Creaky Boat

[mark1882]

Hi
Any ideas as to what causes a boat tp creak would be appreciated.

I am pretty sure that my 24 year old Westerly Oceanlord has started to creak more that it used to. The only changes I can think of that may be contributing to this are that I lived and refitted the sole/floor boards and also had the standing rigging replaced. It is very difficult to pin down where the creaking is coming from, it seems all over and it creaks both under engine and under sail.

I guess the other question is it usual for boats to creak, I don't remember my Bavaria creaking so much, and perhaps because I have noticed it that I am noticing it more.

Could it be a case of either under of over tightened rig ?

Manks

Mark

 

[nickd]

More likely the floor baords are rubbing on something
Try lifting and replacing
Possibly put strip of something in between the boards and what ever they rest on

 

[pvb]

Unlikely to be the rigging, unless it's ridiculously overtightened. I found on my old boat that the floorboards sections creaked where they butted up against bulkheads or furniture. Careful sanding of the edges eventually sorted the problem, and if they're securely screwed down they shouldn't move further.

 

[Bobc]

Wooden panels moving slightly against each other. If you go downstairs and listen as she's going along, you'll probably be able to pinpoint where they are coming from. Then depending on where they are, either glue the joint, squeeze some silicone in the joint, or wipe a bit of olive oil or baby oil in the joint.

 

[RupertW]

Used to have a very loud rigging creak whether the tie bar from underside of the stay (inside the cabin) was attached to the hull. The bar would creak against the wooden locker where it passed through. A wedge of paper stopped it completely.

 

[Spuddy]

Cure for creaky floorboards is a dusting of talcum powder along the joints - acts as a lubricant