Triton Bulkhead modification

[bcooke]

I have been toying with something for awhile now. But I just can't make up my mind. My skilsaw is itching to go but I just don't know...



In the original setup, the aft bulkhead on the starboard side defined the aft end of the hanging locker space and the forward end of the saloon.

I don't have a hanging locker. I have a top loading icebox. The bulkhead serves no real purpose anymore other than to make the icebox area feel cramped.

What I am wondering is if I cut out the upper part of the bulkhead as shown will I be improving the look or detracting from it. The area between the bulkheads is narrow and cramped. Making the cut will open up that area on top of the icebox. It will also open up the head area making it appear less private. Of course the head space isn't in any way private so why hide the fact.

Also, I can't decide if making the cut will make the saloon look longer, or if your eye will go to the forward bulkhead making the V-berth look closer.

This cut will play optical tricks and I am not sure if it would be good or bad.

Any architects or otherwise knowledgeable people out there care to comment?

Note: the little piece that makes the 'nook' is long gone and won't be coming back. I like the look.

Note 2: I have a small solid fuel heater on that bulkhead which I will be lowering a bit but otherwise re-installing. The stovepipe will still go straight to the cabin top. I plan on a post on the corner of the settee so that the tendency will be to grab it rather than the stovepipe.

Why mount a stove on the icebox you ask?... good question. A compromise issue. I hope as the need for one increases the need for the other decreases and the two won't interfere too much in their respective operations. Not an ideal arrangement but there you have it. I might give up the whole icebox area (and park near Tim and Nathan so I can have ice in my drinks) and use the former icebox area as a nice storage bin for a whole season's worth of clothes storage.

[Tim]

That bulkhead serves no structural purpose to the deck, so make the cut. I think your reasoning is sound and it makes sense with your icebox location and will greatly improve access.

A curtain and curved track for the head provides the same amount of privacy as the bulkhead. There are no secrets on a Triton.

[bcooke]

This cut will play optical tricks and I am not sure if it would be good or bad.

Any architects or otherwise knowledgeable people out there care to comment?

[Figment]

One wonders why you wouldn't make the same cut on the port bulkhead.

The optical tricks will be fine. The saloon will look longer, but only for the first hour or so, until your perception adjusts. Lots of boats have used this trick. The Northeast 38 leaps to mind. (EDIT: or am I thinking of the CC Apache?)

Well, actually what it will do is highlight the change in the overhead plane. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I'm just throwing it out there for the sake of academia.

[bcooke]

Finally some free professional advice :-)

One wonders why you wouldn't make the same cut on the port bulkhead.

For the illusion of privacy in the head.
I like to sit with my feet on the settee and my back against that port side bulkhead.
The space between port bulkheads is not as narrow therefore not as annoying.
The starboard cut would make the counterop surface on the icebox that little bit more accessible and useful.
The cut would help warm air circulate from the stove (at the moment it tends to block warm air traveling forward.

That, and it never really occured to me.

The saloon will look longer, but only for the first hour or so

Well, that hardly seems worth it. I wonder if in the long run it will actually make the whole interior feel smaller with fewer visual breaks. I also wonder if it visually brings out the head and makes it more prominent somehow.

Well, actually what it will do is highlight the change in the overhead plane.

Umm... yeah.

Thanks! :-)

[Rachel]

I think it will look great. Note: Not an architect, although I have made similar "adjustments" to cabin walls (land type).

What I find nice about this sort of thing is the... well I can't think of the right word, but maybe "texture" that it ads to the space. In other words it's not as if you removed the whole bulkhead, and not as if you left as a complete wall - it's better. With a cutout you get the interest of changing angles and views. Maybe one reason Dutch doors are nice. I'd always rather have an office with a partial wall or a window for the same reason. (Maybe I'll think of a better way to express this and edit my post later, as it's not going all that well...)

If the bit you leave on the inboard edge is small enough, like a post, it would make a great handhold when walking past or when reaching into the icebox with the other hand (you are left-handed, right?). Then you wouldn't have to grab the stovepipe ;)

Oh, and of course more air flow is always better, so that's another good reason to do it.

Cut!

Rachel

[Tim]

Enough talk. Did you cut it yet? Where are the pictures? ;<)

[bcooke]

Today I was busy making my sub-sole solid so my VIP guest doesn't fall into the bilge tomorrow.

After all that epoxy was spread around I thought I really shouldn't be walking on it.

[Rachel]

Where all the action might happen, pretty soon.... ---> http://triton680.blogspot.com/

;D

[suntreader]

I say go for it. My Islander has a cut away bulkhead on the port side similar to what you are proposing. The galley runs along the port side rather than a settee.

It will open things up.

