Cuddy / deck support issue

[pamacme]

Hi,
I recently purchased a 1977 v20. Unfortunately, I didn't know that I should check the ceiling of the cubby. The beam going across the ceiling is cracked and a little displaced. Before I start working on the other minor issues I knew about when I bought the boat and sink any more money into it I need to know if this is a big deal.

If it was a house beam I would just sister it by bolting a comparable size board that is approximately the size of the beam and move on. Of course being a boat I woul seal the bolt hole and where the actual break is located. But this is a boat and not a house.

Cutting out the beam and re-fiberglassing it is beyond my ability or something I want to mess with.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Pam

[Destroyer]

Truthfully, I would do the same thing you described. I'd put a jack on the floor and use whatever length board was necessary to reach the beam. Then I'd jack up the damaged beam back to it's original shape. Then I'd either sister the beam or sandwich it between two new beams of appropriate length. Since it's in the cuddy I'd probably use some sealer, but would not be as picky as if it were topside. Finally, I'd loosen the jack and remove the tools. Job done.

(When jacking the beam up into it's original position I think I'd jack it just a little further up. Not much, just enough to pre-stress it a little so that after you install the sister or sandwich and remove the jack the beam will fall into it's original position as the sister(s) take up the slack).

[phatdaddy]

Might want to do a search, i thought somebody did a repair like this using aluminum angle. I tried, but couldn***8217;t t find it

Whatever you do, take pics and post