interior hull movement

[jeneaton1]

I have a catamaran, Catana 44. Recently I heard odd creaking noise coming from the forward port hull (we were on starboard tack.) The interior of the hull was moving inward as if the force of the water were pushing it in. It looked as if it were breathing. The movement was strong enough to push the floorboards up on each downward push of the boat.
I am new to sailing and to this boat, is this normal? Should I be alarmed? Is this what is called hull flexing?
Thanks

[Jeff_H]

That sounds like an awful lot of flexure, especially in a cored hull, especially in the highly curved areas near the bow of a catamarran. While it is hard to say without seeing the boat in person, what you describe sounds like delamination has occurred. You probably should get a surveyor to take a close look at that area.

Regards
Jeff

[Silmaril]

A bit of flex is sometimes expected, but yours sounds extreme. Does it also happen on port tack to the starboard hull? Also how old is the boat. Did you have a survey completed if you just purchased it? If so, did the surveyor note any previous hull damage and or repair to the hull?

If you have a cored hull section in that area I would suspect a delamination, and in that case, proceed to your nearest surveyor/navel architect for a concidered opinion. You may also want to visit your nearest pub, as you will need to settle your nerves a bit, because proper repair of a severe hull delamination is riotessly expensive, if not down right impossible.