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Ease of removal of cockpit floor

  • June 03, 2026 10:27 PM
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    Message # 13639212
    Anonymous member

    Can those who have cruised a WS32 extensively, including off shore, please say how often you have needed to pull up the cockpit floor to access the engine room while underway. I’m trying to work out how securely I should plan to ‘lock’ mine down.

    Also, please say what sorts of hardware you recommend to hold it down: screws all around the edge would seem to impede urgent access, but I realize it needs to be held down fairly well to keep it water tight (I do have a closed-cell foam border where it rests on the surrounding support ledge).

    Thanks,

    Neil

    Second Wind #686

    Mobile AL
  • June 04, 2026 2:52 PM
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    Reply # 13639532 on 13639212
    Anonymous member

    Hello Neil,  I believe I qualify as having “WS32 extensive experience including off shore”.    I have never had a need to remove my cockpit floor while at sea.  Saraband’s floor is bolted down with 12 1/4” bolts.   With that said, my cockpit floor is in 2 pieces.  A locker with my propane bottles take up the aft 1/4.  The fwd 3/4 can be removed independently.     Though only slightly related, I must also mention that my cockpit drains are turned 90 degrees to a horizontal angle and re/run out the stern.  The seacocks have been removed and the holes fiberglassed over.  Doing this will give you MUCH easier access to your engine room.   Good luck with your project.    Dave

    Last modified: June 04, 2026 2:56 PM | Anonymous member
  • June 05, 2026 8:03 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 13639726 on 13639212
    Anonymous member

    Thanks, David!

    I imagine that helps to make it pretty water tight around the edges.

    … if it is bolted down, how do you access the nuts on the underside when you need to remove the bolts?

    Last modified: June 05, 2026 9:10 AM | Anonymous member
  • June 05, 2026 9:38 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 13639758 on 13639212
    Anonymous member

    Hello Neil.   My engine is relatively small.  I have no trouble accessing those nuts from the inside of the engine room.  I can get most the nuts off just by reaching into the room.  The situation would be much different with a physically bigger engine, like a Perkins 4-108.    Under the bolt head and flat washer I put custom made nitrile washers that have a smaller than normal hole.  These help to hold the bolt from turning when turning the nut from the inside.    Dave