dreaded beam, let me count...

Our 36 has one(1967), our 29 has one(74), both are deckstepped. Theres a wooden post beneath the deck vertically standing on the pan which covers the bilge and acts as the floor for all sections of the boat. Beneath the post and pan is a metal, plain old rustable steel beam shaped like an orange slice, that runs athwartships and has a tab a distance off the center that has four, I think, bolts running from head compartment to main saloon, through the bulkhead, either side of the door. If you see those tabs, you got one. You can also look under the pan with a flashlight, and a mirror held just right, or borrow a boroscope with a video screen. In both of our cals you can actually touch it. If your ice box isnt next to that bulkhead, you may be ok. There are several listers, like Wilkie who did theirs different ways. As for Gerrys overhead beam/support, take a look inside a santana 22, they built a bridge, like laminated, supported by posts on outer ends. If you use any metal, coat it with rustoleum. IMHO, Helen Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android