Alethea Price

Hi. Yes sorry didn't bother attempting to re-upload the photo as I realised it was coming from the wrong direction, but yes the steel bearers are behind the wood. Not sure about the fastenings to be honest though. Hadn't thought to investigate that but will happily report back when I've taken a look!

That's an interesting point. I'm inclined to say no. I did measure the distance from stern to the bulk head, and bow to the bulk head and it's approximately 1/3 of the way along the boat (from the stern) telling me that it's not likely to be the centre line point, but I can't guarantee that. Will take a look this evening.

Oh sorry about that maybe the forum doesn't like the format. But saying that I've just remembered there absolute are steel beams. I know because I messed up all my insulation measurements measuring from wooden beam to wooden beam and had to cut them all down to size again to accommodate the steel beams sitting next to the wood. Panic over! ?

Let's assume that's the case (although I'm not convinced from the attached image from my phone). Appears to be just wood to me. Checking will now be top of my list for this evening. Roof beams

Very interesting thanks. I think I can follow you. I must say from my minds eye I don't recall much in the way of steel supports for the roof, and having just looked at some photos I have of the roof with ceiling taken away, it's all just timber supports. Would that be common, or something to worry about?

You know someone else suggested it could have been for plumbing. From what I can see there's nothing going through the gap anymore, but I know a lot of the plumbing got switched around sometime before I bought it, so it's certainly possible. It looks to be in good condition either way so as long as I'm not interfering with anything by removing the bulkhead above this bearer then I think I'll just make note that it's there and carry on as normal.

Thanks for that. Being total transparent I don't recall the thickness of the cabin steel off the top of my head but it had a recent survey I can refer to that this evening. Saying that I'm not totally understanding what you mean re: "1" box section rolled/curved @ 2' centres (ish)" Could you clarify in layman's terms for me? Many thanks!

Very possible. TY

Its a Veneered Ply bulkhead - no steel so it sounds like I could be on the right tracks. It also occurs to me the the old shower unit was supported by this wall, so the thickness could have also be support for that. Sounds like I'm safe to move the bulkhead then, sad news for the horrible old shower - great news for my new galley. Thanks for the input.

That's very helpful thanks. This dilemma aside it would be great to track down the original makers for my own knowledge. Will try both of those thank you. It is a full steel welded cabin. As you say I am assuming it offers no structural support was just unusual to find one varying from all the others. Thanks for the feedback sounds like we all generally agree.

Hi Flyboy. That's probably the best logical next step. Annoyingly I've already put the ballast and floor back in but I'll see if I can quickly get it up tonight and take some pictures. Can easily get on of the Bulkhead at a minimum. Has also occurred to me that I might be able to track down the original maker and see if they can shed some light on things. Disappointingly all the paperwork I have refers to the Company it was manufactures for (Anglo-welsh) but I can't find anything to suggest who made her. I'll keep hunting thought. Could be my best bet. Will update with photos asap.

Hi Canal community. I've got an interesting one at the moment. Over the past few months I've been stripping out the interior of my 1990 holiday boat built narrowboat, cleaning up and treating the hull and then replacing the floors and walls. There were a lot of pointless cubby holes and thus a huge number of unwanted cabin bulkheads so as I've been going I've also been removing a lot of them to create more spacious rooms and practical storage. So the pondery... In my strip out I came across an unusual bearer. As would be expected there are bearers that traverse widthwise throughout the boat. However, about 1/3 of the length from the stern, separating the galley from the rest of the cabin, there is one bearer that is different from all the others. Rather than running the full width of the boat, it is sectioned into two separate pieces, one on either side and appearing more like a girder (I shaped) than any of the other bearers (which are more like an upside-down L in appearance). This bearer is also unusual in that the Bulkhead directly above it is double the thickness of all the other cabin bulkheads. Still made of veneered marine grade MDF, but supported by wooden roof frame beams on both sides. The rest of the cabin bulkheads were half the thickness, and only supported by one wooden beam, with bolt fixings. My inclination is to say that the thicker bulkhead could be a firewall. Although this wouldn't explain why the bearer is also different. Ideally I want to move the bulkhead back 4ft to extend the size of the galley, but at the same time I don't want to remove anything that could be part of the structural support of the boat. I won't take any action until I have better knowledge but would love to hear the thoughts of others. So my question is - have you ever come across a bearer like this? And why do you think this bulkhead is so much thicker and supported differently to the others?

Hi thanks for the input and I understand your concern. However, as I've mentioned to others on the forum she only rejected it because she had no budget for repairs (I have spoken with her personally) and was looking for something ready to go. I'm however looking for something that needs work and am willing to put that work into it hence my request for engineer recommendations. If you know someone that would be great, thanks.

The Suveyor has not found lots of problems, the original buyer was simply being asked to pay more than she could afford. She didn't have the money to do repairs. That was the only reason she pulled out. I have spoken with her personally and can confirm that the boat is just needing some minor welding above the water line in the gas locker. Thank you and everyone else for the advice it's all appreciated. Having spoken with the Surveyor I'm aware of the work needed and the possibility for increased work along the way. I'm taking on a challenge because that's very much what I'm looking for and am prepared for the tears. That said I'm asking for recommendations as it's only sensible to cover my back. Hopefully some people will be able to offer some valuable suggestions. Thanks so much that's great. Thank you. That is of course why I'm looking for an engineer (welder if you prefer) to join me to take a look at her. If you can recommend one that would be really great thank you.

I'm also looking for a recommended and reasonablly priced engineer in London who'd be willing to come and look at the boat with me this week, with the intention that if all goes ahead they might work with me on the boat following purchase. I know she needs some welding work so if someone could recommend an engineer to come with me and be able to quote on the cost that would be brilliant. Thanks everyone.