crackling noise deck

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J

Jared

Does a crackling noise in the deck when walking on it definitely indicate some level of delamination? I hear some minor crackling noise when walking over our decks forward of the mast, but the deck feels solid and not bouncy. Also, there is none of this spongy, dig your toes in, feelings at all in the decks that I read about. It only seems to do it when we initially walk on it after a week away, then doesn't do it anymore until the following week. I tried banging it with the back of a screwdriver handle and really cannot hear a difference in tone, but I do not have a trained ear for this sort of thing. Should we be worrying about it?
 
Dec 25, 2000
5,931
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Jared, if it were my boat I would have...

a marine surveyor friend look at it the next time they happen to be on the dock doing work on another boat. They know what to look and listen for and can give you a professional opinion. They might do it for free or charge a small fee well worth peace of mind. Terry
 
Mar 22, 2005
47
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I have the same

The boat I recently purchased does the same. I had it surveyed before I bought it. The surveyer said he sounded the decks and they were fine. I did not notice this till the boat came home and I really had a good look at it. The boat was a brokerage boat. I spoke to the previous owner and he mentioned the boat has done that for him for sometime and he had it surveyednfor insurance and it also came up clean. The area on my boat seems to be just on the deck port and stbd right in line with the mast step. I removed the windows in the area just to check for wet core around them and they seem to be fine. I don't think there is a problem with my boat but the sound bugs me nonetheless. What is your boat? Dave
 
J

Jared

H34

I have a 1987 H34. I think that just to satisfy myself I will drill a small exploratory hole and check for moisture in the deck this winter. My surveyor sounded the deck and said no problem as well (about a year ago). My problem is that i read too much and see something in print that says "this noise means moisture in deck" and then I start worrying. I guess I should spend more time sailing and less time reading...
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
A simple place to check is

the underside of the twin forward mushroom vents. Just unscrew the little plastic covers in the vee berth overhead. The wood will be visible. And that's the only place. The hatch cutouts are all glassed at the factory. Even when they need bedding, water can't get between the deck and liner. And I wouldn't worry about it. You've done the important tests.
 
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