Head by the head - a soundproofing query

[HenrikH]

Our boat has a forward head, just aft of the master cabin. That means that I have a very precise track of nighly needs of guests we have overnight. As there are things that better stay private, I am planning some soundproofing of the bulkhead. Any experiences or ideas of what to use?

 

[Sandy]

You are on a boat, nothing stays private!

An alternative is moving out of the master cabin when guests are onboard for a better nights sleep. This should be done with great aplomb, 'Welcome to the boat, as my guests I insist you take the best cabin onboard', you know the sort of thing.

On one boat I sail on there are a number of bunks just by the heads! 20 people share two heads with very noisy pumps and strict instructions that the bowl needs to be filled and emptied three times to ensure that the 'stuff' gets to the black water tank, I am VERY selective where I place my kit at the start of a voyage.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Only 1 of our 4 berths does not directly abut the heads. And that one, being opposite the door has that thing that Daydream Believer mentioned a week or so ago. Everyone who uses the heads has to put their backside right in the face of the berth occupant. We choose overnight guests with care

 

[Boathook]

Our boat has a forward head, just aft of the master cabin. That means that I have a very precise track of nighly needs of guests we have overnight. As there are things that better stay private, I am planning some soundproofing of the bulkhead. Any experiences or ideas of what to use?

Ear plugs.
I have found these good 3M 1100 37dB Foam Ear Plugs 200 Pairs - Screwfix at home and on the boat.

 

[Concerto]

This year I came across the perfect solution. I went aboard a 16.5 metre RIB with accomodation for 6 on board in 3 cabins. When the owner has guests on board, none of the guests ever sleep on board as they find the cabins too small, so they book into the best rooms of the best hotel in the port they arrive at (at their own expense). May be you should suggest this is normal policy on your boat.

 

[PCUK]

4 inch Celotex from the local builders merchant covered with decorative vinyl should do the trick. Also add airtight seals to the door as that makes a huge difference as well.

 

[HenrikH]

4 inch Celotex from the local builders merchant covered with decorative vinyl should do the trick. Also add airtight seals to the door as that makes a huge difference as well.

Thanks.
No doubt a 4 inch plate should do wonders. I was hoping for some miracle material of about 1/2 inch.

 

[PCUK]

Vetus make a thin sound insulation that is 12mm thick so may be worth looking into. If you covered it with 4mm ply that would give you a smooth surface to decorate.

 

[HenrikH]

Vetus make a thin sound insulation that is 12mm thick so may be worth looking into. If you covered it with 4mm ply that would give you a smooth surface to decorate.

This looks like what I hoped for.

 

[justanothersailboat]

12mm sounds promising. If I took 4" off either side of my heads it would prevent unwelcome noises quite effectively by making it absolutely impossible for an adult to fit in the heads at all :-D

 

[Wansworth]

Feed guests rice,hence constipation qed

 

[ChromeDome]

It isn't an exact science, but two tips:

Check

Armaflex by
https://www.armacell.com/products/insulation-solutions

and/or

Barrier Shield Soundproofing Sheets | Noisestop Soundproofing

 

[HenrikH]

Barrier Shield Soundproofing Sheets | Noisestop Soundproofing

Thanks!
This looks hightech - only 5mm - but a surface sheet on tip may be beneficial

 

[thinwater]

You are on a boat, nothing stays private!...

This.

As a species, at least in the west, we've gotton awfully fussy. It's just the noises of life. They don't matter.

 

[LittleSister]

I think sound insulation might mitigate the problem, but not eliminate it.

What you need is a timer on the light switch, which also powers the extractor fan and a sound system playing heavy metal, 1812 Overture, or whatever else you think might suitably blanket the sounds.

 

[coopec]

Between the toilet and the saloon I have Wet Area Sheeting/19mm ply bulkhead/foam cushions. The toilet/shower door has a layer of Divinycell foam core which hopefully will be sound deadening.

THEN I have installed a fairly noisy 130 CFM extractor fan which exhausts into the chain locker. Hopefully that will give the toilet/shower occupant complete privacy

 

[ChromeDome]

No an

Thanks!
This looks hightech - only 5mm - but a surface sheet on tip may be beneficial

I am not an expert, but I know from people who work with technical insulation that the focus is on encapsulating noise and absorbing noise. And that noise can be sound, vibration or other.

In addition, it may be a requirement that the insulation can be cleaned, meets design requirements, etc.

Worth talking to someone who has knowledge of the subject and possible solutions, also regarding your specific problem

 

[HenrikH]

I think sound insulation might mitigate the problem, but not eliminate it.

What you need is a timer on the light switch, which also powers the extractor fan and a sound system playing heavy metal, 1812 Overture, or whatever else you think might suitably blanket the sounds.

It’s about sleep - Sandman maybe?

 

[MoodySabre]

Imodium for dinner.

 

[penfold]

A major source of the noise is the toilet and hoses being rigidly mounted to the hull, which conducts the noise quite effectively; flexibly mounting the toilet(attaching the toilet to plywood etc that is fixed with anti-vibration mounts) and making sure the hose isn't touching hard surfaces by placement of foam rubber pads would mitigate the noise transmission.