Relocate head compartment

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
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Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2321
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Relocate head compartment

Post by Ixneigh »

Re:flexing. I don’t really know. The boats entirely too flexible in my opinion though. The unsupported hull sides from the cockpit to the dagger board trunk have never sat well with me. I’d love to have another partial bulkhead on the other side, and will eventually, when I redo the sliding galley. The new galley will be anchored to similar partition but not as large. These partitions are glassed in with four to five passes of 10 ounce cloth and are intended to be as strong as the rest of the boat.
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2321
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Relocate head compartment

Post by Ixneigh »

Re:flexing. I don’t really know. The boats entirely too flexible in my opinion though. The unsupported hull sides from the cockpit to the dagger board trunk have never sat well with me. I’d love to have another partial bulkhead on the other side, and will eventually, when I redo the sliding galley. The new galley will be anchored to similar partition but not as large. These partitions are glassed in with four to five passes of 10 ounce cloth and are intended to be as strong as the rest of the boat.
During the course of this project, I have certainly thought of improvements that might be possible, though. I would not recommend doing this project with the particular method I used here. I would instead make a mould for the bulkhead panel and bonding flanges, and then create a pre finished fiberglass panel that could be easily bonded into place with very minimal cosmetic collateral damage. This allows for all finish work to be completed outside the boat, and would offer a much more “factory” appearance. The last is not that important to me, but the former would be welcomed. Once the partition was ready, it could simply be glued in place with a good adhesive marine sealant and probably be as strong as needed. That would be lighter, and use no wood. It could be created and finished with much cheaper polyester based products instead of epoxy.
Better still, just get another boat with the layout you want. That’s the easiest. I only bother to do this stuff because the boats working well for my fairly narrow use case scenario, even within the macgregor class.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Etec 60
South Fl.
OverEasy
Admiral
Posts: 2260
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: NH & SC

Re: Relocate head compartment

Post by OverEasy »

Hi Ixneigh!

Nice work!
Getting something done the first time at all is always a challenge! :) :wink:
Finding better/easier is always a 20/20 hindsight by-product of the first time :D :) and sometimes the second time too! :D :)

That’s why good a experienced R&D Engineer does prototypes (Alphas and Betas) before going into a production design when coming up with a new product for market.

I think you’ve done a really ambitious one-off custom project that looks great as well as being wel thought out! Kudos to you!

Best Regards
Over Easy 8) 8)
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