Adding 1 maybe 2 bulkheads to the deck of my Spectra 24

[SPECTRABRENT]

Has anybody added bulkheads, if so can you post pictures?

Thank you!

Brent

 

[Backlash]

Brent,

Here are a few pictures of my ever-so-slow moving project. The first picture is a rear bulkhead I glassed in quite some time ago. It goes from the stringer and hull bottom up to the bottom side of the gunnel and is glassed in on all sides. I've replaced four of these; two on each side between the dash and the transom. There is still more trimming and glass work needed on each of these.

The next picture is the main bulkhead that I'll be replacing in the near future. This bulkhead is the kick board that's just up underneath the dash. I still need to route over the edges, fit this around the new stringers and cut out a larger opening to gain access up underneath the bow. It too will be glassed around the entire perimeter and on both sides.

I hope these pictures help, even though it's not for a Spectra. The process will be the same regardless of the manufacturer. I'm no expert like Lenmann, but if you have any questions, please let me know. I'll do my best to try and help you out.

 

[SPECTRABRENT]

Thank you!

 

[Backlash]

You motivated me to get a little work done on one of my many projects.

Here is a bulkhead I'm installing on my Howard.

I installed this one as a mirror image to the starboard side of this boat. There are two mini-bulkheads in the cockpit area of this boat, and this is the forward bulkhead on the port side. I cut it to fit snug, with enough pressure in one or two places to simply hold it in place. It isn't forced in there. I squared it up to the stringer in the bottom of the picture and clamped it in place.

 

[Backlash]

Once I got everything where I wanted it, I mixed up some chopped strand glass fibers and some vinylester resin. I worked this concoction into the cracks left between the hullside and the bulkhead.

I filled everything in as best I could on both sides of the bulkhead, front and rear.

 

[Backlash]

I smoothed it all out using a plastic spoon to give me an even radius. Once this cures, I'll go back over it all with a sander and smooth out any high spots. After that, I'll cut out some 1708 cloth, cut it as needed, dry fit it, then run those pieces over all of these seams. I'll do the front and rear as well. After that step, here is what it will look like.

Hopefully this helps out Sir. Like I said earlier, thank you for the motivation!

 

[Backlash]

I forgot to add this.....in the above photograph, it's hard to see exactly where the tabbing begins and ends. For the first layer of tabbing, I usually cut the cloth between 4"-6" in width, depending on where it's going to be installed. The tabbing in the above photograph is about 6" wide, which gives me about 3" on each surface. 3" on the hull side and 3" on the bulkhead. Then you cut it to whatever length you feel is manageable, and trim it to lay flat in curved applications. Depending on the application, you may want to run two layers of tabbing over every corner, with the last layer covering more surface area than the first. If your first layer of tabbing is 6" wide, I would make the second layer at least 8" wide. More if you have the space and the materials. You want to spread out that load over a greater amount of surface area and decrease your chances of having a failure. Hopefully that makes sense and helps. Carry on....

 

[SPECTRABRENT]

This is the bulkhead work done today.
I want to add one more between the front & the new added bulkhead.

Brent

 

[Backlash]

That looks really good! Was there a bulkhead in that same place before, or is this all new? I like how much room you left yourself to access the bow. Nice job Sir!

 

[SPECTRABRENT]

No bulkhead, I added it because these hulls should have built with at least one bulkhead to support the deck.
I will add one more between the new and front bulkhead.
Your work looks good!

Brent

 

[Backlash]

Thank you Sir but I'm just a weekend hack! I wish I had more time to work on my junk. If I did, I might some day become proficient.