My water tight bulkhead looks like Swiss cheese

[Enginerd]

I'm looking for the best way to close up some holes in the water tight bulkhead that the PO drilled. There are at least 10 holes ranging from 3/8" to 1-1/4" about 5" below the water line... we have some ideas but would like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks
-D

[catsketcher]

What material is the bulkhead?

[barnakiel]

If the bulkhead (the holes) not visible, I would tape one side flat (quality masking tape) then cover the other side and leave just a gap for a nozzle. Fill the void with goop (e.g. light grade of MSP). This way you end up with watertight plug that can be removed.

If you epoxy it (very thick epoxy filler, tape, etc) then the plug is permanent (and expensive).

Cheers,
b.

[Enginerd]

Originally Posted by catsketcher

What material is the bulkhead?

Guess I should have mentioned that. Aluminum.

[Enginerd]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

If the bulkhead (the holes) not visible, I would tape one side flat (quality masking tape) then cover the other side and leave just a gap for a nozzle. Fill the void with goop (e.g. light grade of MSP). This way you end up with watertight plug that can be removed.

If you epoxy it (very thick epoxy filler, tape, etc) then the plug is permanent (and expensive).

Cheers,
b.

Good idea I'll keep that in mind.

[Cheechako]

Thermos stoppers. The kind with the flip lever that expands the plug. or these plumbing items: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VYNUAW...a-307583493035

[Enginerd]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Thermos stoppers. The kind with the flip lever that expands the plug. or these plumbing items: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VYNUAW...a-307583493035

Haha I bought a whole bunch of them in different sizes the other day. I'm glad I wasn't crazy thinking they would be a great idea. They just don't make the 1-1/4 or 3/8 I need.

[wandering rober]

Drill em out to your needs !

[Jim Cate]

Well, for the larger diameter holes, a bit of light ply with a larger diameter on each side and a through bolt in the center to clamp them together,, plus a squirt off Sikaflex or such will seal the hole adequately for little cost, and easy removal if you ever need the hole again.

Jim

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Enginerd

Haha I bought a whole bunch of them in different sizes the other day. I'm glad I wasn't crazy thinking they would be a great idea. They just don't make the 1-1/4 or 3/8 I need.

They make 1.25. For 3/8 use a bolt with thread dope on it. Or tap it for 7/16 thread or 1/2 thread.

https://www.grainger.com/product/6VFN2?cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!166 595889332!!!!82128532437!&ef_id=WYSxXAAAAaBslNPX:2 0170914222334:s&kwid=productads-adid^166595889332-device^c-plaid^82128532437-sku^6VFN2-adType^PLA

[barnakiel]

Ha ha ha.

The answer then contained in the question.

Weld it.

b.

[Matt Johnson]

We welded some of ours, but most of them I used G-flex and 6 oz cloth to fill. I ground one side along with the inner rim and put masking tape on the opposite side covering the hole. Filled with thickened G-flex and then put two layers of 6 oz cloth over the hole (wetted out with G-flex). Once cured, grind and do other side. I had about ten holes from 3/16-1-1/2" in mine and it took all of an hour to do.


Matt

[Tcubed66]

You can get freeze plugs in the expandable way. Smaller ones are hard to find but the larger ones are just a parts store away!

[Lepke]

A bulkhead is supposed to stop water or fire. Many of the solutions wouldn't hold up to fire, maybe not to flooding. A small hole in an engine room fire can put out a jet of flame several feet. I been in marine fires and marine fire fighting schools. Fire scares me more than flooding.
I would weld, then you're done. Either a plate over the hole or just weld material for the small holes.
Maybe someone you know welds. I carry a welder that will do any metal. Strange for a wood boat owner.

[Enginerd]

Thanks guys I think between bolting and sandwiching I can get it to work.