I'm not an engineer, but I believe that, as long as I have rounded corners and the hole is at least 6 to 8 inches from the edges, I should maintain the majority of the strength of the bulkhead. Thoughts?
Ric
s/v Blue Max
#2692
I have no idea about replacing it with fiberglass, but that bulkhead is 12mm thick and the forward one is 9mm on my series 2. I'm in the process of replacing them now.
With regard to the other post about making more room for the head, I plan on cutting a hole in the forward bulkhead for the pump to be mounted in. I'm putting in a Lavac head that has the pump separate and I want to limit how much it protrudes into the head area. I haven't finalized how it will look yet because I haven't purchased the head or holding tank yet. I shouldn't weaken the bulkhead by cutting the hole, but may just use 12mm on that bulkhead also to make up for it. I'm not an engineer, but I believe that, as long as I have rounded corners and the hole is at least 6 to 8 inches from the edges, I should maintain the majority of the strength of the bulkhead. Thoughts?
Ric
s/v Blue Max
#2692
G10 is probably overkill as well as being a bit (or a lot!) more money than
a good marine ply like Hydro Tek.
Ric
You're right about rounding the corners. You could also epoxy a doubler of
ply around the hole on the hidden side for some extra strength.
a good marine ply like Hydro Tek.
Ric
You're right about rounding the corners. You could also epoxy a doubler of
ply around the hole on the hidden side for some extra strength.