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Old 01-10-2021, 09:43   #1
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Steel plate in the cabin wall

Hi, I am looking to buy an old sailboat that requires a refit and i found this crack on the starboard side of the cabin - paralel to the mast. the rusty trace suggest there is a metal plate buried below the gelcoat but what is the purpose of it? there is no chainplate there. So could this be some kind of support for the bulkhead? I am trying to estimate the extent of the work I will need to do in order to fix this.



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Old 01-10-2021, 10:48   #2
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Sorry but I’m having a hard time orienting the photo with your description
I see non skid in the top of the photo plus teak in the bottom
Which way is up on the boat?
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Old 01-10-2021, 11:03   #3
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

What is the make of the boat?
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Old 01-10-2021, 11:53   #4
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

The non skid is on the top of the cabin. the teak is on the deck level - so up is up The boat is Automarine Tortuga 38 from 1977
The spot is marked yellow on the photo below


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Old 01-10-2021, 11:55   #5
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Witamy Aldis!
Thanks for the information.
http://www.sailingtheweb.com/sailboa...38/Automarine/
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Old 01-10-2021, 12:52   #6
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Is it keel or deck stepped?

Could it be part of a metal frame under the deck to support the mast?
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Old 01-10-2021, 13:08   #7
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

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Originally Posted by valhalla360 View Post
Is it keel or deck stepped?

Could it be part of a metal frame under the deck to support the mast?

It is deck stepped. I hope it isn't a part of it as this would mean the repair being quite challenging
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Old 01-10-2021, 15:54   #8
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Looks like it is just in the right place to be a structural support for the mast. Not something you want so see rusting. The expansion of the rusting metal could be causing the cracks in the cabin trunk, or flexing of boat around the steel could be making the cracks. What is happening on the other side? It can probably be fixed, but the cost may outweigh the value of a vessel from 1977.
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Old 01-10-2021, 16:10   #9
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Are you sure that is steel you can see rusting and not some wood insert breaking down and leaking perhaps. Bet there is a bulkhead right behind that.
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Old 01-10-2021, 17:38   #10
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

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Are you sure that is steel you can see rusting and not some wood insert breaking down and leaking perhaps. Bet there is a bulkhead right behind that.
This almost has to be the case.

A metal piece running from there, across and under the mast would be ridiculous construction compared to putting in a bulkhead. Nowhere near as strong either.

Needs a little more inspection. Dig in there. Find out what’s really back there.
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Old 01-10-2021, 17:42   #11
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Also, here is your boat. The mast appears to be sitting on a bulkhead or compression post.

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Old 02-10-2021, 03:49   #12
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

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Originally Posted by Chotu View Post
This almost has to be the case.

A metal piece running from there, across and under the mast would be ridiculous construction compared to putting in a bulkhead. Nowhere near as strong either.

Needs a little more inspection. Dig in there. Find out what’s really back there.

You may be right - the other side (port) is looking healthy and there is a shower next to this bulkhead so perhaps it is wood cracking from the moisture in there. I will be there next week and take a closer look.
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Old 02-10-2021, 03:56   #13
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Check with a magnet.
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Old 02-10-2021, 09:01   #14
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

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Originally Posted by DirtRdEarl View Post
Check with a magnet.

Likely you'd need to use a hand bearing compass to provide enough sensitivity to get an indication.

Did OP attempt to get at this area from inside the boat? Hopefully there is some trim piece around the bulkhead inside that could be removed to get access. In any case it's very strange to see that kind of defect on the exterior.
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Old 02-10-2021, 09:03   #15
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Re: Steel plate in the cabin wall

Have you checked that spot from the interior? What is on the other side?

My boat has steel channels or small beams that seem designed to provide structural strength and are used to run electrical wiring between bulkheads. Is the hole in the deck be deep enough to go through? Does it leak?


Quote:
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Hi, I am looking to buy an old sailboat that requires a refit and i found this crack on the starboard side of the cabin - paralel to the mast. the rusty trace suggest there is a metal plate buried below the gelcoat but what is the purpose of it? there is no chainplate there. So could this be some kind of support for the bulkhead? I am trying to estimate the extent of the work I will need to do in order to fix this.



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