P303 Leaking Bulkhead Tie Straps

M

MikeK2B

.
Jul 11, 2015
18
Pearson 303 Bristol
Hi everybody,

New 1983 P303 owner and first post for me - Quest, Hull #49, new to Bristol, RI.

I've been reading just about every post on P303s on this site and am so thankful I stumbled upon it. I wanted to see what info may be out there regarding the rather common leaky bulkhead cabin-top plates...mine leak during every rainfall and aren't tight to the deck - there's a good tapered 1/8" - nothing gap between the bottom of the plate and the deck. Each of the two tie-downs seem to be fastened to the deck with two slotted screws - I don't see them on the inside. Surveyor said to take care of these followed by the rest of the hardware but noted no soft spots or delamination. Wondering what to expect when I unscrew these to rebed - are they really just screwed to the core? Plan on using butyl tape that I need to get from Maine Sailor. Also, the boat is in the water, can/should I tackle this now? I don't want the bulkheads to shift and not be able to line everything up. If it's not recommended to rebed now, how can I temporarily stop the water intrusion? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Best,
Mike
 
M

MikeK2B

.
Jul 11, 2015
18
Pearson 303 Bristol
No one familiar with these straps?? Appreciate any feedback on them. Thanks, Mike
 
ed stack

ed stack

.
Mar 14, 2012
52
I can't say I know, but I was thinking, especially the third photo, that it was once load bearing. How far is this from the mast as well as the toenail?
 
J

jrezab

.
Sep 2, 2011
26
Pearson 303 New Bern
Pearson 303 Bulkhead Tiedowns

MikeK2B said:
Hi everybody,

New 1983 P303 owner and first post for me - Quest, Hull #49, new to Bristol, RI.

I've been reading just about every post on P303s on this site and am so thankful I stumbled upon it. I wanted to see what info may be out there regarding the rather common leaky bulkhead cabin-top plates...mine leak during every rainfall and aren't tight to the deck - there's a good tapered 1/8" - nothing gap between the bottom of the plate and the deck. Each of the two tie-downs seem to be fastened to the deck with two slotted screws - I don't see them on the inside. Surveyor said to take care of these followed by the rest of the hardware but noted no soft spots or delamination. Wondering what to expect when I unscrew these to rebed - are they really just screwed to the core? Plan on using butyl tape that I need to get from Maine Sailor. Also, the boat is in the water, can/should I tackle this now? I don't want the bulkheads to shift and not be able to line everything up. If it's not recommended to rebed now, how can I temporarily stop the water intrusion? Any info is greatly appreciated.

Best,
Mike
Click to expand
Hi Mike,
I have a 1986 Pearson 303 which has the same tiedowns. Mine also leaked. They are Pearsons design to secure the bulkhead to the cabin top. The tie down is a T-shape welded fitting. Unscrew the 2 screws on the cabin top and remove the screws and nuts inside on the bulkhead. You will find a slot in the cabin top where the T-shaped fitting came out of. Rebed the fitting and resecure with the same screws. The leaks were eliminated 3 years ago and still dry today.

Jerry (Windy City, Hull 314)
 
M

MikeK2B

.
Jul 11, 2015
18
Pearson 303 Bristol
Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just surprised that these aren't bolts with backing washers and a nut - screwing right into the deck seems nutty to me.

jrezab said:
Hi Mike,
I have a 1986 Pearson 303 which has the same tiedowns. Mine also leaked. They are Pearsons design to secure the bulkhead to the cabin top. The tie down is a T-shape welded fitting. Unscrew the 2 screws on the cabin top and remove the screws and nuts inside on the bulkhead. You will find a slot in the cabin top where the T-shaped fitting came out of. Rebed the fitting and resecure with the same screws. The leaks were eliminated 3 years ago and still dry today.

Jerry (Windy City, Hull 314)
Click to expand
 
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