Aft bulkhead

Bishop · Post by **Bishop** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:59 am

I had a potential boat surveyed (1977 FBC), and the surveyor noticed some rot on the aft bulkhead (i.e. where the sliding glass door is). My question is two fold; is this bulkhead structural in nature (specifically does it support the flying bridge) and has anyone in the Connecticut area had one professionally replaced? And if so, by whom, and at what price. Thank you again, in advance, for all your help. William

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:25 am

William, This is a common problem with the FBC's as the aft bulkhead sits in a channel at the bottom where water tends to collect. Depending on how far up it goes, you may be able to cut out the rot and splice in new pieces at the bottom. That is what I did this past winter on my 86. As far as it supporting the bridge, I'm sure it does to a certain extent, but depending on how bad it is I'm sure you'd be OK for a season or so. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:04 am

William... I also have a major delam issue with my '83 FBC aft bulkhead. As Doug said, it is a common problem with the FBCs. I always planned on refinishing the cabin interior, which will involve a wood veneer resurfacing of a lot of the cabin interior, so my plan is to remove the interior surface of the bulkhead (I want to keep the exterior surface intact if I can), cut out all the delaminated area (and maybe rotted?) area, and replace with either plywood or one of the lighter weight manmade panel materials. Then resurface the interior as I had originally planned. BTW: I have delam issues on both sides of my sliding door. The area under the stbd window is fairly small, the area on the port side extends all the way up to the bottom of the sliding glass window! If I tap the outer surface there is a noticable seperation of the outer surface from the wood core, but the core sounds solid and strong. If I don't find rot when I cut away the interior surface I will rethink how to cure the delam issue. Gotta find out what I have to deal with first. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:55 am

I have a 1988 FBC and the bottom of my bulkhead had rot along the bottom. I cut the rot out, it was only 2 inches high along the bottom. Then I spliced in a new piece of wood. My interior is oak so I used a piece of oak baseboard to cover up the splice on the inside and made a trim board out of 1/4 inch starboard to cover up the splice on the outside. It looks like it came this way from the factory. If your rot does not go very high up the rear bulkhead this is an easy way to fix it and doesn't look bad. Buzz Buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:48 am

I pretty much did the same thing that Buzz did except that my rot went up about 6 inches on each side of the door. I spliced in new 3/4 inch marine plywood and used solid fiberglass on the outside and teak on the inside. Once it was complete, I prepped the entire outside of the bulkhead and painted the entire bulkhead. It also looks like it came from the factory (inside and out). I could not be happier. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:55 am

As I said above.. I am not sure where my rot ends and just delamination begins. I assume there is rot at the bottom.. but haven't cut anything yet. (I am going to finish trimming out my house before I start working on the boat here!). I am surprised that the delam under the port window shows all the way to the windor frame.. but when I push the loose skin in against the core and tap it it sounds solid, just seperated. Did you guys find mushy rot at the bottom? I am not sure what I should expect.. just that whatever it is it won't be good! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:35 am

Frank, I cut out the bottom of my bulkheads 4 years ago. After an entire winter under shrinkwrap, they were STILL saturated with water & total mush. I used a Rotozip to cut from the inside up about 6". Left the outside Formica alone. Let everything dry out & then glassed in new epoxy coated ply. Faired in everything inside & painted. Outside used a piece of teak. Your delam up to the window MAY be from water leaking down the window frame. Al

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:54 am

My rot was from the bottom up. All is solid beneath the window frames (knock on wood)! Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Bishop · Post by **Bishop** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:13 am

Gentlemen, I was just wondering if anyone has any pictures of their handy work in repairing any aft bulkhead rot? Secondly, is it possible to match the original interior wall material, or do I have to get "creative" with the material selection? As always, thank you for all your help. William

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:33 am

William, I do not have any pics. As far as matching the inside, it all depends on what your inside is made of. Al's was formica, mine was teak, Gene's was oak. Why don't you take a ride up to Brewer's Marina in Plymouth Mass on Sat as there will be a few to look at. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:41 am

I called High Tide and they gave me a name to contact and shipped me the Teak that matched my Bertram.