Does your Beneteau Creak ?

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by Hugh Walker

I purchased a 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 46 a couple months ago and during a recent overnight passage in high winds and lumpy seas I was horrified at the level of squeaks and creaks I heard in the fore and aft cabins. The volume and irritation was such that you couldn't sleep without ear plugs.

I've done some investigation and I think the noises are the edges of plywood panels rubbing against each other or the hull liner as the hull flexes under load. In some places I can actually see a fine dust accumulating where panels rub.

My basic understanding of Beneteau construction is that the majority of the structural strength is in a reinforced hull liner that is bonded to the hull. Most all of the non structural furniture is simply screwed plywood panels which sit into this liner.

My mind is turning with thoughts of bonding the offending panels too the hull liner or maybe just inserting a layer of tape under the plywood edges over which the panels could slide silently rather than scrape.

Anyone else have this problem? Any successful solutions found?

I haven't found the boat that makes no noise under sail in a seaway. One factor that turned me off buying a production boat is that I couldn't find one that didn't creek at anchor. Many times I have tried to sleep on a friends Bavaria / Bene at anchor and someone getting up to have a pee at night wakes the whole boat because of the loose boards and lightweight steps creeking. The Sydney boat show is coming up. All but a few of the yachts will creek while tied up at the marina with only the weight of a barefoot visitor. The ones that don't creek have all the bulkheads fully fiberglassed, all the furniture fully glassed in as a structural member and all floorboards heavily hinged with secure locking lids. Once you get rid of the creeking due to cheap manufacturer, the creeking that happens at sea is minimal and gives the boat a character and persona of it's own. With my new boat nearly done, I'm hoping my theory holds true.

Greg

[Bill Burgette]

Probably kinda like an old Panhead Harley. If it's leaking oil you know it ain't empty. If your Bene's creaking at least it's not on the hard or sunk.

[sailstoo]

No but I sure do when I get outta the rack for my watch.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Actually, I would be interested in hearing from someone who claims their boat doesn't creak in a seaway.
.

Hi Don and Katie,

Well, here I am! Insatiable II does not creak whilst sailing in any seaway yet encountered. The strip plank composite hull is very noisy in terms of transmitted water noises or raindrops on the deck, but she doesn't creak at all.

Cheers,

[perchance]

My boat creaks but so do most of my joints so we are a good match.

[ShaunJ]

My 1987 432 Beneteau doesn't keep me up at night. We have a few squeaks but nothing compared to your symptoms.

[Sabbatical II]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Hi Don and Katie,

Well, here I am! Insatiable II does not creak whilst sailing in any seaway yet encountered. The strip plank composite hull is very noisy in terms of transmitted water noises or raindrops on the deck, but she doesn't creak at all.

Cheers,

Now Jim, don't forget I've been on your boat and I thought you were reporting some creaky joints. Was I mistaken?

Greg

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Eleebana

Now Jim, don't forget I've been on your boat and I thought you were reporting some creaky joints. Was I mistaken?

Greg

Naahhh, Greg, that was Ann, and we're getting them refitted even as we speak. Her new Titanium knees should be whisper quiet... don't even have any zerk fittings to grease. AS for me, if I ever moved my joints might complain, but I dunno.

Cheers,

Jim

[SaltyMonkey]

Do you think the euro built models creak more or less than the USA built models?

[bigpuff]

once every 6 m0nths or so i go around with a phillips screw driver and give every screw a tweak.it helps until the next beat to windward slog in 30knts(particuly the door surrounds.

[boatman61]

I thought all plastic boats over a certain size creaked in weather ...

[goboatingnow]

sailed a HR 42, so much noise below from the teak creaking that you couldnt talk

Dave

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

sailed a HR 42, so much noise below from the teak creaking that you couldnt talk

Dave

Sailed a Contest 29 like that... tho' a lower class orchestra... veneered ply

[TEE]

I have been on quite a number of Beneteau built boats, mostly charterboats. When walking on the cabin floor at night, the floor itself seems to squeak loudly. At anchor the boats seem to squeak. I think that's just how it is on a Beneteau. Recommend a good set of earplugs. I think rebuilding the boat to stop the squeaking would just create a new set of problems. I own a Shannon and the way they are built with everything bonded, and with the thick wood cabin floors, it is pretty quiet even though it is getting to be an old boat.

[Vasco]

Not as much as I do.