I saw a real nice looking idea for my bulkheads in the cockpit, I would love to make some, but I am lost as to how the panel stays up? What kind of hinges do you think they might be using? I see no mean to hold the panel up
Looking for ideas
- Thread starter fred1diver
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,455
The star identifies a Bung Hole. Embedded screws or through bolts attach the wood panel to the fiberglass bulkhead. They may also have used thickened epoxy to seal the panel to the bulkhead. The folding tables are a nice touch. The displays are fitted into the wood panel. A smaller hole behind the wood panel is used to pass the wires through to the inside of the cabin.
The only drawback may be the continual need to varnish the wood panels. A cover would help to extend the varnish work for a couple of seasons.
What I am really looking for is the kind of hinges used, if you notice, the lower part of the panel folds up to make a small table, mounting it to the bulkhead is the easy part, but what is holding the panel up? You can see hinges, but no mean to secure it in the up position
we are thinking to relocate the speakers and the rest of the old equipment from the bulkhead and we think this is a good way to make it look nice (I will close all the previous holes, glass everything and try to make it look nice)
The only equipment I am still looking for a new location is the wind indicator. Might mount it like they did in the pic, on the top panel, still debating, might try without for this season and just use the plotter to view the info
we are thinking to relocate the speakers and the rest of the old equipment from the bulkhead and we think this is a good way to make it look nice (I will close all the previous holes, glass everything and try to make it look nice)
The only equipment I am still looking for a new location is the wind indicator. Might mount it like they did in the pic, on the top panel, still debating, might try without for this season and just use the plotter to view the info
I don't think hinges would be strong enough to hold the panel horizontal - too much leverage at the outer edge. Who knows what they did for the picture but it needs support underneath, like a lid prop, something like this:
www.ordertrailerparts.com
Lid Prop, Telescoping 12-1/4
Part #: OTP-DP102 Description: 1 (One) Lid Prop, Telescoping 12-1/4" Open/Extended Length. OEM: This is a standard battery box lid prop on Snake River and C&B dump trailers until 3/2015.
www.ordertrailerparts.com
Most tables which hinge up/down have a folding leg or brace to support it . The hard part may be finding brass hinges long enough to work.
Brass threaded wood inserts for furniture mounted from inside the cabin then a fold out shelf support using a piano hinge. When was the last time any of you guys went to IKEA? Sorry just to have to say that because every once in awhile that advertisement with the lady running towards the car with her purchase yelling at her ride "start the car start the car" comes to mind because that Ad registered near even with the one in the restaurant where the lady says 'I'll have some of what she's having'. And now I am certain I watch way too much TV.
Our H356 had a cockpit table with a large leaf on both sides is the middle. When in the table mode there were cops underneath that retained a bar support on a hinge. Problem was when someone sitting at the table raised their knee, the leaf would detach from the support and the leaf would collapse creating the Dog's Breakfast situation - with red wine.
Support legs in the cockpit wouldn't work if there are cushions. They would be subject to damage from people banging into them.
I've seen supporting pieces of wood that could rotate from the down position to support in the up position. I think that system is used for fold down cabin tables. I think my Ranger 29 had an arrangement like that. The table folded down from the bulkhead on the port side. Then a leaf could be folded out and two rotating wood slates supported the leaf from underneath. There was a table leg aft but the table was more than 4' long.
Support legs in the cockpit wouldn't work if there are cushions. They would be subject to damage from people banging into them.
I've seen supporting pieces of wood that could rotate from the down position to support in the up position. I think that system is used for fold down cabin tables. I think my Ranger 29 had an arrangement like that. The table folded down from the bulkhead on the port side. Then a leaf could be folded out and two rotating wood slates supported the leaf from underneath. There was a table leg aft but the table was more than 4' long.
We had a chart table leaf a little like that on our O’Day 28. It had a fold out “leg” to hold it up. The leg was a piece of plywood shaped like an upside down L, with a piano hinge along the bulkhead. The bottom of the table had a wedge shaped wood block on it, maybe 1/2” thick and a few inches long, with a notch in it. The leg would fold out, slide along the wedge, then rest in the notch so it couldn’t slip back without lifting the table up a little extra.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,455
This is something like I am imagining. I think the 45º arm might be able to slide up or down on the bulkhead. and out along the table bottom. I like the idea of a magnet to hold the table in place, as long as it is not near your compass or the systems for your autopilot.
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,455
That is why boats get women's names. So that the men can take care of them.
Lavish the bright work with varnish.
Dress them with wraps and covers.
Then go sailing, stripping gently, removing the coverings to expose their beauty.
Lavish the bright work with varnish.
Dress them with wraps and covers.
Then go sailing, stripping gently, removing the coverings to expose their beauty.
You can try some strong magnets. glued into holes on the fixed part and the magnet's reciprocal part glued into a recess/hole on the table part.
www.mcmaster.com
These are nickel-plated magnets, so they shouldn't rust. This will help in the stowed position. For the deployed position, a lanyard on each side (ss wire, dyneema?) might work instead of an arm or leg. You'll have to test and see if an arm or a lanyard from above will be more intrusive.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
Ok, thank you all for your answers
We are now wondering if instead we should just remove everything mounted on those bulkheads and cover the whole area with a “plastic “ panel of sorts to make it look nicer, and start with a blank canvas, it could be more comfortable as a backrest as well.
But what would you all suggest as a material?
At the moment on the port we have a speaker, old useless depth meter, winch handle holder and on the stb side, speaker, wind gauge, old 12v plug (not wired) small chrome vent cover (no idea why it is there)
We want to make the boat more practical for us, we plan on relocating the speakers more to the back of the cockpit, the wind instrument I want higher, the handle holder will be relocated, just not sure where yet, the rest is garbage
We are now wondering if instead we should just remove everything mounted on those bulkheads and cover the whole area with a “plastic “ panel of sorts to make it look nicer, and start with a blank canvas, it could be more comfortable as a backrest as well.
But what would you all suggest as a material?
At the moment on the port we have a speaker, old useless depth meter, winch handle holder and on the stb side, speaker, wind gauge, old 12v plug (not wired) small chrome vent cover (no idea why it is there)
We want to make the boat more practical for us, we plan on relocating the speakers more to the back of the cockpit, the wind instrument I want higher, the handle holder will be relocated, just not sure where yet, the rest is garbage
If you lean against that bulkhead when lounging in the cockpit, you might want to reconsider installing anything that might project into your back.
I’ve never found a way to lean against that bulkhead that was especially comfortable, at least not without a couple cushions to get the right angle. For that reason I wouldn’t pick a material just for the reclining comfort. I’d pick whatever material was easiest to work with and looks best, and get a sport-a-seat style cushion for reclining.
