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The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Has anyone had any experience with removing the bulkheads between the head/sink and V-berth? These have no chain plates attached to them so I am wondering if they are for privacy vs. structure. The boat doesn't have a head or sink installed and being 6'4", the extra V-berth length would be really nice.
Hmmm .... good question and good idea to us the vee berth in this way. First I have no experience doing this, so that’s out of the way. And the mast sits atop the post in the rear bulkhead. It’s very possible that these two bulkheads support or stiffen the cabin top up forward of the mast. Would you extend the flat area at the same height as the vee berth? What would you do with the space underneath? How would you access it? All said, have you ever slept in the vee berth? It’s pretty bouncy when the water is not dead calm. Similar to the quarter berth, you be rocking at anchor. But to take advantage of the additional space, go for it!
Hmmm...that's a structural change...IMHO it just seems prudent to not change it, even if there is no clearly obvious reason for ity's existence. If it were there for just privacy, it wouldn't need to be as structural as it is …???
I seem to recall someone cutting out much of the forward bulkheads while leaving an arch in place underneath the cabin top. Not sure how much material was left or whether a center post was installed to handle loading. It’s definitely possible to experiment removing the bulkheads entirely and checking for flex inside while a 100# person walks on the cabin or while heeling under sail. If a problem is seen you can always replace the bulkheads.
I might ask Gerry Douglas at Catalina, but I'm guessing it would have no significant effect. The forward bulkhead is very close to the forward end of the cabin trunk, which provides its own structural support. I think it was just meant to create a private head (unlike the smaller cousins with porta-potties between the v-berths ). The important support is from the bulkhead with the compression post and the chain-plates, which is very close. There's nothing between that one and the companionway bulkhead, and the cabin-top supports the heavy pop-top and people walking all over it back there.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Voyager, we just sail on a relatively small inland reservoir in Indiana, so we don't get crazy rough water, plus 10 hp motor restrictions so that eliminates a lot of chop. The bulkheads don't seem to be as heavy structurally as the bulkhead aft of the head. I have thought about taking them out and walking around on top to see how it goes. Probably need to convince the admiral to go first since she is a whole lot closer to 100# than I am!! Can do the weight check in stages!
Here's another (with some references to archived threads I didn't seek out).
A variation that could add some leg room for one while retaining a place for a porta-pottie or whatever would be to remove just the starboard side and lengthen that side of the v-berth into the space where many C-25s have a second sink and some owners have made hanging lockers.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Having removed and replaced my bulkheads, I can tell you that they are the same thickness at just 1/2". I am also quite sure that Dave is right about the forward bulkhead not being structural. I also suspect that the main bulkheads are also non structural being only 1/2" with the main source of structural support coming from the mast compression post. I am curious as to the "why" of it all when (if I remember right) the quarter berth is 6'6". Both bunks require just a bit of acrobatics to get in and out of anyway. But if you choose to do it, I can't see any reason why it would hurt anything other than just maybe resale value.
The real structural element is the compression post but also do not discount the upper shroud chainplates. The mast would not stand very long without these and they too are bolted to the bulkhead.
The chain plates are bolted to the aft bulkhead and has nothing to do with the forward bulkhead that you want to remove. I would be more concerned about the forward lower shrouds. They are connected to the deck with backing plates. It's possible the forward bulkhead is needed to support and strengthen the deck against the upward pull of the shroud keeping the deck from being pulled up. Not a structural engineer but something to consider.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
...I would be more concerned about the forward lower shrouds. They are connected to the deck with backing plates. It's possible the forward bulkhead is needed to support and strengthen the deck against the upward pull of the shroud keeping the deck from being pulled up...
It's not clear to me how.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
As said before by others, I would consult with Catalina Yachts before pursing such a project. While most likely not structural as far as rigging is concerned, it may help decrease the possibility of "oil canning" in rough conditions or reduce flex, which could cause other problems, in the deck above.
Peter Bigelow C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick Rowayton, Ct Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT
Hmmm. I doubt Catalina would say that it would be OK to remove a bulkhead just for liability reasons. Dave,The forward shrouds are mounted to the deck between the 2 bulkheads. Both bulkheads are screwed to the deck and again down below. It could be that the 2 bulkheads give strength to that area of the deck similar to rafters in a roof. Downward pressure when you walk on the deck and upward pressure when the boat is heeled over and the shrouds are pulling up. Like I said I'm not a structural engineer but I do know its not a good idea to pull rafters out of my roof
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.