Creaking tramp frame

Hi all. My tramp frame creaks a lot and is pretty noisy. It comes from where the side rails go into the corner fittings. I have tightened the tramp lacing which helped a bit but still creaks. Is this normal for a newer H16? I do not remember my 81 making noise. Does anybody else have a creaky boat?

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07 H16
Sail No. 110387

My last new 16 creaked for ten years.

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I get a fair amount of creaking on my 16 too, although am not sure where it is coming from- tramp frame to corner castings, corner castings to pylons, dolphin striker to corner castings, or pylons to hull (deck and hull socket.) The noise is coming from the front corners (where the most stress is from the mast and sails.)

So far I have replaced all the nylon nuts with SS nylocks, so will carefully tighten those and the dolphin striker nuts. I was also thinking of removing and replacing all the rivets. I figured it couldn't hurt and I really don't want to try the epoxy pylon method.

Any thoughts?

Over-tightening the pylon bolts will get you nothing but broken castings.

Same with the dolphin striker. It should be only tight enough to go "thummmmm" when you hit it with your hand (it goes "thunk" when it's not tight enough).

Replacing the rivets will work - for a while. But that's just one joint of three that's creaky.

You could shim the pylons if you don't want to glue the boat. That will help for a while, too.

The only way to truly cure a creaky boat is to glue it.

I've been careful about not over torquing and cracking the castings. It sure would be nice to know where the sound is coming from, however.

I went thru 6 new h16's trying to find one for myself that didn't creak . it came in 2004 worlds boat, it may have squeaked when new but by the time it arrived in at the shop it was quiet as a mouse! Just keep sailing it should get quiet

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Brad Stephens
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I have an 83H16 and the thing has creaked for years. I've just put up with it. What do you mean by glueing the boat?? I would like mine to stop too. I have checked all bolts and rivets and they are all tight and in good shape......hhmmm

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'83 H16 Tequilla Sunrise and Cat Fever

Thanks for the replies. I will contimue to sail it! Actually I do not notice it much on the very windy days but on the lighter to moderate wind days (which is when wife is crew) its pretty noticable. I was also told by the local dealer that it will subside with time. I have had the boat out 25 times so far this year and still noisy but this is a very small annoyance as the boat is performing very well and I am completely happy with it. Thanks again all.

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07 H16
Sail No. 110387

How is the sailing up in Coeur d'Alene?

Does that deep water stay cool into the summer? My sister camps and boats there on occasion. I've flown over it many times in years past (courtesy of the USN) but have never been there on the ground.

My 2006 boat is also very creaky.I have been told that means it is stiff.I also read once that Enrique Figurioa (world class 16 sailor) likes his boats to be creaky,means they are stiff and fast. Also remember with my older boat the more I shimed it and tighened the tramp the noisier it got.Some guys put some marine grease on the pylons when assembling it.

that must mean that I have a fast boat. the tramp is tight. and they are predicting wind for friday in atlanta so hopefully i get to put her in the water.

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'83 H16 Tequilla Sunrise and Cat Fever