Offshore Ginger Bulkhead question.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

My next project is to replace the cabin floor in my old 10 meter. I found the lower part of the bulkheads on each end or in need of repair too. I intend to remove all the horizontal surfaces in the cabin and repair everything before replacing the top surfaces with balsa panels.

My question is can I consider replacing the lower sections of bulkheads and stringers under the V berth with balsa panels too. Or should I just install marine ply instead. Is there something better to use? I intend to add pvc tubes it allow better drainage in everything that is hidden so there should be no worry of it getting and staying wet again.

Thanks in advance.

[Offshore Ginger]

My next project is to replace the cabin floor in my old 10 meter. I found the lower part of the bulkheads on each end or in need of repair too. I intend to remove all the horizontal surfaces in the cabin and repair everything before replacing the top surfaces with balsa panels.

My question is can I consider replacing the lower sections of bulkheads and stringers under the V berth with balsa panels too. Or should I just install marine ply instead. Is there something better to use? I intend to add pvc tubes it allow better drainage in everything that is hidden so there should be no worry of it getting and staying wet again.

Thanks in advance.

Jim personally i would stick with the original build and use ply instead because i am kinda of a keep it simple stupid kinda guy unless it is a very high end boat . Jim , the pvc is a very good idea to allow better drainage and to bad they did not do that in the original build . Jim . the 10 meter and the 8 meter are some of my all time favorite's for those years .

[imco offshore]

hey ya want me to send you some energy drink,,sounds like your going to need it,,be carefull, good luck,,

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Thanks Artie. I have installed the balsa panels on floors on numerous customers boats over the years. I want to do it to mine too. Aside from the cost is there any reason why I shouldn't do the vertical pieces in the forward section of the cabin?

Does Skater still make their stringers out of Balsa and foam composite? I know they did about 10 years ago on the V's I worked on.

I always wanted an 10 Meter. I intend to systematically go through the entire boat. The cabin this winter and the engine compartment next winter.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

hey ya want me to send you some energy drink,,sounds like your going to need it,,be carefull, good luck,,

I have done so many for other people I actually look forward to doing my own. As soon as I get it back on the trailer the cabin is coming out and the diamond wheel will be spinning. Got a full house squirrel cage fan with a 10" flex duct waiting to get a work out. It works like a giant vacuum hanging in from the deck hatch.

[imco offshore]

i have a couple of ac take outs ,let me know if you need another

[Offshore Ginger]

Thanks Artie. I have installed the balsa panels on floors on numerous customers boats over the years. I want to do it to mine too. Aside from the cost is there any reason why I shouldn't do the vertical pieces in the forward section of the cabin?

Does Skater still make their stringers out of Balsa and foam composite? I know they did about 10 years ago on the V's I worked on.

I always wanted an 10 Meter. I intend to systematically go through the entire boat. The cabin this winter and the engine compartment next winter.

Jim , please excuse me if i sound rude but..........Skater has never made there engine stringers out of Balsa and Foam , in fact it has always been wood and still is done this way today with ...... the exception of other stringers being built out of other composites . Jim , to make sure i was not misleading you or any body in anyway , i called a friend who i share most of the gas tank repair's with who is employed at skater as a laminator just to be sure that i have my Ducks in a row .Jim , besides the cost there is no reason why you shouldn't replace the vertical piecs in the foward cabin if you like and to tell you the truth 100 % of the time when i answer question's of this nature .... $$ cost is a major factor and with that in mind i try to keep it real my friend ,

[Offshore Ginger]

i have done so many for other people i actually look forward to doing my own. As soon as i get it back on the trailer the cabin is coming out and the diamond wheel will be spinning. Got a full house squirrel cage fan with a 10" flex duct waiting to get a work out. It works like a giant vacuum hanging in from the deck hatch.

ha ha ha ,

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Artie, Thank you for your responses. I know the stringers around the engine rails are plywood. It is the rest of them I was referring too.

I plan to cut out the existing horizontal pieces as if I would reinstall them. Inspect all hidden areas and vertical pieces. At that time I will see exactly how much material I need. I will use the old horizontal pieces to pattern. I am thinking I will be able to use the remaining panel cut offs to replace the forward most vertical sections which are now 1/4 or 3/8 ply.

I will see soon. Hopefully start the 3rd week in January.

Thanks again.

[smdude]

Jim, been following you this forum, I also love the 10 meter. Look like we have the same problem. There is ours. Good luck. Harry

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Harry, Nice am not going to update mine just restore. I haven't confirmed how the water gets in yet. I have sealed the bow light and suspect the lifting eye lets water in. It would collect under where the porti potty use to be. The hatch had a leak at some point that allowed water to collect outside the stringer under the closet. Than the floor has drains under the fuel tanks but the bow isn't high enough on the trailer to allow it to drain. All of these issues will be corrected this winter. Next winter I want to raise the drives to the rail. First things first.

Thanks for sharing the pix. Is yours an '85 too?

[smdude]

Its a 83. I just love the lines of the early Fountains. Good luck again!

[Offshore Ginger]

Jim you do know that you will have to keep this thread alive with updates and pics .

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I got the cabin stripped out. It appears the bow cleat/ lifting eye has been leaking most of its life. The water would get in and get trapped at the anchor locker bulkhead. It eventually weeped through and would lay on the forward section of the V berth. There were no drains anywhere forward of the lounge area. As a result every piece of wood from the bow to fuel tank in the center V of the boat is dust. Nothing was broken. I will post some pix this week. I am going to need 5 sheets of rigid panels to replace everything as needed. Where is the best place to buy rigid panels? I used to buy from Oceana in Annapolis but they have been bought out and no longer offer what I need.

[2112]

i just love the lines of the early fountains.

+1

.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

This is what I am left to work with after removing stages of rot do to constant exposure to a small amount of moisture over a long time. The hard part was half of what I was removing at the end was generally good structure.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

Some of the varying states of rot include dust, mulch, slimy, slimy with white funk. Just white funk, been wet no funk.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

That is it for now.

[old377guy]

nuthin' pretty about that except your stellar craftmanship of course

[imco offshore]

dang,,,,,, Jimmy going deep,!! looks like your going to have a great boat when done,, call me if you want the router,,( i don,t use it your welcome to it)