We removed the locker from the bulkhead in the aft cabin to investigate its attachment and to try to find a solution to keep it from creaking while sailing in the ocean
For the most part, Madrone is a well-built boat. The hull is solid and strong, the fittings are top quality, and the craftsmanship of the woodwork below is generally fantastic. Ta Shing has a reputation for being one of the top boatyards in the world, and our experience with Madrone has shown that reputation to be generally well-deserved.
Preparing to rebuild the screw holes
When Madrone’s original owners bought the boat, they asked the boatyard to build an additional set of storage lockers for the aft cabin. The yard agreed, and shipped the lockers to the US where they were installed by a local Seattle boatyard. About halfway across the Pacific, those lockers started to creak each time Madrone rolled up an over a wave. Since there’s a wave about every 7 seconds on the open ocean, this made for a lot of squeaking and creaking on the second half of the trip.
Rebuilding the screw holes with wood glue, toothpick inserts & the all-important veterinary forceps
One of our goals before heading home was to investigate and hopefully fix the creaking. Anticipating a huge job to remove the lockers, we emptied the contents and started removing screws. After pulling out six small screws, we were surprised to see the lockers completely pull away from the wall! Whoever was hired to install these apparently gave no thought to the idea that the boat might one day sail across an ocean.
Reattaching the locker- hopefully it will not creak continually on our way home…
We coated all of the surfaces that touch the bulkhead or cabin sole with ultra-slippery UHMWPE tape, and then we rebuilt all of the screw holes with softwood and wood glue. We reattached the lockers with additional screws, and we’re hoping for a quieter cabin for sleeping on the trip home.
