Creaking noise

[PhilR]

I hear a loud, creaking type noise just below the helm when running at speed,that occurs when there is a chop on the water and the bow makes impact. The more wave, the more noise. Been doing this since the boat was new....I'm a bit slow in getting around to it, but it's getting tiresome, and it alarms passengers. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Phil

 

[Rebel]

It happens to us now and then. Its always a surprise. We have no idea where the noice comes from. Seems to occur when we hit a wake at an angle. John Turner

 

[PhilR]

Maybe it only happens to people who live in cities named Albany.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Nope. Happens to people (us) on San Francisco Bay with a 25 kt breeze blowing against an ebb tide. Especially when quartering sharp, nasty breaking waves on days when we really don't belong on the water but are in a hurry to get somewhere.

Our creak is loud and occurs when the boat is torqued as it drops off a wave and strikes another. The noise is occasional and comes from the teak bulkhead on the port side, where it meets that complex join between the hull, sole and superstructure. We have chosen to live with it since it is rare and does not appear to be a structural problem.

Still, we did two crossings of Georgia Strait this summer in less than ideal conditions and only heard the creak a couple of times.

 

[PhilR]

Sounds like I'm not alone. I guess I'll remove the panel in the forward berth, below the helm wiring access door and see what I see. Something is rubbing against something else and it's getting annoying.

 

[aginglawyer]

I am 67 and thought it was my knees. 😛

 

[baz]

We have a MY2010 R-25 and we have not heard any such noise. At first I was beginning to think it was unique to the R-27, but I see at least one R-25 owner has indicated the noise has been heard.

FYI...
If the R-27 is anything like the R-25 with reference to the panel below the helm console's wiring access door in the V-berth I can tell you, there's not much there. The panel attaches to the bulkhead with screws into some wooden slats. I say this as I replaced those panels (both port and starboard ones) which originally had monkey fur with vinyl clad panels. I took the panels to the Kent factory who recovered them with the perforated vinyl material... free of charge as well. Each panel is actually two pieces that must be folded some to remove the whole panel after the V-berth cushions have been completely removed.

 

[Nellie Too]

I'm 68, it is my knees, and hips, shoulders and any other moving parts.
Bob

 

[PhilR]

Hey Guys....I'm 70 with 4 yr old knees and major work on various other joints. It ain't me...it's the boat. If my hearing continues to deteriorate, pretty soon I won't hear the creaking noise...problem solved!

Phil

 

[dalee62]

My R21 has been making a loud squeak/crack for a year now when I hit any kind of chop head on. It will also do it but not as bad when I step on the forward deck. I am assuming it is where the cabin and deck structure attaches to the hull. I went around and tightened everything I could find but it didn't help. When I have someone with me and it does it I hand them a life jacket and tell them to put it on. I like the look on their faces.

I'm hoping someone at the rendezvous will be able to shed some light on the topic.

Dave