Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra *LINK* *PIC*

Posted By: Mike Dolan
Date: Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 11:01 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra (JP)

Jay jay,

I've been sharing some pics with a few others and I am not so sure I did not share all of this with you already, but incase I haven't...

There is nothing better then a marine grade plywood/fiberglass composite for the bulkheads... Light, strong, inexpensive and it will last forever.

I used 1/2" marine grade for the bulkheads below the water aft of the engines.

Mahagonny would be an excellent choice for the deck joists and supporting structure. Mahagonny decking is easy to find in the states, because it is often used for home deck surfaces. When buying decking it is a little more expensive as it is finished but it comes in a variety of lengths and cross sections.

Unfortunately expanded PVC board is a bad choice for just about anything structural. You can barely get a number 12 sheet metal fasterner to bite in it. Lumber is tough and light. When treated and installed properly it will out last any of these boats.

I would also recommend using fiberglass angles for your joints. This is an inexpensive way to make bullet proof joints that can easily be disassembled. I think it is worth thinking about the next guy that will have to pull things apart to repair or replace something. There is nothing worse then having to remove 3" fasterners that someone burried into a piece of mahoganny 20 years ago.

Here are some pics of the LightningShack as it went through a below the deck cockpit makeover last winter.

Good luck,

LightningShack

Messages In This Thread

Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subframe
jay jay soares -- Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 7:14 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
Chiles -- Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 7:44 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
JP -- Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 7:58 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra *LINK* *PIC*
Mike Dolan -- Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 11:01 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra *LINK* *PIC*
Mike Dolan -- Tuesday, 24 January 2006, at 11:06 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
Alan Ormond -- Wednesday, 25 January 2006, at 7:36 a.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra *PIC*
Mike Dolan -- Wednesday, 25 January 2006, at 8:22 a.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
Carl -- Wednesday, 25 January 2006, at 12:19 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
captdana -- Wednesday, 25 January 2006, at 1:12 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
Carl -- Wednesday, 25 January 2006, at 3:15 p.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra *PIC*
Capt. Dave Kosh -- Thursday, 26 January 2006, at 10:36 a.m.

Re: Best material for bulkheads and cockpit subfra
druck -- Thursday, 26 January 2006, at 11:14 a.m.

Re;tuna door
john shortill -- Monday, 6 February 2006, at 9:58 a.m.