Helm Bulkhead Cutaway on the 25

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:43 am Post subject: Helm Bulkhead Cutaway on the 25

Some of us had been talking about cutting away the left area of the hem bulkhead for quite a while. At the Friday Harbor CBGTG we got to see what it looks like after Jim and Laurie of Laurna Jo performed this surgery to theirs. I will have to say that it really opens up the V berth both for ease of entry and air circulation. It also makes the interior visually more spacious. This is pretty much how the Tomcat looks out of the factory. So next to do it a few days ago was Pat on Daydream. I did mine yesterday. Took about an hour. I removed the momentary wiper switch, sissy bar, and an extra 12V plug that I had previously installed. Then some plastic taped up to keep the dust contained and about 15 minutes with the roto drill a two bits and it was out. The thickness of the main area of the partition is 1/2". Patti has found some 1/2" edge trim that will finish of the edges as they looked before and should match the rest of the edging. The remaining shelf is supported on the port side by the remaining 10-12" of the bulkhead and one of the bolts at the bottom. And it is well attached all along the top under the windows.

These three boats were purchased together at one sit down at the 2005 Seattle Boat Show.

If privacy is an issue a simple curtain could be made by any canvas maker to replace the one that originally came with the boat. (The one that we have never used in 5 years) We just curtain the whole boat at night.

I put three pictures in my album under Upgrades (page 2).

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject:

Very nice. Looks more like a TC255 except it still goes to a "point" in the bow! Laughing

Charlie

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 5:13 pm Post subject:

Yes, that is a problem. We are working on a solution.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject:

I have the perfect solution! Mr. Green

http://sunboar.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/cone-head-aliens.jpg?w=425&h=312

Charlie

Doryman · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:14 am Post subject:

Your topic says "25" but this is about the 16, no?

Warren

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:04 am Post subject:

Don't think so Warren. Both David and Pat did their 16's quite some time ago.

Charlie

bburgin · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:43 am Post subject: bulkhead cut out

I did mine on the 22 made a huge difference, just spent 16 days on the boat,

Doryman · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:56 pm Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject:

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject:

Patti found it Go2Marine.com.

SKU Description Quantity Price Each Amount
163152 1/2" x 19/32" Flexible Vinyl Trim - 25' Black 1 53.58 53.58

We are going to split the 25". Probably only need 8" to re-edge the whole opening.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject:

David, that looks good - you do nice work!

westward · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:14 am Post subject:

Nice job. You know, I hated the narrow cuddy entry on our 22's, and I really hate the storage access on our 16 Angler. I always used to bash my elbows in the 22's, and the storage compartment on my 16 seems like a "hole into which things get thrown". I've been poring over the photos of your past 16 Angler bulkhead mods and I'm ready to fire up the Dremel. I think the change will be transformative. Thanks for the inspiration. I believe W. Marine has rolls of that Taco edge material as well. Best, Mike.

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:20 am Post subject:

Susan and I have talked about this for the 27. not to get in and out but to allow her to turn around at the table and face forward with a place to put her feet. we would only need to cut out about two feet worth. She misses the forward facing seat of the 22 and this would be the easist way to achive a forward facing seat.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:23 am Post subject:

Steady Eddy.

I am not sure that a Dremel would be up for the job. I used a rotodrill and still went through three bits. P[at used a saber saw I think. The bulkhead on the 25 for the most part is 1/2" thick. However you do it, get it marked with a pencil and go slow, stay right on the line and you can get a nice straing edge. Then 1/2" dege trim will cover the edge when you are through. I left the existing edge on the starboard edge and the top of the existing entryway. There will be a transition from the newly cut 1/2" to the existing 1/4" which when left edged with the 1/4" hopefully will be 1/2" OD and I am hoping that I can put the 1/2" right over the 1/4" and have the whole opening continuous with the new edgeing.

Westward: I don't think WM has any the is 1/2". They do have 1/4 in both white and black. Check and see what you will need for the 22. I could be anything from 1/4" to 1/2" depending on what or if they cored the bulkhead for regidity.

westward · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 9:43 am Post subject:

David, sent you a PM seeking more detail on the 16 Angler. Thanks, Mike.