23 MA Anchor Locker Bulkhead project and template

[joshmon71]

Had some wiring of new spotlight and bow light, and while resting on the anchor locker forward bulkhead with my shoulders and head up in there, it sort of gave way on bottom of door frame, the bottom piece being mulchy and held 2gether mainly by the paint very well coulda been orginal bulkhead. I forced it out with 3 beers, 1 rubber mallet, and judicious use of a sawz-all. glass and wood chips taste like chicken. got it out in 2 pieces with only a small area missing at bottom of door. If anyone wants me to draw up a template for them holler out while I still got it.

I had a moment of panic, when the beer ran out, and when I realized this was not going back in 1 piece w/o taking cap off, which is not about to happen. found stricks post where he used 3/8 starboard and managed to fit it in. Tracked down a 24x57 custom cut sheet from thecuttingboard.com in PA, 80 clams, and had them cut the door as well 13x17 for 13 clams. hard to locate 3/8" starboard it seems.



Major battle, but I won last eve. Now the rebuild starts .
2 shots showing the bulkhead, and one of the winter console work with analog merc gauges fed via digital merc monitor .

the round looking puck on top of cap is a removable spotlight attachment set-up. ran out of wiring clips as you see hanging down, on order from genuinedealz.com. spotlight needs the male/female clips, and doing same for LED bow light as not sure how tight my new bulkhead will be.

[BigLew]

Hey Josh,

While you have the bulkhead out, why not pull the bow eye/U-bolt and reseat/rebed/replace. I think I see some discoloration which might be corrosion on the inside of the hull.

Just my 2cents.

[joshmon71]

good eye! the discoloration is due to a piece of metal i was using as backing plate that was not stainless. bolt is new last year...

[Blue197320]

i want a template please!!

[Alanj]

I would very much like a template. Can you let me know what you need from me.

Alan

[Capt Chuck]

Here's 10 easy steps that might help

1.) Make your template
2.) Buy 3/4" PVC Board (Sign Shops have it)(forget starboard, can't seal it, paint it & it warps)
3.) Draw your wall
4.) Draw & Cut the Door
5.) Cut the wall in half (Verticle)
6.) Install with (4200 & (2) s/s screws (inside each piece)
7.) Patch with fairing compound and sand the verticle cuts
8.) Paint entire wall & door to match your boat
9.) Use a piano hinge and latch
10.) Done

[joshmon71]

Thanks Chuck! I will need to mull this over, I already ordered the 3/8 starboard , and was hoping to 1 piece it in. However if I fail that way, will do your method. PVC being expanded not as dense as HPDE starboard, def needs to be painted...gets dirty in marine environs, side note it can be glued with PVC glue as well. I could source that at the lumber yard maybe but have to check the widths availible, Azek is 1 brand, needs to be 28.5" width to do 2 pieces(57" is my measure at widest)

I was hoping to make the starboard relatively non warping with the screws on inside into the bottom side of the deck retaining ring thing , plus 1 in each upper corner on console facing side into what looks like an old deck support. these are out of sight unless you look up.

I will hit the local staples prob early next week and grab some poster board, should be easy enough to use as a template, and will mail it out, PM with address for those whom need one. I'll let ya know post facto what costs me to mail and buy the template board. labor free .

-Josh