: I'm nearing completion of my first strip boat (Redfish Spring Run) and am
: ready to install the bulkheads. I fabricated a strip panel, glassed both
: sides and have cut out the bulkheads to fit in my intended locations. Now
: the question, what's the best (or easiest) way to attach and hold in
: place? My plans call for thickened epoxy to seal any gaps and glass tape /
: epoxy around the edges to attach to hull/deck. I've also seen write-ups
: using silicon calk to install bulkheads made of minicell foam. Could you
: also use the silicon calk to install the strip bulkheads? Seems like this
: would be a lot less work than thickened epoxy and glass tape. I sure would
: appreciate some guidance here as I didn't find anything when I used
: search....

: Bob Beaullieu

Hi Bob,
On my boat, (Redfish Silver) I used a fillet of epoxy thickend with cabosil and
a little sawdust for color, pretty thick fillet on both sides of the bulkhead. The bulkheads were as you made them, fiberglassed strips. I used the boat weekly through this past summer, and the bulkhead seem plenty strong and locked in place. Many people also use glass to attach the bulkheads, that would certainly be stronger, but I think it would be tough to do as neat a job. If you use the boat in rough conditions, though, that seems like the best way.

I would not use silicon caulk, sounds too week. The minicell bulkheads have much more surface presented to the hull and deck for the caulk to adhere to.

Good luck,
Ken F