Just a Splash
New Member
RE: 2000 Sundancer 340 - 140 hours
We just took our new-to-us 2000 Sundancer 340 from Oriental, NC to Ocracoke, NC on the outer banks (our most ambitious trip to date). We were running about 10-15 kts in 3 ft seas and the boat was making a god-awful noise as it banged into each wave. Basically from the upper dashboard area, port side, forward of the cockpit sink and just a few inches aft of the windshield base, there was a loud "CRACK" noise each time the boat hit a wave. Keep in mind that this was not an otherwise uncomfortable trip so I don't think we were asking too much of the boat. But the noise was driving us all crazy, CRACK-CRACK-CRACK every other second!
I think the noise is emanating from something under the dashboard in that area, perhaps the interface with the forward wall of the lavatory underneath or some sort of bulkhead in that area. We tried putting pressure on the windshield, the companionway door and the top of the dash, but to no avail, the noise seems to be coming from two structural members rubbing together (like fiberglass on fiberglass) somewhere underneath the dash panel. Interestingly, the noise was much quieter from inside the cabin.
Before I ask my mechanic to take apart half the boat to find it, has anyone experienced this before? Any ideas on where to start?
Thanks for your responses, this forum is a great resource!
We just took our new-to-us 2000 Sundancer 340 from Oriental, NC to Ocracoke, NC on the outer banks (our most ambitious trip to date). We were running about 10-15 kts in 3 ft seas and the boat was making a god-awful noise as it banged into each wave. Basically from the upper dashboard area, port side, forward of the cockpit sink and just a few inches aft of the windshield base, there was a loud "CRACK" noise each time the boat hit a wave. Keep in mind that this was not an otherwise uncomfortable trip so I don't think we were asking too much of the boat. But the noise was driving us all crazy, CRACK-CRACK-CRACK every other second!
I think the noise is emanating from something under the dashboard in that area, perhaps the interface with the forward wall of the lavatory underneath or some sort of bulkhead in that area. We tried putting pressure on the windshield, the companionway door and the top of the dash, but to no avail, the noise seems to be coming from two structural members rubbing together (like fiberglass on fiberglass) somewhere underneath the dash panel. Interestingly, the noise was much quieter from inside the cabin.
Before I ask my mechanic to take apart half the boat to find it, has anyone experienced this before? Any ideas on where to start?
Thanks for your responses, this forum is a great resource!
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