Thanks to all for the constructive comments.
Correct me if wrong but the important points wityh regard to deck compression appear to be:-
1. Mast loads are fed through the wooden cross beam into the forward bulkhead and hence into the hull structure.
2. Any additional stiffening component inserted under the mast must therefore feed its loads into the bulkhead preferably over as wide an area as possible.
3. The vertical posts either side of the door stiffen the bulkhead but do not carry any vertical loading into the hull as they are not directly connected to it.
4. The cabin sole in this area can not be considered as load bearing.
I think the suggestion from Steve Demont is novel and is an approach to the problem that had not crossed my mind. Provided you can negotiate the oval cutout to the V - berth, (I would have an immediate problem being 6ft 1inch tall), the idea in general seems viable provided point 2 above is taken into consideration.
To my mind also, the recommendation of Bill Bach with regard to stiffening the bulkhead to hull joint is well worth following. I found on 'Alkira' that around 50% of the bolts were loose and in addition I don't like the idea of just relying on these for the bulkhead attachment. My only addition to Bill's mod' thjerefore will be to fill the "sandwich" with epoxy resin before bolting the whole lot together and thus produce a very stiff, high integrity joint.
I will probably go for a metal (aluminium) backup beam bolted to the existing wooden one as I have access to the necessary manufacturing facilities. Also, it might be worth increasing the bulkhead stiffening as suggested again by Bill.
Finall can I reassure Walt S that I did set up the rig on 'Alkira' whilst she was afloat. I apologise if my e-mail was misleading.
It appears that the rig set up was in general correct. The boom problem is perhaps mainly due to an old, out of shape mainsail.
Regards to all
Frank Fowler, V1775, Liverpool, UK.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Correct me if wrong but the important points wityh regard to deck compression appear to be:-
1. Mast loads are fed through the wooden cross beam into the forward bulkhead and hence into the hull structure.
2. Any additional stiffening component inserted under the mast must therefore feed its loads into the bulkhead preferably over as wide an area as possible.
3. The vertical posts either side of the door stiffen the bulkhead but do not carry any vertical loading into the hull as they are not directly connected to it.
4. The cabin sole in this area can not be considered as load bearing.
I think the suggestion from Steve Demont is novel and is an approach to the problem that had not crossed my mind. Provided you can negotiate the oval cutout to the V - berth, (I would have an immediate problem being 6ft 1inch tall), the idea in general seems viable provided point 2 above is taken into consideration.
To my mind also, the recommendation of Bill Bach with regard to stiffening the bulkhead to hull joint is well worth following. I found on 'Alkira' that around 50% of the bolts were loose and in addition I don't like the idea of just relying on these for the bulkhead attachment. My only addition to Bill's mod' thjerefore will be to fill the "sandwich" with epoxy resin before bolting the whole lot together and thus produce a very stiff, high integrity joint.
I will probably go for a metal (aluminium) backup beam bolted to the existing wooden one as I have access to the necessary manufacturing facilities. Also, it might be worth increasing the bulkhead stiffening as suggested again by Bill.
Finall can I reassure Walt S that I did set up the rig on 'Alkira' whilst she was afloat. I apologise if my e-mail was misleading.
It appears that the rig set up was in general correct. The boom problem is perhaps mainly due to an old, out of shape mainsail.
Regards to all
Frank Fowler, V1775, Liverpool, UK.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]