Rattling Laser!

A

adrian morgan

New Member
An old chestnut, for sure. A secondhand Laser, vintage 118,000, my third, has something rattling in the hull, under the foredeck. Not buoyancy bags, so must be loose structure, reinforcement.

No flex in decks. What is it?

Will fit inspection hatch, and check mast step at the same time.

Where best to place hatch?

Thanks. I'm sure it's an old topic, and I did see a thread from 2005, which might be all I need to know.

Thanks

Adrian
 
Alex's first boat, circa 137000 , had polystyrene blocks enveloped in plastic which bounced around in the hull. I always believed that they were initially glued to the undersides of the deck, but got loose. I offered many times to put in an inspection port to remove them (I thought they were water logged). Alex refuseed to have an inspection port
Steve
 
Thanks for that. It may well be the reason for the rattle. I am still keen to add an inspection hatch, or maybe two, as I like symmetry and if there is a problem with the mast step, then the more light the better to see and work under.

It will also allow better drying out (unless the hatches leak!)

Where to put the hatches will be the issue. Probably both on the foredeck, either side, a few inches aft of the mast tube. Or cb case? Probably too far from the mast step to work if it needs anything done.
 
I think the consensus is that its best to avoid the centerline of the boat for an inspection port. There is reinforcement in the deck there. On my boat that advice was not followed (installed by a previous owner), as you can see from my photo. Beside the dagger trunk is a bit far away for reaching the mast tube, as you said.
 
Thanks all. On cutting the hatch, I found the rattle was indeed caused by three buoyancy bags, or rather plastic water containers, with some building debris (cured bonding material etc.) It seems as though the bags were taped to the hull, but over the years the tape had lost its stick.

A friend with a Laser swore they "sank like a stone" when holed and no buoyancy was fitted. Perhaps different builders had different rules, depending on country. Mine was a PS, 1986 and clearly well put together. At least I know what the rattle is, and that in the event of a T bone, it won't sink!

Mast step looked perfect.
 
Where did you end up cutting the inspection port? Trying to decide myself. No specific hull repair needed, just making sure it's dried out and any bad buoyancy foam can be removed and replaced if neccesary. (Also have a slight rattle but seems to be more in the stern?)
 
reedhedges said:
Where did you end up cutting the inspection port? Trying to decide myself. No specific hull repair needed, just making sure it's dried out and any bad buoyancy foam can be removed and replaced if neccesary. (Also have a slight rattle but seems to be more in the stern?)
Click to expand...

Holes, one each side, cut to fit two 170mm outside diameter hatches, six inches back from mast hole, 12in apart. Not critical, but wanted close enough to step if repair needed, but in strong part of deck. No issues found but will help to dry out, and maybe for small item storage.
 
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