Interior Bulkhead, structural or not?

[Paul McKune]

Seems like our boat is a 21 footer, did not see it listed. We have a v-berth in which the porta-head is also located. This is separated from the main cabin by a wooden bulkhead. The bulkhead is thin sheet inserted in channel that is molded in the fiberglas overhead and a vertical piece of wooden c-channel to which the folding door is attached. The port and starboard stays are attached to the deck with through-bolts that also attach to brackets that are fastened to the wooden bulkhead. We want to modify the cabin by removing the bulkhead. Our question is, is the vertical piece of wooden channel a structural component or not. I believe it is not and that all the structural integrity is found in the molded fiberglass cabin shape. A kind of "eggshell" effect. I believe we can remove the wood, install a flat plate on the interior side of the stay through bolts to distribute the pull-out force applied to the deck and have a much more open cabin with no compromise of our structural integrity. Can anyone weigh in on this? Thanks

 

[Ben Bishopo]

Ohh Yeah You need it

First you need the panel for the chainplates, which hold the standing rigging. Second, without this bulkhead you would have what is called "oil canning" of the entire deck, as the mast compresses the deck every time you hit a wave. This panel needs to be reinforced in most of these boats, not removed. This winter I plan to add a teak compression post to the bulkhead in my OD 22. Good luck.

 

[Sean Herron...herrons@telus.net]

Make An Incision...

Hello...You need the bulkhead, in my 22 I actually have a nice stainless Steel compression post, so I cut out a large 'window', (just yesterday) in both sides of the bulkhead, leaving a good 4 inches all around, and leaving a vertical line where the chainplates bolt through...routed a slot, pounded in some T trim, hung a curtain on snaps...I suppose I should document my work...Today I am going to modify the chainplates themselves...sun is just now coming up...SH.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Keep the bulkhead

Yep, as the others have said the bulkhead is structural. You will risk crushing your boat without it. If you really want to take it out you can install a frame so that the loads are distributed similarly but the middle is open, but I wouldn't do it unless you consult an engineer.Jusitn