Moving internal bulkhead (dividing wall)

Hi Guys... Help! Google has come up empty. I'm looking for prototypes for a moving dividing wall.

The project is for a narrowboat with typical internal dimensions, I'm looking for a full width / full height timber bulkhead, 300mm wide/thick that can traverse a fore to aft distance of 1500mm.

Any ideas, suggestions, hints, photos would be most welcome

Much obliged

 

How much will the bulkhead weigh?

What will be attached to the bulkhead?

How frequently will the bulkhead be moved? How easily does it need to move?

Does the bulkhead contribute to the structure of the boat, does it need to be watertight?

Will the boat ever be on or near saltwater?

 

I'm afraid I haven't worked that out... it will be hollow (stud wall I guess), ply skinned with cubby hole shelving on alternate sides...

Noting specific, but loose items on the shelves I suppose

It needs to move easily, probably on a daily basis. It could be moved by hand or by linear actuator... Its a proposed divider between the bedroom and the living room area so each can be maximised for space when in use daytime/nighttime

No, it's internal for room division purposes only, no structure/loads, no need to be water tight

I'd like to avoid floor mounted rails if at all possible, maybe ball-bearing tracks running along the inside of the foot step ledge ("pelmet?)

http://www.tb-training.co.uk/images/Image96.gif

Sorry, I can't do those fancy embedded links...

There's no intention to frequent seawater... one can never say never given my appalling land navigation...

Much obliged

 

Rod type rails mounted at the outboard corners of the "roof". Bulkhead hung on ball bearing or low friction slides. Look at industrial supply company catalogs.

 

There's a video here of an apartment, a "transformer" style with a moving wall, from 3:20ish... My wall would be a traverse bulkhead with a through door towards one perimeter. My wall would be much simpler without drawers and cupboards etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYV0qATsyts

 

Thanks David, what distance between fore and aft rollers to ensure the wall stayed vertical? I'd prefer it to hang as you suggest and avoid any contact with the flooring if possible...

 

Is this boat going to be so big that you really need a wall?
Even on a 30' boat it will be very hard to separate the living vs sleeping area and have anything left.
Are you going to actually have loose objects sitting in holes in your wall while moving?

Perhaps, I am imagining this wrong.
Is this a canal boat? Mostly fixed position?

 

Yes, a narrow beam canal boat. The internal length is around 48ft, our overall length limited by lock sizes on various UK canals. Because they are narrow an open plan layout can feel too tubular, if that makes sense... Yes, loose objects no problem, they are all inland waterways and the only swell encountered is from another 4mph speed restricted canal boat.

 

Estimate the weight of the bulkhead and contents and CG location. Google "linear motion UK" to find manufacturers and supplies of linear motion hardware. Then contact a manufacturer/supplier and ask for their recommendations on the particular hardware to use and spacing between guides. Proper industrial grade hardware won't be cheap but it would not be a place to cut cost. You'll want to bulkhead to easily and reliably move for as long as you have the boat.

 

I saw a setup of a hinged bookshelf 'door' , with lots of heavy books.

Obviously the hinges werent up to stopping the opening side dragging on the floor.

The guy ended up putting heavy carpet on the floor, and gluing some smooth plastic to the bottom of the door - it worked really well.

 

How big is the boat?

 

This might inspire you

 

Bravo! I'm afraid that's exactly what started my mind ticking in the first place!!!