Chrysler Sailors Forum

the board that extends down from the bottom of the cockpit floor to the cabin floor on my c22 is rotten...is this part important for structural support or not? I never worried about it before, but i was thinking it might be designed to carry part of the load applied by the keel winch?

I think you are correct that it carries the load from the keel cable and the cockpit as well. I would replace it.

The plywood was rotted out in Catch 22 when I started on her refit, and I did the mentioned modification, thanks Banshi. I added a hinged access in the deck with a bilge pump and float switch also. Seems to be working well so far. I will try to get some pictures of it posted. I used regular lumber with good paint and stainless screws and hinges, so far the only time the pump has come on has been for a test.

Here you can see I created a bilge and small deck then added a small support on each side at the cross member to replace the rotted out useless piece of plywood. Gives me easy access and a small dry storage area. There is a small automatic pump under the deck in case the rudder post ever decided to leak. I have another loose pump I can though in the lower parts of the boat if needed.