you guys are great, thanks for all your help!! Dave

:: 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