Port side bulk head squeaking under sail

[MagicalArmchair]

We have just returned from our summer cruise from the River Medway in Kent in England, to Nieuwpoort in Belgium, up to Cadzands in Holland and then back via Ramsgate.

On the crossing back from Niewpoort we had a cracking sail with some brisk and sporty South Easterlies, four, building to five, gusting six. Down below, on the port side of the boat, there was a creaking sound that is really rather noisy as we come up and down the swell. We are on stbd tack, so boom to port.

It's coming from the locker in the forward cabin, where I think there is a chain plate? Anyone else had this?

[Yngmar]

We've had that creak. It came from the bulkhead. On the 40 Ocean there was a small triangular access panel on the bathroom side. It wasn't a structural problem, just creaking of the inner GRP moulding that forms the bathroom against the bulkhead. I tabbed them together with some fibreglass one winter and never heard it again. Access will be a problem if you don't have that panel though.

[MagicalArmchair]

Thanks Yngmar - this is the side opposite the heads, so hopefully I can just tab the bulkhead inside the hanging locker to the hull and it'll stop groaning. I'll clear out all the rubbish from that locker and take some photos.