reinforce fiberglass foam core bulkhead wall to support large window unit

[BHM36]

I'm replacing a 9ft window unit and concerned with the weight. The foam core at the narrowest point is 5/8in of foam between fiberglass and widens as it goes down. any siggestions?

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum BHM.

What type of window was previously in the bulkhead, and how heavy was it?
Or have you cut an aperture in the bulkhead to put a new window into?
Can you post a photo of the bulkhead please?

 

[fallguy]

Most likely you can decore the foam and laminate in some stiffeners, but the post here is so vague; noone can really begin to respond.

A foam core on edge is actually 'pretty' strong. The greater concern of large static loading is buckling. More so on angled walls. For this, the underlying interior structure must be understood. Or, if you are in a fast vessel, then dynamic loading is also an issue as the weight of heavy objects generally requires heavier foams.

I can't answer your question due to my qualifications, but noone can without more detail.

 

[BHM36]

Most likely you can decore the foam and laminate in some stiffeners, but the post here is so vague; noone can really begin to respond.

A foam core on edge is actually 'pretty' strong. The greater concern of large static loading is buckling. More so on angled walls. For this, the underlying interior structure must be understood. Or, if you are in a fast vessel, then dynamic loading is also an issue as the weight of heavy objects generally requires heavier foams.

I can't answer your question due to my qualifications, but noone can without more detail.

thank you, i'll do more research... It is was manufactured by Atlantic Boat (BHM 23) in 2006 and the bulkhead under the window goes down about 25 inches and takes a turn outward forming the gunwale. When I removed the window, they had a skim layer of epoxy (about 1/8 in) over the foam core and glass. I de-cored it about 5/8 to 3/4 in reinforced with poly structural putty. Pretty solid , but I always then to overthink and build.