I store the anchors on the bowsprit and the chain rides below the head right near the center of the boat, (all 275' with room for more). I have ran a 3 or 4" PVC pipe that guides in this process.
It was my understanding that if you bought a stainless bowsprit with sampson post from Bud you can remove or cut out the old post. Now putting two an two together I would be inclined to remover the remaining sampson post that remain attached to the bulkhead inside. And Keeping in mind that this bulkhead was never glassed to the overhead only on the edges to the hull.
I realize that this bulkhead may be used for structural reasons but what a small percentage it had to offer. Given how it was attached and its relative small surface area ( most of the bulk head was removed for access doors to the chain locker)
Here is what I have so far.
I have ran five 1/2" all-thread with nuts into the deck to attach the bowsprit with big backing plates. Two of the five 1/2" all-thread are used to mount the 1/4" plate that keeps the windless mounted, they travel through the bowsprit and deck and plate.
The stainless sampson post will bolt to the bowsprit and to the deck using the same 1/2" all-thread. This should allow for me to glass over the rectangle holes.
Overall I suppose a bulkhead would make it stronger but I cant see that it offered much other than sampson post support, perhaps a little flex. I'm guessing here of course.