Secure Bulkhead Wall?

[clow]

Does anyone happen to know how the bulkhead in the cabin is held in place? I just purchased my 2004 340 DA in September and commissioned it today. I noticed today that the bulkhead isn't tight, dropping down a bit from the top left. I can push it up and back so if I'm underway, it's certainly going to be bopping. I don't remember seeing this in the fall when I bought it and I did use it for 45 days. I have a friend who has the exact same boat and his is properly secured. Neither one of us can figure out how it's secured. I took out the center panel of the helm that holds the smartcraft digital gauge and while we can see the back of the bulkhead, there are no apparent screws, clips or anything that looks like it's supposed to secure the bulkhead. The previous owner mounted a 40" TV to it and the TV mount looks secure, it's the bulkhead that doesn't. I suspect the extra weight of the TV probably caused this issue.

Any help/guidance would be really appreciated!

Thanks so much.

Craig

 

[fwebster]

You need to post a photo of what you are calling a bulkhead. The bulkhead is a major structural component that stiffens the hull from side to side and cannot slip down.

 

[clow]

Attached please find a picture that shows the issue and clarifies my reference to the bulkhead wall. Thanks!

 

[fwebster]

Those are cosmetic interior panels. I don't have a 340, so I cannot tell you where the fasteners are, but Sea Ray interiors are a lot like legos. They are put together in a certain order and you have to take them apart in reverse of how they went together. Most interior panels are screwed in place or or held in place with plastic fasteners (Christmas tree fasteners). If there are no screws visible, then vote for Christmas tree fasteners. Sometimes when the plastic fasteners are removed and reinstalled, they no longer hold tightly nd need to be replaces. You might try pulling the panel down a bit and slipping a thin blade like a putty knife behind it and see if you can feel a fastener. If you do, put a little down pressure on it and see if you can see it and others nearby.

I think you are correct about the cause of the problem, but hopefully, the fix is as easy as adding fasteners.

 

[MExcelsior]

The same thing happened to me on my 2007 310 to the point where I could open the power panel door because it would really rub on the bottom of that panel. I'm not sure how the panel is connected, but the tv, wood and vinyl was a single piece on my boat. My fix was to remove tv, lifted up to a good fitting position and drilled a single hole through the wood behind the tv and through the fiberglass/back wall to area behind the dash. (Make sure you select an area that is clear behind the dash for the support hole, as you don't want to drill into radio, eim, fuse box, etc.) I used a 1/4 inch diameter carriage bolt with washer, caulked and it has been holding just fine for 5 years.

 

[clow]

The same thing happened to me on my 2007 310 to the point where I could open the power panel door because it would really rub on the bottom of that panel. I'm not sure how the panel is connected, but the tv, wood and vinyl was a single piece on my boat. My fix was to remove tv, lifted up to a good fitting position and drilled a single hole through the wood behind the tv and through the fiberglass/back wall to area behind the dash. (Make sure you select an area that is clear behind the dash for the support hole, as you don't want to drill into radio, eim, fuse box, etc.) I used a 1/4 inch diameter carriage bolt with washer, caulked and it has been holding just fine for 5 years.

Thanks. Based on your post and the one prior, seems like that is probably the most straight forward way to handle. The only scary part is where that hole happens to come through behind the dash (as you noted)! Perhaps, if I can get enough room behind the dash, I'll drill the hole from the dash side as there is plenty of flexibility where the hole can go behind the TV.

 

[Stee6043]

Good god that's a lotta TV.....

If that thing were a plasma it could double as a cabin heater!

 

[clow]

Good god that's a lotta TV.....

If that thing were a plasma it could double as a cabin heater!

Indeed! It was bothering me that the TV wasn't centered on the bulkhead so I centered it only to learn I couldn't then open up the door to the power panel. The previous owner probably got the largest TV that would fit in the space without considering the door opening on the left side. But it is a nice TV!

 

[KevinC]

Since you mentioned that you did not see any through mounting supports for the TV I would remove the TV and verify how secure the mount is to the actual bulkhead. If it was only mounted to the trim panel the weight of the TV is probably just pulling it away. you would know this if the mount pulls away from the wall too.

I have not remove mine but if it is, as Frank suggested, mount only with "christmas tree fasteners" I would be concerned that leaving it prolonged would continue to pull the panel off and make things worse.

-Kevin

 

[ttmott]

Sea Ray attaches many panels simply with screws that are under the vinyl covering. They do not staple the vinyl behind the plywood in the areas where the screws go, so after installing the screw they "tuck" the vinyl around and behind the plywood. So, at the corners carefully pull the vinyl out (sometimes very carefully with a pair of needle nose pliers) and there will be a screw there. In larger panels the same will be along the edges. If you run your fingers around the perimeter you can usually feel where the screws are.

 

[Sublimetime]

Leaving it prolonged is also going to warp the plywood making it harder to get back into original position.

 

[clow]

Thanks for all the great suggestions - I really appreciate it!!!

 

[Crushin It]

There are two button tabs on the top panel and two on the underneath side. Once you pull back/off the buttons you can reach the screws in there with a phillips... Then when put back together lightly glue the button tabs back in place. This is the write up from Ray Ray. I did this same procedure to mine.

1. The bulkhead TV has a factory mounted shroud that is held in place by four screws, two on the front/top, and two more on the underside. Remove the round plastic head caps, remove the screws and the shroud comes right off.
2. The TV is mounted on a two part plate (one piece screwed onto the back of the TV, the other piece is screwed onto the bulkhead itself....they slide together). You'll need a phillips head screwdriver that will reach the bottom of the mount to remove the two screws securing the two pieces together.
3. Once those screws are removed, simply lift the TV up about two/three inches and it should release from the wall mounted back plate.
4. Disconnect the coaxial cable, and three RCA cables (red/white/yellow), and TV power cord.
5. Lie the old TV on something soft/flat and remove the universal mounting plate from the back of the TV.
6. Remount the backing plate on your new TV, and reverse the above.