Thickness of bow deck?

[Kurt B]

1987 Bertram33 FBC. Potentially want to install small shade bimini and Princess Pad, for you guessed it, The Princess. Before going any further with plans, I need to know the thickness of the bow deck. If Bimini were to be installed, would need to install screws through a rail to deck to secure Bimini. I don't want to screw into deck if it is "cored" construction. What say yous guys?

Thanks in advance for your comments and recommendations!

[Rick]

Welcome aboard Kurt,

Al though I have a SF so it might be different, mine is Balsa Cored.

[dougl33]

Welcome aboard Kurt.

14-15 years I installed a small cleat at the base of my windshield to help secure the dinghy. I thru-bolted it and bedded it properly (at least it seems that way as I have no issues with the install. I'd be telling a lie if I said I could tell you how thick the deck was, but I think it's definitely cored and not solid fiber glass.

Where exactly did you want to mount this stuff? I'd tell the Princess to get a good deck chair and an umbrella!

[franklyprice]

All decks are balsa cored. Not sure of the exact thickness but it would be close to an inch.There are a few small places around here and there that are just glass but any span at all is cored.

[Kurt B]

Well, it looks like the consensus is the bow deck is balsa cored.

So, the question becomes, drill or not to drill to mount rails for the Bimini. I am considering an approximate, 4'w x 3' h bimini mounted on rails screwed and bedded to the bow deck aft of the bow hatch. The "Princess Pad" will be approximately 4'w 6'l.

I had been advised that screwing into cored decking is ill advised because of the enemy know as H20.

dougl33 do you think that deck chair and umbrella is still the best bet? (FYI we bought Justintime2's Bertram last June. He did a great job on the boat and we feel we got a fantastic deal. It's now my turn to carry-on the best for this boat.)

Thanks to all who responded.

[lobsta1]

I think the coring depends. On my 1978 when I put the windlass in, the piece of deck I cut out is 1" plywood between the 5/16" fiberglass skins. I have the piece in front of me right now.
If you want to screw into a balsa core, the proper way is mark your holes & drill over size holes. Then fill with thickened epoxy. Then drill proper size holes for your mounting screws.
Good Luck
Al

[PleasureBay]

Have you thought about rigging a bimini frame to the bow rail. I believe that there are brackets that can be removed without excessive work. Just attach it close to the deck. Check out "MarinePartsDepot.com" a great source for stainless steel hardware.

[dougl33]

I’d either go with the chair and umbrella (cheap and dirty and will leave nothing permanent for when she inevitability changes her mind) or a set up like Jack describes above. The last thing I’d do is mount something to the deck.