I am in the process of buying an '85 O'Day 26 and the seller pointed out that the bulkheads are soft near the chainplates. I've seen that this is a very common problem with O'Days. The bulkheads are beginning to get soft just above the where the chainplates are fastened to the bulkheads. He suggested that a metal shop could make some steel or aluminum plates to bolt onto the bulkhead and affix the chainplates onto the plates. Does this sound like a solution other than replacing the entire bulkhead? This would be my first boat and I want to make sure the solution is sound.
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TT
Tip of the Iceberg
John F - I've a '78 O27 that had or has similar problem: it was addressed (sort of) by a previous owner of the boat. Reading reviews of the 27 posted on this site suggests that it's a very common problem, and several owners mention replacing the entire bulkhead. Unfortunately, the damage may not be confined to the bulkhead, as water entering around the chainplate causes the deck core to rot. The bulkhead, in addition to carrying the strain of the shrouds, provides transverse stiffness to the hull and I think would also help carry the compressive load of the mast too. The fix you mentioned may suffice to get you through a couple of seasons, but in the long run you'll probably have to bite the bullet & replace the whole bulkhead. One O27 owner I got an e-mail from is installing new chainplates on the outside of the hull: I am still waiting to hear back from him as to the success of this modification, but it has a lot of appeal to me, as it promises to cure the whole business of rot in the deck core & the bulkhead in one stroke. It would certainly be nice to fix it right and be done with it. Good luck.
John F - I've a '78 O27 that had or has similar problem: it was addressed (sort of) by a previous owner of the boat. Reading reviews of the 27 posted on this site suggests that it's a very common problem, and several owners mention replacing the entire bulkhead. Unfortunately, the damage may not be confined to the bulkhead, as water entering around the chainplate causes the deck core to rot. The bulkhead, in addition to carrying the strain of the shrouds, provides transverse stiffness to the hull and I think would also help carry the compressive load of the mast too. The fix you mentioned may suffice to get you through a couple of seasons, but in the long run you'll probably have to bite the bullet & replace the whole bulkhead. One O27 owner I got an e-mail from is installing new chainplates on the outside of the hull: I am still waiting to hear back from him as to the success of this modification, but it has a lot of appeal to me, as it promises to cure the whole business of rot in the deck core & the bulkhead in one stroke. It would certainly be nice to fix it right and be done with it. Good luck.
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Todd Ciehomski
Go 100%
John - FYI, I'm located in Wilson NY out on Lake Ontario. At any rate, I had the same problem with my portside bulkhead on my OD 25. The previous owners attempted a similar repair to the one you mentioned with some degree of success. They sandwiched the softspot with two pieces of solid teak laminate. It worked well, but I noticed the bolts pulling through at the end of last season. I tend to sail the boat pretty hard, so I had some spine tingling "what-if-the-rigging-went-down" thoughts. I decided to replace the whole darn thing last Spring. The most difficult part of the whole preocess was pulling the old bulkhead out, which, much to my alarm, came out in shreds (what if?). You'll need to chisel out the compression post from the bilge and replace it. I used a marine grade 2 x 4 and routed it out to specs. I salvaged as much of the old bulkhead as I could and took it out in two large pieces. I used the pieces as a template for a new bulkhead, which I jigsawed out of marine grade plywood. The new bulkhead was a tight fit, but I used a car jack (placed perpendicular to the bulkhead with a cheap 2x4 to protect the laminate)to jam that sucker in. Once it's in, that's it. If you've made mistakes at this point, go home, grab a beer, and take a few deep breaths because you're going to have to cut a new bulkhead. E-mail me at taidog@msn.com ir you need more info...
John - FYI, I'm located in Wilson NY out on Lake Ontario. At any rate, I had the same problem with my portside bulkhead on my OD 25. The previous owners attempted a similar repair to the one you mentioned with some degree of success. They sandwiched the softspot with two pieces of solid teak laminate. It worked well, but I noticed the bolts pulling through at the end of last season. I tend to sail the boat pretty hard, so I had some spine tingling "what-if-the-rigging-went-down" thoughts. I decided to replace the whole darn thing last Spring. The most difficult part of the whole preocess was pulling the old bulkhead out, which, much to my alarm, came out in shreds (what if?). You'll need to chisel out the compression post from the bilge and replace it. I used a marine grade 2 x 4 and routed it out to specs. I salvaged as much of the old bulkhead as I could and took it out in two large pieces. I used the pieces as a template for a new bulkhead, which I jigsawed out of marine grade plywood. The new bulkhead was a tight fit, but I used a car jack (placed perpendicular to the bulkhead with a cheap 2x4 to protect the laminate)to jam that sucker in. Once it's in, that's it. If you've made mistakes at this point, go home, grab a beer, and take a few deep breaths because you're going to have to cut a new bulkhead. E-mail me at taidog@msn.com ir you need more info...
