I recall reading in an older thread, someone contacted the factory to get advice on beefing up the C36 for more serious offshore work, and they suggested running a bead of adhesive along the tops of the bulkheads to "bond" them to the coachroof.
I was wondering if anyone has done that, and if so what adhesive would be best suited for this application. I understand tabbing is the industry-preferred method, but given the way the bulkheads fit into molded slots in the coach roof I could see that being an expensive proposition involving removal of the bulkheads. Eyeballing it, it seems possible to get a bead of 5200 in the small gap along the top bulkheads.
I may get flamed for this, I'm not sure. Like I said I just remember someone saying this was a factory suggestion.
Thoughts?
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Wow, 70 views, and no reply. I'll assume, since some of the more frequent posters haven't shot me down on this, that it may not be a terrible idea.
I'll keep doing some research on it, but I may try it. I'll let you all know how it goes if/when I get it done.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Still thinking about your question.
I left a voicemail on C36IA Member Craig Mortenson's home phone to ask him what he did and what he thinks about your idea. Craig circumnavigated with his C36 Mk I, S/V Patriot, three or four years ago. His circumnavigation was from Potland, Oregon to Hawaii, then around the world back to Hawaii, then back to Portland. I don't know anyone else who has such an extensive blue water record with our boat.
(They always say the easiest way from Panama up to Portland or Seattle is via Hawaii. Apparently, this is true. Ask the Baja Ha Ha'ers.)
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Good question, but I don't know the answer.
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
When I removed the bulkhead from my C36, it was already bonded in exactly the groove you mention. I had to force it out with a car-jack. I don't know if they used 5200 (probably not), but the effect was the same except maybe a little weaker bond. That was the original factory installation, so I don't see any reason why not to use 5200, except if you think you might have to remove that bulkhead at some point.
SF Bay
1998 C36
Hey guys,
Thanks for the input; and Larry, thanks for asking around. I would love to hear what Craig has to say about it.
I'm sure it isn't a perfect substitute for tabbing, but I can't see that it cwould really hurt. I think I'm goign to give it a shot if I can engineer a way to apply it without making too big a mess of things.
It's going to be early December by the time I get a chance to do it, but I'll be sure to follow up here when it's done.
In the mean time, if anyone has any additional input, I certainly welcome it.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
I don't see where it would HURT, provided the adhesive used has ZERO expansive qualities when it sets. I would try to use as fine a hypodermic type instrument as possible to get it as far into the gap as possible to maximize contact surface area.
I am curious if you are experiencing any looseness or insecurity in the current bulkhead bond, or are you headed out into the briny deep and wishing to do some precautionary strengthening ?
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
[QUOTE=dejavu;10133]I don't see where it would HURT, provided the adhesive used has ZERO expansive qualities when it sets. I would try to use as fine a hypodermic type instrument as possible to get it as far into the gap as possible to maximize contact surface area.
I am curious if you are experiencing any looseness or insecurity in the current bulkhead bond, or are you headed out into the briny deep and wishing to do some precautionary strengthening ?
Mike[/QUOTE]
I guess you could say I've returned from the briny deep :cool: . Actually I sailed south from Virginia last year and the boat took a pretty good beating in the Gulf Stream, to wit: I noticed a 1/4 inch gap between the top of the cabenetry forward of where most folks mount their radios, and the main port side bulkhead by the mast showed about 1/4 inch movement relative to the coachroof. I'm told this flexing is pretty normal for C36s in heavy weather, and everything was normal again by the time I pulled into port; but I'd like to do something to secure things below a little better if at all possible. I think another factor in the flexing is ensuring the turnbuckle that connects the mast to the coachroof in the cabin is properly tightened and secured.
We are Caribbean bound for a year, and I'm just trying to get as much piece of mind as possible for the trip.
Tobaygo
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#660
Tampa Bay, FL
Another thing I thought of, that I checked with Catalina about, was this: That same bulkhead, as you probably know, is actually two parts. The smaller, outer part of the bulkhead and then the main bulkhead. There is nothing joining them together. If I'm remembering correctly, there's a vertical trim strip that hides the joint. What I thought of doing was joining them by through bolting a stainless steel plate across the two bulkheads. I never got around to doing it, but when I talked with Catalina they had no objections to that.
SF Bay
1998 C36