Dave,

Carbon backing plates and reinforcements are legal. I think that using it to add structure may be legal- but not to replace existing or original structure. Please contact me and get fleet approval before doing anything significant.

By the way- I did all of the work to update Top Gun's systems and layout a few years ago. The boat has been very well taken care of and never sailed hard. I expect it to be turn key and in better shape structurally than most boats. Don't worry about doing heavy work before going sailing- just get her and get out there!

Good Luck, Will Paxton (class measurer) 510-508-7231

:: thanks for all the good info. I'll make sure to have the
:: bulkhead checked out carefully, as this seems to be a
:: fairly common area to modify. Is it illegal to use
:: carbon fiber

:: stitched or woven materials for reinforcement on an
:: Express 27?

:: Dave
::
:: :: Hi:
:: ::
:: :: I've seen the Top Gun recently . . . the boats in great
:: :: shape . . . except the bulk head needs a new support
:: :: brace . . . and I'd replace the phillips round head
:: :: bolts (tack fitting, after lower fitting, back stay
:: :: fitting) with good 3 or 4 star hex heads . . . update
:: :: the after lower brace attachment at the seats with
:: :: U-bolt/marine eye arrangement.
:: ::
:: :: The boat is sailable, however, needs the bulkhead
:: :: vertical legs (forward) lenghtened to just above the
:: :: hull, making sure the bulkhead is (again) in an even
:: :: vertical plane, with new horizontal piece fore and aft.
:: :: This type of repair was the subject of an earlier mail
:: :: still on the site.
:: ::
:: :: The bulkhead actually is not in bad condition . . . but
:: :: its only a matter of time and hard sailing.
:: ::
:: :: I put those big bolts through the horizontal piece years
:: :: ago for the original owner.
:: ::
:: :: Bruce Sibley is a good surveyor.
:: ::
:: :: I don't think the boat needs to be surveyed . . .its in
:: :: real good shape except for the bulkhead and minor
:: :: upgrades.
:: ::
:: :: Mike
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Need a survey done in Alameda by someone familiar with
:: :: :: :: the inherent Express 27
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: problems- bulkhead failures, deck problems, etc. Any
:: :: :: :: suggestions? Phone numbers needed to contact too. Does
:: :: :: :: Kim D. do surveys?
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: Thanks!!, Dave