Drilling Alaskan Bulkhead

[jetter]

I am considering attaching an engine mount for O/B storage to the port side of the bulkhead (to the left of the open sliding door). Does anyone have experience with drilling holes this bulkhead. Is there a core? Thickness?

[Pitou]

I am considering attaching an engine mount for O/B storage to the port side of the bulkhead (to the left of the open sliding door). Does anyone have experience with drilling holes this bulkhead. Is there a core? Thickness?

Russell - Glad to see that you are enjoying your new Albin and are working on making it fit your needs. The mounting of the O/B bracket would be a worthy project.

I also have the Alaskan Bulkhead and have some experience finding out how it is cored. To my discovery it is not. I had drilled 4 holes to mount an epirb bracket the window behind the companion seat to discover no coring and just hollow space between the inner cabin and outer cockpit skin. For 9 seasons I've stored 2 deck chairs behind the companion seat and this fall one time they were not properly stored and the inner skin became compromised, once again revealing a hollow space in between inner and outer skins.

On more than one occasion I have seen pictures of boats for sale on Yachtworld showing outboards mounted just as you have described. Unfortunately they have never shown the inside of the bulkhead to confirm how the mounting was completed on that side. Knowing what I have discovered in regards to the construction of the bulkhead, at a minimum a full sized backing plate maybe needed. In addition I've always thought the addition of spacer supports in between the two skins would eliminate compression as the mounting bracket is secured. This would provide comfortable strength and support.

I hope that this has been of some help to your proposed plans. Be sure to follow-up with a post on mounting the outboard bracket if you pursue this. The few of us with the bulkhead would be very appreciative. All the best.

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[jetter]

Thanks Kevin. I suspected there was a void when tapping the skin with my fist. I will likely use a backing plate with nylon spacers to avoid compression. Its a busy spring with this project along with windlass and weaver davit installations.