replacing bulkheads

stone · Post by **stone** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:05 pm

When replacing bulkheads do you remove and replace asap or can I remove bulkhead take it back to my shop cut new one come back in a couple of days and reinstall. This will be the two aft bulkheads. The current bulkheads are 1/2" is this okay or should I use 5/8 or 3/4?(30ft.boat offshore trips planned) Boat is on the hard, mast down and their are no jackstands in this area.I would also like to move the middle bulkhead aft about a foot. Is this do able?thanks-thomas

Post by **Tim** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:04 pm

More info on your boat and the layout of the bulkheads would be handy in order to provide a truly helpful answer. There's not necessarily a generic answer that will fit all boats or all scenarios.

Some hulls may move when the support of a bulkhead is removed. Others will not. Other interior components and the deck structure will typically help the hull retain its shape, but without temporary support it's probably best to plan on replacing the bulkhead as soon as you can--though it doesn't necessarily have to be immediate.

Again, more details on your plans and the situation at hand could help.

stone · Post by **stone** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:15 pm

Chris Craft Capri 30(S&S)1965 11740 LWL25 Interior is stripped ,just thought it was a good time to re-place since I am getting ready to redo coach roof so I can fit entire bulkheads below without cutting. Plan was to remove starboard aft tomorrow cut a new one at my shop then re-install the next day. So would be without bulkhead one day. Would re-peat the other ones the same way. I can take an inside pic tomorrow to better explain the middle one I want to move aft. -thanks thomas

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:20 pm

As Tim has said, more info is needed to give good advice. But as to moving a bulkhead; if it is a structural one I wouldn't move it. The designer felt it belonged there. Unless you know for sure that the loads it supports can be compensated for in the new location you may be looking for trouble.

Post by **Tim** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:26 am

Midships bulkheads are often some of the more critical structural elements in a boat. I'd be wary of moving it without knowing the ramifications of such a move. Midships bulkheads are typically part of the necessary support structure for mast and rigging; these sorts of bulkheads can't be moved. A picture and an idea of your intended layout would help understand your plans.

That said, it is possible to move a bulkhead. But you need a good understanding of the general strength of your hull and the other elements of the structural design before you do so. Moving these structural elements around without this understanding can get you into trouble fast.

The hull form of your Capri will likely have little trouble supporting itself for a day without one of the bulkheads in place. Be sure the boat is properly supported all around before removing any structure. One at a time is the way to go, and using the old one as a template is helpful.

stone · Post by **stone** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:38 pm

This turned out to be pretty easy. I was worrying over nothing really as the hull had no problems without the bulkhead. I have an email into S&S about the midship bulkhead. I had thought I had read somewhere there was a 10% margin with the bulkheads and changing location. Re-installed this aft one today . Thanks again -thomas

Post by **Tim** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:49 pm

Looks good. Thanks for the photos!