reinforce fiberglass foam core bulkhead wall to support large window unit

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by BHM36, Aug 16, 2020.

  1. BHM36
    Joined: Aug 2020
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: massachusetts

    BHM36 New Member

    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?
     
  2. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
    Posts: 3,596
    Likes: 1,560, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 37
    Location: Barbados

    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    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 likes this.
  3. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    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.
     
    bajansailor likes this.

  4. BHM36
    Joined: Aug 2020
    Posts: 3
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: massachusetts

    BHM36 New Member

    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.
     
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