Structural Repair 23'

[abl1111]

This is a very good discussion - an important one as so many come to learn about repairing, restoring SC's - the right way.

I really never put too much thought into flex of a hull as my repairs have been to fix an existing situation i.e. bad core, new transom, hatches etc. And, even with this repair, I feel like I am doing the same thing - repairing an existing situation.

I cannot fathom that this joint area was ever meant to move ( I could be wrong here ). The teak doors attach to both sides of the companionway - when closed, if you hit a wave just right, the flex would crush the doors every time.

Mcgill- you mention " The bulkhead is effectively is a minimal load-bearing wall creating a separate cabin ". Are you sure of this ? This area is the only area in the boat that provides lateral/ horizontal axis support other than the transom and the bow/deck area.

My gut feeling is that the potter putty used here was meant to hold the joint in place. For it not to move. My original putty cracked ( again, its's an old boat ), so I was feeling the effect of that. To me, it makes little sense that the topside and liner were meant to 'float' on this bed of putty there. There was a generous amount of putty in there and in many of the areas in the joint, it still attached both the liner and the topside.

Again, this is not to be contradictory, but to have a healthy discussion about the original intent and the proper remedy. Thx of your patience and expertise...