Bulkhead between engine room and rear cockpit.

[captbuddy]

Can someone tell me what kind of material was used for the bulkhead that directly behind the water tank I the engine room. It appears to be some type of plywood with some type of slick white finish on both sides. It only appears to be about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. I just found a small section of it that was rotted on inside. It’s a 1978 Prairie # 29. I appreciate your help. Thanks James

 

[C lectric]

I do not know your boat at all but it sounds somewhat like mine. Mine is locally built and launched in 1977.

Some years ago I fiberglassed the forward bulkhead as water accumulated there..
It was still solid, whew.

THe plywood aft bulkhead is dry. It is done in three pieces. The two parts to the sides are glassed into place and don't contact the bilge. THe centre part is removeable but it too is not fiberglassed but it does not come fully down to the bilge floor. There is water present though which runs forward. It was screwed into place which I changed to aluminum , 3/16" thick by about 2" wide and floor to ceiling, bolted into place using 4 bolts each side. The aluminum strips are screwed into place on both sides. I have had occasion needed to remove that part of the bulkhead for easier access to the various pipe, hoses, cables as my boat is now old enough it needs that work.

To yours now, I would examine it closely for any more rot. Remove the rot, then soak the remaining part of the bottom edge with an antirot fluid and then glass it but not permanently , rather so it can be removed as I did above.
Or get a new piece of plywood that fits with an overlap onto each side , coat it with fiberglass and when that sets then bolt it.

I would suggest strongly that this piece be made removeable keeping the bottom about 2" above the bilge..
Just what I did.

 

[captbuddy]

I do not know your boat at all but it sounds somewhat like mine. Mine is locally built and launched in 1977.

Some years ago I fiberglassed the forward bulkhead as water accumulated there..
It was still solid, whew.

THe plywood aft bulkhead is dry. It is done in three pieces. The two parts to the sides are glassed into place and don't contact the bilge. THe centre part is removeable but it too is not fiberglassed but it does not come fully down to the bilge floor. There is water present though which runs forward. It was screwed into place which I changed to aluminum , 3/16" thick by about 2" wide and floor to ceiling, bolted into place using 4 bolts each side. The aluminum strips are screwed into place on both sides. I have had occasion needed to remove that part of the bulkhead for easier access to the various pipe, hoses, cables as my boat is now old enough it needs that work.

To yours now, I would examine it closely for any more rot. Remove the rot, then soak the remaining part of the bottom edge with an antirot fluid and then glass it but not permanently , rather so it can be removed as I did above.
Or get a new piece of plywood that fits with an overlap onto each side , coat it with fiberglass and when that sets then bolt it.

I would suggest strongly that this piece be made removeable keeping the bottom about 2" above the bilge..
Just what I did.

Thanks. I do think it is an old rot due to it all being extremely dry. Some like dust. With all the rain we’ve had in the last month and last few days it would have had to be at least a little damp but it’s not. I will take out a section of good material and see if I can find out what it was. If not like you I will probably just glass a piece of plywood and replace it. All I have on it is the hydraulic cylinder for steering is mounted on it and my generator exhaust hose comes through it. I don’t see where I need it to be removable. Thanks again.