MJ Sailingvideo
The Bad News: We Have To Cut This Bulkhead Out (MJ Sailing - Episode 377)
May 30, 2026 · 15 min · 33K views
Catamaran hull floats in open sea, showing foam core.
What this video covers
Matt corrects a structural error in the bow of his catamaran by installing a new, reinforced bulkhead.2:31 He originally positioned the primary bulkhead four inches too far forward, necessitating a redesign to ensure proper forebeam alignment and structural integrity.0:55 Because the original bulkhead was already glassed into the hull, he left a three-inch ring of the existing structure in place and built a new, thicker PVC foam-core bulkhead inside it.2:20 This modification creates multiple watertight compartments in the bow, which increases buoyancy and raises the position of emergency hatches to prevent leaks.3:32 The installation required splitting the new bulkhead in half to fit it through the hatch opening before glassing the pieces together.6:39 Separately, the project includes fairing the cabin top using Alex Seal Finish Primer, Total Boat Total Fair, and a combination of 6-inch orbital sanders and hand-blocking techniques to achieve a smooth finish.11:24
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