Going to replace the bulkheads on my 96 248 Voyager. Any recommendations on material to use? Was thinking a 3/4” synthetic material but open to suggestions.
Bulkhead replacement
- Thread starter fordfisherman
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Sure. But another line of thinking is that if you do a good job with marine ply, it will likely last longer than the stuff that is in there now. Personally, I didn't hesitate to use wood when I did my floor and bulkheads.
Just helped a friend rehab (entire floor, all 4 stringers, bulkheads, etc) a 1979 Mastercraft and used all wood there, too - and I KNOW we did a better job than the factory did in 1979!
Just helped a friend rehab (entire floor, all 4 stringers, bulkheads, etc) a 1979 Mastercraft and used all wood there, too - and I KNOW we did a better job than the factory did in 1979!
Hookup1
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Plywood is ok for now but you should look for a long term fix. "Done right done once!". Composites are best for now. Nothing will last longer and be more reasonably priced than Marine Starboard. for cosmetic panels.
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Just to be sure; You want to replace ALL bulkheads, both below and above the deck? That's a big job. Marine Plywood is perfectly OK as long as it is pre-sealed with resin before glassing. Composite by itself is 'fragile and flexible. It gets its rigidity from fiberglass skins.
I guess you inspected your aft stringers. That is where issues often arise as is also the case with the transom.
Oh, that's totally different. It originally sounded like you were replacing the structural bulkheads below the floor. That changes things. Pretty much everything we typed above is a waste of typing
In THIS case, go with either HDPE or expanded PVC board.
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Denko
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I did this job on my rig a few years back, same as yours it was rotted almost all the way across and between 1-3" up. I used 3/4" marine ply and covered both sides with laminate like from the factory. On the off chance that I'll have the boat long enough for it to happen again I sealed all exposed edges with epoxy. Quite an undertaking!
Fishtales
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I was able to get all the backside material out and get to the backside of the glass. I went with Coosa board and glassed it in. It really came out nice and has stood up over the last 5 years. I'd recommend it.
Pretty big job to say the least. I’m almost done. Wound up using a 3/4 PVC sheet. Biggest issue was the old plywood just fell apart making it hard to use as a template for the new pieces. Lining up all the holes so that the hardware could be reattached proved to be quite a challenge as well. She’s good for the next 30 years lol!