SV Pilgrim: Steady Progress in the Cockpit Locker

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Steady Progress in the Cockpit Locker

We are continuing to fabricate and install new panels and floor in the cockpit locker. Oh yes we have also done a bit of painting…

Peering down upon fresh paint in the cockpit locker

We painted the lower portion of the locker so that we could install the new floor. Having a horizontal floor makes working in the tight space much more comfortable.

We created a template for the floor then transferred the shape to the 1/2” marine plywood used for other panels in the cockpit locker. After a test fit and few minor adjustments, we installed an access panel in the central section of the floor.

Creating a simple access panel in the cockpit locker floor.

We sealed the underside of the flooring with a couple coats of epoxy.

The underside of the cockpit floor is with two coats of epoxy to prevent water damage.

And painted the top side.

The new locker floor viewed from the cockpit. The cut outs at the upper left are for bilge pump drain hoses.

The ½” marine plywood is nearly exhausted. The remaining cockpit locker panels & cabinetry are less structural and will be installed higher above the waterline. To complete the locker refit we purchased a 4’ X 8’ sheet of ½” thick pre-finished birch plywood. The pre-finished plywood is a bit more expensive, but we will save time and materials in the painting stage of the project.

The first of the birch panels to go in, vertical panel along the upper aft wall, required some creative clamping.

Employing creative clamping to hold the aft vertical panel in place while the tabbing cures.

The cockpit side walls in this area are relatively thin, 3/8”, solid fiberglass. Using 1708 cloth to tab in a ½” plywood panel will provide a surface to which we can mechanically fasten hose clamps, hooks, or any number of locker organizers without the need to put a hole in the fiberglass wall.