Project M - Interior Aft Bulkhead

Québec 1 · Post by **Québec 1** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:25 am

Bob,
Thats very very nice... and the lights are fabulous.

Love MACs · Post by **Love MACs** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:29 am

Looking good Bob. Can't wait to see this installed! I think you have a real innovation here. Real Classy.

Allan

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:55 pm

Great job Bob. I’m wondering if anyone has thought about putting hinges on the treads of the ladder so that they flip up so one can pass between the rails. I’m not sure how wide a person could fit thru. Just a thought.
I would measure on my

but have not been on her in a few months. Cant wait to get her back in the water soon.

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:12 pm

Ok I just looked at a pic of the ladder and it might be possible if one widens the rail positions. Might even only have to put the middle step on a hinge. Just food for thought.

LOUIS B HOLUB · Post by **LOUIS B HOLUB** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:41 am

This modification is a real plus for a Mac cabin. It adds some class to the interior, along with the much needed privacy.

Hope you post pics of the finished job.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:59 pm

Nice work Bob, I printed the picture for future reference as I hope to copy this mod when I retire in the next year or two. After looking at it a dozen times I still cannot quite figure out where the bottom two cut-outs line up. The upper ones will obviously be those cubby holes being utilized, but the lower ones look as though they will be access holes into the sette holds under the seats, is this so?

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:29 am

hvolkhart · Post by **hvolkhart** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:16 am

Bob
your drawing is very inspiering. I'm thinking to integrate your idea into my project, where i want to build a new galley to incorperate a fridge/freezer.

I hope you don't mind that I have butchered your drawing. Please let me know if i should remove the pictures from the photo-bucket.

What do you think of the "stair" solution?

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:01 pm

Hey that's pretty slick, hvolkhart. And don't worry about re-using the pics - that's what they're here for

. Very interesting idea regarding the ladder steps. You'd probably have to extend the doorway frame out a little further (than on my version) to accomodate the right stair-step angle, yes? You could also probably rope the two treads together and lift them in tandem.

Very nice idea. Sailing season's just around the corner - best get started!

Please post pics along the way. I'll have an update on mine probably this week. Good luck!

~Bob

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:09 pm

Being an X-boater, all I can do here is back-seat driving, but . . .

seems to me that bulkhead is substantial enough to totally replace the ladder for reinforcing the companionway. That means the ladder could be totally removed and designed solely for people, not as a supporting member??

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:59 pm

Hi Frank (long time no talk

),

You're right - we do have the doorway to the aft berth as the supporting member (in place of the ladder). In my case, the ladder swings open, in hvolkhart's case the treads lift up and to the side. Is your suggestion to just make the ladder removable? That could work too. Where would it get stored? BTW - If I'm not mistaken, the M requires more steps from cabin to cockpit than the X, thus a longer ladder.

For me, JMHO, I want the ladder to always get put back in the functional position - in case someone decides to join others in cabin after its use. I'd hate for them to expect a step that isn't there. On our boat, I'll make sure everyone knows to always lock the ladder. For hvolkhart, the ladder treads may automatically fall back down when let go(?)

~Bob

MARK PASSMORE · Post by **MARK PASSMORE** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:04 pm

Hey hvolkhart, Im thinking of something similar on my

. I think I will only have to widen the support post about five inches or so and I should only have to put the middle step on a hinge. I will also put a hinge in the center of the tread so that it will fold in the middle. Two small magnets will hold it in place while up. The bottom tread is low enough now and the top tread might need to be raised a few inches. This can be done with a few spacers.

hvolkhart · Post by **hvolkhart** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:35 pm

Here are some progress pix.
Between the view warm days and the heated garage, the work is slow going. I think the hardest part is done, fitting all the pieces. I had to implement some modifications to accept the freezer. The kitchen is now about 1” deeper as planned.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:43 am

Fantastic!!

Can't wait to see the final result. Fun mod - especially with everything being curved and odd-angled - pretty challenging. Keep up the great work, hvolkhart!

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:11 pm

You two guys are both waaaaay too good for me! I couldn't do this mod in a gazillion years by myself (but I could hand someone tools and materials)

Rick

MacGregorSailors.com

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Project M - Interior Aft Bulkhead

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