Simple Question........

[Michael Siggers]

Hi

 

So a simple question.......

 

Why would walking on the floor cause the side cabin and roof timber to creak?

 

Mike

[Tonka]

Because the wall that supports the ceiling is supported by the floor which bends as you walk over it

 

[Michael Siggers]

The Bulkheads go through the roof lining and do not support the roof. And what about the Cabin sides?

 

Mike

[Tonka]

6 minutes ago, Michael Siggers said:

The Bulkheads go through the roof lining and do not support the roof. And what about the Cabin sides?

 

Mike

The beams are not resting on the bulkheads ?

[David Mack]

What type of boat?

Does it have a wooden cabin, or are you referring to wooden lining timbers to a steel cabin?

[robtheplod]

Its a boat... everything creaks, including the crew usually!!! 

Edited March 6 by robtheplod

[Tony Brooks]

2 hours ago, Michael Siggers said:

Hi

 

So a simple question.......

 

Why would walking on the floor cause the side cabin and roof timber to creak?

 

Mike

 

All the time or only during/shortly after a change in temperature. If the latter it could be stresses built up by the cabin side expanding contacting more than the lining releasing the stress as your walking vibrates the structure. I mention this because we have just had a couple of warm days and hot sun.

[Michael Siggers]

On 06/03/2026 at 15:51, Tony Brooks said:

 

All the time or only during/shortly after a change in temperature. If the latter it could be stresses built up by the cabin side expanding contacting more than the lining releasing the stress as your walking vibrates the structure. I mention this because we have just had a couple of warm days and hot sun.

Seems to depend on the temperature outside.

 

This seems to be it. Just puzzled as why it did not do it when I first got the boat. I suppose the wood could have dried out since I've been living on board.

 

Mike

[Tam & Di]

8 minutes ago, Michael Siggers said:

Seems to depend on the temperature outside.

 

This seems to be it. Just puzzled as why it did not do it when I first got the boat. I suppose the wood could have dried out since I've been living on board.

 

Your hull does not have adequate cross bracing to counteract the weight of you on the floor. A working narrowboat has cross beams and chains to avoid this effect as the freight is loaded or discharged. Temperature and humidity could exagerate the effect, as suggested, as would your central heating or whatever.

[Michael Siggers]

25 minutes ago, Tam & Di said:

Your hull does not have adequate cross bracing to counteract the weight of you on the floor.

The cross braces are at 24 inches centres. I though this was standard for a narrowboat? Must admit, if I was having a boat built, I'd specify 400mm centres.

 

Mike

Edited March 18 by Michael Siggers

[Tam & Di]

What do you mean by cross braces? I am talking about beams at about gunnel level or maybe bulkheads across the boat and which are attached to each side. If you mean roof beams they would not have the same effect of preventing the movement of the hull sides.

[Alan de Enfield]

43 minutes ago, Tam & Di said:

What do you mean by cross braces? I am talking about beams at about gunnel level or maybe bulkheads across the boat and which are attached to each side. If you mean roof beams they would not have the same effect of preventing the movement of the hull sides.

 

I think he means "floor joists"

[Tam & Di]

Could be - but they won't particularly stop the sides flexing either.

[Michael Siggers]

Yes, apologies. I meant the Floor Bearers.

Basically, is my boat faulty?

[IanM]

20 minutes ago, Michael Siggers said:

Yes, apologies. I meant the Floor Bearers.

Basically, is my boat faulty?

 

Basically, no.

[Arthur Marshall]

1 hour ago, Michael Siggers said:

Yes, apologies. I meant the Floor Bearers.

Basically, is my boat faulty?

All boats are faulty, in that they are largely a collection of bodges held together with hope. Although I suppose you could argue that they're only faulty if they sink.

The roof expands when it gets hot and contracts when it's cold, which means your inner, wooden ceiling never quite fits. Mine is tongue and groove and parts of it move quite a lot in a hot dry summer.  The sides and floor are wood screwed to metal which has a different expansion rate. It's a wondrous thing that it doesn't fly apart, screws hurtling like shrapnel, windows shattering into lethal shards, laying waste to the occupants and casual passers by.

I really think the BSS should look into it.

[jacko264]

6 hours ago, Michael Siggers said:

Yes, apologies. I meant the Floor Bearers.

Basically, is my boat faulty?

 Sorry I had to say it your just to heavy 🫢🫢🙈 did I say that out loud 

G

[Ronaldo47]

On 06/03/2026 at 13:44, Michael Siggers said:

Hi

 

So a simple question.......

 

Why would walking on the floor cause the side cabin and roof timber to creak?

 

Mike

The  office partitions of the 1960's steel framed office block I worked in at Marconi in the late 1990's used to do that when I was the first one in in the morning! 

Edited March 18 by Ronaldo47
Typos