Silencing Squeaking Floor Boards . . .

[PatrickS]

The floorboards of my cabin sole squeak quite a bit as I move about the cabin and I've been pondering how best to silence them.

Hard bar soap? Beeswax? Teak oil? something else?

Advice about proven solutions very welcome!

[GordMay]

How are they fastened?

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

We have the same problem with the teak grid in the head. I too would welcome advice. The grid is fastened with brass brads.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by PatrickS

The floorboards of my cabin sole squeak quite a bit as I move about the cabin and I've been pondering how best to silence them.

Hard bar soap? Beeswax? Teak oil? something else?

Advice about proven solutions very welcome!

See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ards-7347.html

[cburger]

If the sqeaks are a real problem, the issue is usaly the seams rubbing together as you walk in that area. Unfortunately trying to lubrcate the boardswill bevery difficult anonly a temporaray solution if it can be accomplished at all. The only solution would be to remove the boards ad rescrew, rebed them back down into some type of adhesive sealant, (Liquid nails).

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

See http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ards-7347.html

I had to read through 17 posts to see you recommended Sail Kote.

I recommed a stringent diet of poppy seeds and nothing else for 6 months. I bet the boards won't creak then! If they do try laying down lots of thick rugs I love squichy carpet under my tootsies

[Viking Sailor]

Make sure cabin sole or floors have not failed. Use powered talc to lube squeak points.

[zeehag]

beeswax is good for the wood and works well.i dont lube mine as i like having the ability to know if there is someone in my boat..is excellent warning---although a bit late...i know exactly where they are by the squeaks. kinda like old farm flooring, back in the day.....ye always knew when mom was gonna sprize ye so ye hid the evidence and got ready.....

[tager]

Yea my dad used this trick against me plenty while I was a wild high school kid. Squeaky doors and floors! I did get very good at moving slowly and carefully while "under the influence."

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by tager

Yea my dad used this trick against me plenty while I was a wild high school kid. Squeaky doors and floors! I did get very good at moving slowly and carefully while "under the influence."

we were horrid children--ate mommas cookies in middle of night--- she would hear the quiet and get us that way-- we were TOO careful of the squeaks...
but they make great warnings..i DO like my slider quiet somewhat-- so i beeswax it with surfers beeswax..was given a stash of that long ago and knew about the beeswax on wood thing since i was a kidlet....

[capt_douglas]

I'd first want to figure how and where the squeaking is coming from. That sound tends to remind me that one edge is not being supported correctly because if it were, there'd be no squeak. However, in some boat designs, deck access panels aren't supported on all 4 sides well enough to prevent motion.

I'd look at reinforcing the areas that allow movement. The comments provided above give some good options for eliminating the sound. Unfortunately, doing so will not eliminate the problem.

[zeehag]

seriously--i know my problem in my formosa is from the framing under th e teak and holly sole-- the rough sole is not in good order in 2 places. those 2 places, individually, do not produce noise. together they make a goodly squawk. might want to look under the floorings. they really dont need a sledge hammering nor a sawzall-- many boats are made so that the sole lifts out in nice pieces. mine is that way. i have 2 areas where the supporting boards no longer have the strength they used to -- so i have to replace 2 boards and no squeek.
i am procrastinating as i know there is no immediate danger form this-- can wait.(one is a place whereon i fell in 2008 breaking my body a tad--i know that one is a bit broken.....good thing i got her back. now we can be friends LOL)

[mrohr]

Might try shims,I used the plastic ones available at Home Depot.

[Jentine]

There are only a few reasons that decks and or floors squeak, that being a bad fit or not properly secured. My interior deck panels have little rubber tits that stick out of the side of the panels and prevent squeak. When they wear out I cut a large piece from an old "O" ring and stick it in the hole. The pressure keeps the panels apart and prevents squeek.

[zeehag]

mine squeak because the substructure is failing a tad---look into that option, as it is probable in yours, also.