Cockpit Creak (1974 Bristol 27)

[thomm225]

I have two spots in my cockpit that creak at certain times of the year when stepped on.

One near where the tiller goes through and one near where the cockpit sole meets the fiberglass of the bridge deck

Any idea how long it can last before I have to redo the cockpit?

[Benz]

It can last a long time, but if there's water in the core it'll get spongier and spongier. My Irwin 27 didn't even have core there--just a piece of plywood glued to the underside, so it was dead easy to pop it off and properly glue in another piece and glass it over.
If the sole where the tiller comes though is part of the support system for the rudder shaft, then it would be wise to fix that before the rudder goes wonky.
When you drop the rudder to do that is also a good time to inspect the shaft where it goes into the fiberglass rudder body: this is an area where shafts commonly corrode and break.

[thomm225]

Okay, thanks. It really isn't spongy yet it just creaks. (at times)

The tiller has a raised section of about 3" around it also.

It's been doing this for at least 3 years but mainly in Winter.


See photo of Bristol 27 Cockpit and Tiller. Not my boat but same build

[Benz]

^^looks like that raised section is the upper part of a pretty beefy tube--I'd guess that even if the cockpit sole got palpably spongy, the upper skin of fiberglass would be enough to keep the tube from moving around.
BTW, I sometimes creak when I move around, and more so in winter as well....

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Benz

^^looks like that raised section is the upper part of a pretty beefy tube--I'd guess that even if the cockpit sole got palpably spongy, the upper skin of fiberglass would be enough to keep the tube from moving around.
BTW, I sometimes creak when I move around, and more so in winter as well....

Good point. I do also, but the boat is only 44 years old!

I think I'll crawl under there tonight or tomorrow and see what it looks like around the tiller/rudder shaft from the bottom

[barnakiel]

Trim and varnish a ply of wood. Then 3M the wood over the existing floor. Should be safe and dry for another 12 months or so.


Or grind the area back to the laminate and epoxy/glass over. May be good for ever ! ;-)



Cheers,
b.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Trim and varnish a ply of wood. Then 3M the wood over the existing floor. Should be safe and dry for another 12 months or so.


Or grind the area back to the laminate and epoxy/glass over. May be good for ever ! ;-)



Cheers,
b.

Good ideas.

Thanks.