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Starboard cockpit side strength

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10timesSaltier
1st Mate

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80 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/01/2003 : 22:58:19

I'm wanting to put a Beckson opening hatch in the starboard side of the cockpit for ventilation of the aft berth. I have cut into this side of the cockpit before for installation of a Morse engine control unit and found the fiberglass to consist of (from outside in) about 3/16"-1/4" thickness for the cockpit liner, followed by a 3/4" air space, then another 3/16" fiberglass for the cabin liner.

My question is this: Does anyone know how to determine if a 10" wide x 4" tall cutout for the Beckson hatch in the starboard side of the cockpit would create a strength problem? How do I determine how many holes in fiberglass are too many holes?

Thanks in advance,

Brian.
Great Salt Lake (10-times saltier than the ocean)
"SAFARI", C25 TR-FK #2275

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2003 : 23:16:55

One of the regulars on this forum, Ed Montague I think, has installed a 10" x 20" Bomar inspection hatch on the Port side of the cockpit to allow easier access to the Lazarette. He told me that as far as he could tell, the hatch does not weaken the cockpit bench. His hatch is a lot bigger than the one you are planning to install, so it sounds like you will probably be okay.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 03:54:05

Brian,

Why not consider putting an opening window there? The area could definitely use the extra light.

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com
<i>Abacus'</i>: http://www.comhertz.com/abacus

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 09:49:43

Hi Brian,

I did what Albert suggested ... I put a portlight there. It is screened on the outside, and it can be opened from the inside. It really added lots of light to the quarterberth, and it helps with the ventilation, too.

I found the construction of the wall to be just as you described. I don't think adding the portlight weakened it ... it fact, it might even have made it more rigid.

The worst part about installing the portlight was getting it to fit. Since the tool locker is just above that space, its depth restricts the amount of vertical space you've got to work with. I had to do some surgery on the top of the portlight frame inside the quarterberth ... I cut off about a quarter inch of it ... but now it fits like it was made for that spot.

I'm really glad I did it, even though I made up some new curse words trying to get it to fit. BTW, you can get a good deal on a portlight on eBay if you are patient ... that's where I got this one. Here's how it looks:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dd23b3127cce94a68cd1832b0000001610" border=0>

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2003 : 12:44:48

Buz: I was about to ask whether you had any trouble with snow and ice in the cockpit with that port against the sole... Then I checked your location... <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle> Up here, I think I'd install it further forward so I could raise it a little, but that's not a priority for this year.

Brian, the frame of the inspection port or portlight will add at least as much strength as the hole takes away, and I'm pretty convinced the hole will take away virtually nothing.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - dave bristle on 03/02/2003 12:47:01

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10timesSaltier
1st Mate

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80 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2003 : 16:35:52

Thanks everyone for the input.

I'm going to go for it. Thanks for the pics Buzz.

Brian.
Great Salt Lake (10-times saltier than the ocean)
"SAFARI", '81 C25 TR-FK #2275

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2003 : 01:57:07

I did the same thing as Buzz only I reused the sliding port that I had replaced in the head. The darned thing was just laying around in my shop so I rebuilt it and installed it. So far no leaks after 3 years. The construction of the starboard cockpit wall is as discribed. The port side where I installed the hatch is just one thickness.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2da34b3127cce9d353b8852e20000004610" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2da34b3127cce9d3539fed3a50000004610" border=0>
Please excuse the mess.<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2da34b3127cce9d3539c2d3990000004611" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2da34b3127cce9d3539d152ba0000004610" border=0>

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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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.