David

[bcooke]

The icebox top is only on there for the photo. Because of the better access I was able to raise the top a few inches and still be able to reach the bottom easily.

[Figment]

sah-WEET!!! that deck beam takes on a whole new role!

[Rachel]

I love it -- that is just so cool!

I'm going to cut out parts of my boat!

And change what I said above:

"Where all the action did happen, and looks mahvelous.... ---> http://triton680.blogspot.com/"

That just rocks :)

R.

[Jason K]

Wow, that looks better than I thought it would - and I thought it would look pretty good. Very nice.

[bcooke]

I didn't expect the mast beam to take on its new role but I agree that I like it. I will definitely be cleaning up the beam and posts and varnishing. Should look okay with the cherry faced bulkheads I have planned.

I almost like ithe new look so much to take out the bulkhead on the other side for an unobstructed view of the entire beam. Unfortunately, that would leave the sitters on the head feeling a bit more exposed so I won't do it. Not that one is in a very private place up there but being surrounded by bulkheads helps I think.

Now I just have to figure out how to dress up the headliner over the icebox...

[Tim]

Unfortunately, that would leave the sitters on the head feeling a bit more exposed so I won't do it. Not that one is in a very private place up there but being surrounded by bulkheads helps I think.

The illusion of privacy is privacy.

[bcooke]

That little gem borders on philosophy. Who knew how academicly enlightening this whole boat restoration project would become :-)

[MikeD]

Now I just have to figure out how to dress up the headliner...

How about something like this? ;)

[Zach]

Britton... You've done good.

That looks great!

P.S. You'll have to load down that ice box to give the proper Triton starboard book shelf list... (Grin)

[bcooke]

How about something like this? ;)

Everyone is just so helpful around here...

:-)

[Triton 185]

Britton.....looks great and I thought I had my interior layout figured out. How about putting an architectural window in on the head bulkhead? Something to allow you to see parts of the beam on the other side and create some balance to the visual depth.

Nice work!

[Rachel]

I didn't expect the mast beam to take on its new role but I agree that I like it.... I almost like ithe new look so much to take out the bulkhead on the other side for an unobstructed view of the entire beam.

I know your boat isn't only about dramatic effect, but I think that I prefer the look of the beam "disappearing" behind the bulkhead. It draws the eye and makes it look more intriguing, and perhaps even more spacious because you don't "know" what's back there.

I think if you opened the whole thing up it would lose that, and would just feel more like "Oh, yeah, the cabin goes forward and then there's a beam. Yawn." A small window or cutout might be nice though.

I know I sound all psychological here, but I think there might be something to this.

I sure do like it. I still think it might be nice with a post at the inboard corner, but I like it as-is also.

Rachel

[Figment]

What she said.

Your eyes don't need to SEE the other side of the beam. Your mind fills in that blank because it remembers that you're on a boat, knows the boat is symmetrical, and assumes the symmetry of the beam.

As far as a post on the inboard corner... I dunno. That corner will become a natural handhold, so you might as well put something there to grab, but I don't know that a full post is necessary.

[bcooke]

Thanks everyone.

Before I made the cut I was thinking about a post for a handhold. Now that I have seen the effect I don't think I will. If I put the bulkhead stove back in then I probably should install a post to keep hands off the stovepipe but that stovepipe is going to do nothing for the look and I may just leave forget the stove; or leave it off until I have a real need for it. Or just hope I have the sense so that when the boat lurches I won't grab the stovepipe. The stove won't be used while the boat is rolling around anyway. Dunno on that one.

One change effects everything else and while I may think I have it all figured out, every little change ripples through all of my previously solid plans.

[Rachel]

... ripples through all of my previously solid plans.

You didn't actually think.... solid plans...? Hee.

Rachel

:still loving that you cut that panel out:

[MikeD]

I'll join the chorus - looks great Britton.

Here's a similar type cutout from a smaller boat. (Tucker 23). It really does add nice "space" to the interior.

[Zach]

Idea...

Wonder if one of those two rung hand holds would go on the ceiling without crowding anything? (Could double up with the same holes through the deck with one on the outside too.)

(Would come in extra handy if you have a lavac, and someone thats uninitiated flushes before having sufficient cheek clearance...)

[feetup]

Britton;

How about trimming the cut with a healthy bullnose, with a gracefull hand hold built in? Teak? Cherry? Walnut?

Tim (Feetup)

[Zach]

Britton,

I came back to stare in awe...

Question:
How much would you guess the chunk of bulkhead weighed?

Thanks

Zach

[bcooke]

The bulkhead is 3/4" fir plywood.

The cut is (roughly) 2.639 cubic feet.

I'd guess about 2 pounds but I can't find an actual weight per cubic foot to quote from.

[Zach]

Thanks.