The bulkheads aboard the Privilege 580 catamaran

Building the Privilège Signature 580 | Part 2

Bulkhead and component installation. Most components such as fuel and holding tanks are installed along with much of the furniture before the deck is connected to the hull.

Bulkhead & Component Installation

Secondary bulkheads are fixed in place using a tabbing process. This is achieved by using strips of fiberglass soaked in polyester resin to connect the bulkheads to each other and the hull. The result is a fully integrated structure. A well-constructed catamaran should behave like a tree in a storm. Some parts need to be absolutely solid while other parts of the tree need to move and bend. A boat that is a series of parts glued and screwed together will not last.

fiberglass tabs to secure bulkheads
Fiberglass tabs are soaked in resin to secure bulkheads
The bulkheads are installed aboard the Privilege 580 catamaran
We build our own FRP panels
Polyester resins used in fiberglass boat construction don’t bond well to wood, which is the main reason we build our FRP bulkheads using closed-cell foam coring.

Engine installation is a major milestone in the construction of all vessels and you can see the engine bearers ready to receive the 110hp Yanmar engines. This will be a shaft drive system that is better than a saildrive for the long distant sailor.

The engine bearers ready to receive the 110hp Yanmar engines
Components are installed before deck is secured
Most components are installed along with much of the furniture before the deck is connected to the hull

Most components such as fuel and holding tanks are installed along with much of the furniture before the deck is connected to the hull.  Once the deck is installed access is greatly limited. 

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