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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Dec 2016 : 17:09:19
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Stripping the interior,to refurb,I removed several layers of old carpet and lino from the floor.I was a bit puzzled to find what I think is a "false floor" The side lockers and forward locker have no access to this "false floor",but they all seem to be part of the same fibreglass moulding.The floor extends to the cabin door,although a previous owner has drilled a line of holes about 1ft from the end and cut this panel out and screwed it back down.I took this panel up to have a look,and although the hull bottom seemed to be dry,it smelt of mould and damp.
I thought that I would fit a couple of floor vents to get some air through it,but I have some nagging doubts.
My question is, is this "false floor" a safety feature,for example,if the hull is holed,water will enter this compartment and run into the cockpit,unless the end is moulded in,and presumably then can be pumped out.If this floor is indeed a safety feature then of course vents in the floor are a no no.
Any advice and comments will be gratefuly received. |
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2016 : 18:17:56
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The space underneath should have drainage channels throughout anyway so not a safety feature just a convenient manufacturing method, vents are a good idea but if it's dry not critical if you can't smell it in the cabin, the nature of a boats bilge means it will always have a bit of a damp smell however dry.
Just stop sniffing it...
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2016 : 20:31:57
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(Switches to pirate voice...)
Arrrr, look lads. It's the return of Mad 'Arold, The Bilge Sniffer. Arrrr.
(Pirate exits stage left and heads off to visit his favourite shop... Arrrrr-gos) |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2016 : 02:23:51
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If you have a dry bilge - lucky man. Most Normans are half full of water from leaking grab rails, deck fittings, windows or canpoies.
You are quite correct though - the bunk/floor moulding was dropped in, fitted where it touched, and glassed in to hull sides all round. Most often if you look inside the lockers the bottoms of which are the hull itself you will find a small gap down into the "Vee" under the cabin sole. This is ideal for losing long thin items like pens, selfie sticks etc never to be seen again as they sink into the morass at the bottom of the vee where all the filth collects.
The moulding does serve to stiffen the hull sides, but cutting an access into the floor does no structural harm and if you do it in the middle you'll be able to mop or pump out the deepest part of the bilge.
Failing that - fill it with water and use it as a beer cooler!
Finally living the dream!
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Norman 20 cabin floor advice requested.
