in any kind or rolling sea or sailing at 15 degrees or more heel - the forward bulkhead moves and squeaks could this be related to a compression post problem? is the bulkhead tabbed to the hull and/or deck? lots of movement in the vee as well any suggestions? capt russ
- Status
Mine too
I've got a 37.5 and see the same thing. No the "Bulkheads" are not tabbed into anything. The boat is constructed as three structural members, the hull, the pan, and the deck. The pan is bonded to the hull and the deck sits on to and is bolted and bonded to the hull. The overhead liner is bonded to the deck (I think???) but it is not a structural member, just cosmetic. The furniture and bulkheads essentially just drop in. They are mechanically fastened (screws) to the pan but I don't think there is any bonding to any of the structural members. Anyway, this method of construction is used by most production boatbuilders. It makes a very strong structure, but not a particularly rigid one. Particularly for torsional loads like you get in big waves. On my boat most of the squeeks come from the area where the bulkheads (particularly in the galley) slot into the overhead liner. Jim "Prospect"
I've got a 37.5 and see the same thing. No the "Bulkheads" are not tabbed into anything. The boat is constructed as three structural members, the hull, the pan, and the deck. The pan is bonded to the hull and the deck sits on to and is bolted and bonded to the hull. The overhead liner is bonded to the deck (I think???) but it is not a structural member, just cosmetic. The furniture and bulkheads essentially just drop in. They are mechanically fastened (screws) to the pan but I don't think there is any bonding to any of the structural members. Anyway, this method of construction is used by most production boatbuilders. It makes a very strong structure, but not a particularly rigid one. Particularly for torsional loads like you get in big waves. On my boat most of the squeeks come from the area where the bulkheads (particularly in the galley) slot into the overhead liner. Jim "Prospect"
mine also
feb 2000, on a trip to west end in heavy seas at least for me 8-10 beating had some squeaks in the head, did the abaco, back to launderdale, miami,keywest, tampa, panama city all outside still have the squeaks but no leaks or problems that i know of.
feb 2000, on a trip to west end in heavy seas at least for me 8-10 beating had some squeaks in the head, did the abaco, back to launderdale, miami,keywest, tampa, panama city all outside still have the squeaks but no leaks or problems that i know of.
Squeeks
Early 34s had some problems with oil canning in the v berth area. The factory added laminate under warrenty for those who complained. I did, and the v berth was removed and additional glass added. I believe that this problem was fixed on later boats. Also check the longitudinal structure under the v berth to be sure it is still glued to the hull. A boat that has seen a hard life may have some separation of the liner from the hull in this area (I think this is a rare problem). The main bulkhead is screwed to the overhead and lower structural member. I believe there is minimal tabbing to the side of the hull. The bulkhead is not intended to be a structural member and may work slightly. I would consider checking the screws that hold the bulkhead to the structure, they may have worked loose over the years. Tightening the screws may or may not help. I do not think that such creeks are necessarily a sign of compression post problems. On occasion my boat will also creek, but I can't say that I ever saw movement of structure or bulkhead eventhough you know there must be some to cause the noise. I have to temper that remark by saying that I am usually topside under conditions that might cause such movement and I have never spent time below doing a survey while the boat is taking a bashing.
Early 34s had some problems with oil canning in the v berth area. The factory added laminate under warrenty for those who complained. I did, and the v berth was removed and additional glass added. I believe that this problem was fixed on later boats. Also check the longitudinal structure under the v berth to be sure it is still glued to the hull. A boat that has seen a hard life may have some separation of the liner from the hull in this area (I think this is a rare problem). The main bulkhead is screwed to the overhead and lower structural member. I believe there is minimal tabbing to the side of the hull. The bulkhead is not intended to be a structural member and may work slightly. I would consider checking the screws that hold the bulkhead to the structure, they may have worked loose over the years. Tightening the screws may or may not help. I do not think that such creeks are necessarily a sign of compression post problems. On occasion my boat will also creek, but I can't say that I ever saw movement of structure or bulkhead eventhough you know there must be some to cause the noise. I have to temper that remark by saying that I am usually topside under conditions that might cause such movement and I have never spent time below doing a survey while the boat is taking a bashing.
Squeaky bulkhead goes with sailing
A ertain amount of squeaks from the bulkhead area should't be an item of concern or cause for alarm.
A ertain amount of squeaks from the bulkhead area should't be an item of concern or cause for alarm.
No bulkheads-no noise..
..as my 'open space' 29.5 has no bulkheads to speak of( and I must say rightfully so..). On more serious note , that noise is due to movments of bulkheads and adjoined furniture parts, when they are NOT laminated to hull and deck but 'sloted in' or 'bonded'. For an offshore cruising boat , which should stand much more 'abuse' from nature , and for prolonged time , there is no substitute for those structural parts(not the cabin headliners..) but being strongly laminated to hull.their 'squiky' movments will affect -in time- not only general rigitity and 'extreme condition' survival, but practical issues like doors than wont't close at certain heeling angle, or unexpected ( an often unseen) leakes appearing at strange locations.. There are many manufacturers ( aggreed, not the mass/line production ones)that still do laminate the structural bulkheads , as well as the major furniture frames, to the hull. For sailors who mostly do coastal-occasional offshore- sailing ( and that's the majority of us),and trade-in/up every several years to new boats, this shouldn't be more than an eastetic nuisance..
..as my 'open space' 29.5 has no bulkheads to speak of( and I must say rightfully so..). On more serious note , that noise is due to movments of bulkheads and adjoined furniture parts, when they are NOT laminated to hull and deck but 'sloted in' or 'bonded'. For an offshore cruising boat , which should stand much more 'abuse' from nature , and for prolonged time , there is no substitute for those structural parts(not the cabin headliners..) but being strongly laminated to hull.their 'squiky' movments will affect -in time- not only general rigitity and 'extreme condition' survival, but practical issues like doors than wont't close at certain heeling angle, or unexpected ( an often unseen) leakes appearing at strange locations.. There are many manufacturers ( aggreed, not the mass/line production ones)that still do laminate the structural bulkheads , as well as the major furniture frames, to the hull. For sailors who mostly do coastal-occasional offshore- sailing ( and that's the majority of us),and trade-in/up every several years to new boats, this shouldn't be more than an eastetic nuisance..
- Status