Moving a Tiderace Bulkhead

[Daker]

Anyone got any experience of moving the bulheads in a Tiderace ?

Ive recently bought a 2nd hand but very new Xplore and can see no reason to waste so much space in the front hatch so may consider moving the bulkhead (Im 5'10" and without measuring guess there to be at least 10" spare in the cockpit).

The question really applies to how these are fitted as they almost look like they are just glued in rather than attached with 2" wide mat and resin as is more often the case. So, can I move it, how do I reattach it, and will it be strong enough to use as a footrest as it does seem rather, ehm, unsubstantial. Im sure this is to allow it to flex but will it take my weight pushing against it once moved ?

Also the bulkhead between cockpit and day hatch seems strangely far back, similar to the way old Capellas used to be ! Now, this would prove very useful when carrying large quantities of water on trips (keeping weight central etc) but for the rest of the time will just hold water if doing rescues and reduce the space in the day hatch.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Chris329a]

I don't know how those are specifically fitted but regardless of that you could easily glass a new one in as long as it isn't directly onto waxed flocoat/gelcoat. I would consider using some marine ply and glassing that in with a good overlap onto the hull to ensure a good bond - then you could use it as a foot brace without worrying. The only caveat is that it is intended to be slightly flexible to avoid stress cracks?

[Mikebelluk]

The one you remove will be too small to fit further back, you will have to make a new bulkhead, which when it is glued/glassed in place as long as its made of a strong enough material will be ok for a footbrace as the pressure of your feet pushes it into a tighter space.

Cheapest option is to make it out of 6mm marine ply, with a coating of epoxy on either side to waterproof it and Sikaflex it in. I did this in my cedar strip boat and its fine after 3 yrs of use.

Or you can make your own fibreglass one which is another story.....If you can measure exactly how far back you want it, Aled may be able to send you the profile from the boat design which saves a lot of pissing around with cardboard and sellotape.

[Aled]

If you can measure exactly how far back you want it, Aled may be able to send you the profile from the boat design...

Yes, happy to oblige, all I would need is a measurement from the bow to the top of the proposed bulkhead, and an internal measurement from the front of the cockpit to the top of the proposed bulkhead. I could print off this cross-section and pop it in the post.

[Daker]

Many thanks Aled,
I'll PM you once Ive paddled the boat a bit more and am happy that I have the correct position.

As an aside, are the RAL colours for the gelcoat listed anywhere at all ?
Just getting ready for the inevitable battle scars in due course ! :-)

(Mine is 2011 Xplore Hard Core, Red over White with the curved bulkhead behind the seat if that helps determine exact colours.)