creaking & vibration

russellmania · 23-07-2008, 14:52

On the port side tack, my 26' vibrates and creaks. However, it doesn't do it on the starboard tack. It has just recently started this. I was told by folks at the dock that the previous owner had ran her aground before. She has a shoal draft keel. I dove down to feel around the keel and none of the bolts seemed loose and she isn't taking on water. Also, I dove down with a friend to give the keel a few tugs to see if it may be loose, nothing. I noticed that a spreader was a little bit loose as are the stays on the same side. Can this be the problem? The vibration and creaks are mainly felt from the midship while she is heeled over on the port side. Any suggestions? Does this sound like keel damage?

SkiprJohn · 23-07-2008, 15:07

Aloha Russell,
I would say that you might want to tune your shrouds and stays, tighten up your spreader and then try a test sail. Spreaders should not point horizontal but have a bit of an upward tilt. Before you get underway tighten your shrouds just enough to take out the slack (both sides equally while the mast is straight up and down). Real tuning is done while underway and requires a practiced eye. Shrouds are on the port and starboard side. Stays are fore and aft. If you've been down to investigate the keel then that shouldn't be it. The creaking might come from chainplates as they tighten and slacken and the mast shifts a bit.
I know you know this but starboard tack is when your mainsail and boom are carried on the port side and port tack is when your mainsail is carried on your starboard side. I was a little confused by how you described which side it was that was creaking. I had an older Catalina 22 that would vibrate through the rudder on one tack because the gudgeons were worn quite a bit. I know you said it was amidships that you had the problem so I wouldn't expect that to be of value.
Kind regards,
JohnL

Vasco · 23-07-2008, 15:09

If a spreader's loose, work on tuning your rig first. If you're heeled over on the port side you're on starboard tack.

In any event it doesn't strike me as a loose keel bolt problem. Look in the bilge, is water coming in at the bolts?

noelex 77 · 23-07-2008, 15:32

I would also have a close look at the chainplates

23-07-2008, 14:52	#1
russellmania Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8	creaking & vibration On the port side tack, my 26' vibrates and creaks. However, it doesn't do it on the starboard tack. It has just recently started this. I was told by folks at the dock that the previous owner had ran her aground before. She has a shoal draft keel. I dove down to feel around the keel and none of the bolts seemed loose and she isn't taking on water. Also, I dove down with a friend to give the keel a few tugs to see if it may be loose, nothing. I noticed that a spreader was a little bit loose as are the stays on the same side. Can this be the problem? The vibration and creaks are mainly felt from the midship while she is heeled over on the port side. Any suggestions? Does this sound like keel damage? __________________ Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind That our forefathers harnessed before us Hear the bells ring as the tight rigging sings It's a son of a gun of a chorus

23-07-2008, 15:09	#3
Vasco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto in summer, further south in winter. Boat: CS36Merlin, "La Belle Aurore" Ben393 "Breathless" Posts: 1,804 Images: 34	If a spreader's loose, work on tuning your rig first. If you're heeled over on the port side you're on starboard tack. In any event it doesn't strike me as a loose keel bolt problem. Look in the bilge, is water coming in at the bolts? __________________ Rick I Toronto

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Incredibly slowdown and moderate vibration of the outboard.	sluissa	Propellers & Drive Systems	2	20-07-2008 17:25
Fouled Prop Vibration	Latitude9.5	Propellers & Drive Systems	2	04-02-2008 13:49
Vibration from a 1 cylinder Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury 6 HP 4-stroke?	CSY Man	Auxiliary Equipment & Dinghy	5	02-10-2007 18:37
Air X vibration?	EagleSailTwo	Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar	3	03-09-2006 18:59
Vibration fwd gear problem 2 blade gori prop	737flyboy	Engines and Propulsion Systems	5	11-01-2006 17:28

23-07-2008, 15:07	#2
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 3,726	Aloha Russell, I would say that you might want to tune your shrouds and stays, tighten up your spreader and then try a test sail. Spreaders should not point horizontal but have a bit of an upward tilt. Before you get underway tighten your shrouds just enough to take out the slack (both sides equally while the mast is straight up and down). Real tuning is done while underway and requires a practiced eye. Shrouds are on the port and starboard side. Stays are fore and aft. If you've been down to investigate the keel then that shouldn't be it. The creaking might come from chainplates as they tighten and slacken and the mast shifts a bit. I know you know this but starboard tack is when your mainsail and boom are carried on the port side and port tack is when your mainsail is carried on your starboard side. I was a little confused by how you described which side it was that was creaking. I had an older Catalina 22 that would vibrate through the rudder on one tack because the gudgeons were worn quite a bit. I know you said it was amidships that you had the problem so I wouldn't expect that to be of value. Kind regards, JohnL

23-07-2008, 15:32	#4
noelex 77 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: crusing Mediteranian Boat: Alumarine, one design aluminium cruiser , Amzer Zo Posts: 72	I would also have a close look at the chainplates