Rear bulkhead removal

[Goober]

Question for anyone with more sence than me . A local guy recently bought a 31 fbc and is considering removing rear bulkhead to achieve a sport fish model ,is this no1 possible no2 any structural and lateral strength lost . Boat is equipped with 3208 cats and is a charter boat and owner wants to open it up so all customers can get into / watch the action . Flybridge has small amount of metal with Bimini any advice is always good.BR Goober.

[Navatech]

AFAIK some 31's actually came out of the factory without that rear bulkhead so I guess it can be done... However, it been a charter boat and knowing that quite a few customers (your's truly included) like to be up there unless the owner is going to severely limit his customers he might want to look into somehow supporting the FB...

[Tony Meola]

It has been done. YOu need to reinforce the bridge area around the rear bulkhead. I believe there is a discussion about it, but you will need to search the site.

[Goober]

thanks guys I will pass the info along BR Goober

[Tony Meola]

http://bertram31.com/newbb/viewtopic.ph ... ead#p91197

Here is a post on Vince Luciano's boat. See if this helps.

[Vince Luciani]

BR,

I did remove my rear bulkhead (reference the post by Tony). As the post indicates, I still have a small "sway" since I removed it (and I have the Sportfish model). It's not enough to appear dangerous, but enough that I don't particularly like it. I don't really think that it is the pilasters that are moving, but rather I think it is the gunnels supporting the pilasters that are yielding.

I have mixed feelings about removing the bulkhead. I and many of the passengers of the boat (especially the wife!) like the openness of the cabin without the bulkhead. However, I go out in some rough weather and don't like to see any movement at all. For now, I plan to do some reinforcing like JP discussed in his posts mainly in the area of the gunnels where the pilaster is supported. I will take some pictures when I do the work. Hope this info helps. Feel free to call me if you wish to discuss further (302) 430-9544.

Vince

[Craig Mac]

I was considering removal of the rear bulkhead---but decided to go with big windows and no door----really opened up the cabin and kept the support.