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Herb
Quick fix
My 26 had the same problem, but the damage was not real bad so I got some stainless strap material from West Marine that matched the existing and bolted them on each side of the bulkhead. Basicly, I just extended the existing chain plates and it has been fine for three years. Make sure to re-seal where the chainplate goes through the deck on both sides to stop leaks in the future.
My 26 had the same problem, but the damage was not real bad so I got some stainless strap material from West Marine that matched the existing and bolted them on each side of the bulkhead. Basicly, I just extended the existing chain plates and it has been fine for three years. Make sure to re-seal where the chainplate goes through the deck on both sides to stop leaks in the future.
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Brian
Chainplates
Replacing your bulkheads is the best solution and if the damage extends more than a few inches the only solution. That being said, you can do any number of bandaids that will give you good sevice for a number of years. What I would do is first make backing straps with five inches of extra length(for two more bolts) from stainless steel(not aluminum) for added support lower in the bulkhead. Second, treat the soft bulkhead with a penetrating epoxy like "Git Rot" or heated west system epoxy(105 resin and 209 hardener). Be sure to use stainless steel bolts. Last, pull the chainplates and make sure you rebed them. Don't just put sealant around them, clean out the rotted core and fill it with thickened epoxy and you will get many years of good service. West System has an excellent manual for this kind of repair. Good Luck and God Bless
Replacing your bulkheads is the best solution and if the damage extends more than a few inches the only solution. That being said, you can do any number of bandaids that will give you good sevice for a number of years. What I would do is first make backing straps with five inches of extra length(for two more bolts) from stainless steel(not aluminum) for added support lower in the bulkhead. Second, treat the soft bulkhead with a penetrating epoxy like "Git Rot" or heated west system epoxy(105 resin and 209 hardener). Be sure to use stainless steel bolts. Last, pull the chainplates and make sure you rebed them. Don't just put sealant around them, clean out the rotted core and fill it with thickened epoxy and you will get many years of good service. West System has an excellent manual for this kind of repair. Good Luck and God Bless
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Mike O'Shurak
Bulkhead replacrment
I just solved my problem.My Oday-25's bulkhead was dry rotted and I had the Port bulkhead replaced. We tryed sandwiching with an additional chainplate but problem got worse,so I bit the bullet and had the bulkhead replaced.
I just solved my problem.My Oday-25's bulkhead was dry rotted and I had the Port bulkhead replaced. We tryed sandwiching with an additional chainplate but problem got worse,so I bit the bullet and had the bulkhead replaced.
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Nathan
Fun boat
John, The 26 is a great boat for our area. Forgiving, roomy and stable. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than this, though, if you plan to sail on the lake, particularly if you are looking to do any cruising- this lake's got a bit of a temper and it can get real hairy, real quick. I've had my 26 out in all kinds of conditions and she generally handles herself well, providing you have the right amount of sail up. She is a bit on the tender side, though, so you want to remember to reef early and often. Are you looking at Ness at RCR? I've been watching that boat to see how quickly it sells, as we are looking to upgrade and may end up trading in with them. The 26 has been great for us (wife and 2 small kids), but as the kids get older, I'd like to do a bit more cruising and think we will need a little more room for that. Congrats on your first boat and if you're looking for any advice or a brain to pick, you can reach me at nlove1@mandtbank.com. Nathan
John, The 26 is a great boat for our area. Forgiving, roomy and stable. I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than this, though, if you plan to sail on the lake, particularly if you are looking to do any cruising- this lake's got a bit of a temper and it can get real hairy, real quick. I've had my 26 out in all kinds of conditions and she generally handles herself well, providing you have the right amount of sail up. She is a bit on the tender side, though, so you want to remember to reef early and often. Are you looking at Ness at RCR? I've been watching that boat to see how quickly it sells, as we are looking to upgrade and may end up trading in with them. The 26 has been great for us (wife and 2 small kids), but as the kids get older, I'd like to do a bit more cruising and think we will need a little more room for that. Congrats on your first boat and if you're looking for any advice or a brain to pick, you can reach me at nlove1@mandtbank.com. Nathan
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