I recently purchased a 2001 43 Open and have chased down a number of typical/minor demons that have been causing me headaches. There is one problem however that I can't seem to figure out. The stairs make an annoying creaking sound when traversed and also while rolling around at sea. I'm assuming that the staircase mounting has somehow come loose over the years and would like to gain access so that I can fix. Unfortunately I can't seem to find any easy or direct way to access the stairs from the ER. So before tearing out insulation and/or taking down the 12V main distribution panel (that seems to be mounted on the backside of the stairs) I thought I would ask if anyone has any direct knowledge of how this piece of the puzzle was put together.
The stair treads open correct? You should be able to access the stair case fasteners through the treads. I would completely remove the stair case, inspect everything and see if you can determine where the contact is happening then reinstall. If you don't want to go through the hassle of removing and reinstalling, simply tightening all of the fasteners may solve your issue, or at least quiet it down.
Thanks for the reply Chris. I've done a lot of work on boats but this one has me a little stumped.
No the stair treads are closed. It looks like the staircase is molded FRP with Teak steps/runners mounted (presumably from the inside) to the molded stairs. Unfortunately I don't see any way to get at the fasteners given the tight confines of the ER. Having the generator in the way doesn't help much either. I'm wondering if I remove the 12V electrical distribution panel (above the generator) that I will gain access to the inside of the molded stair case? That may give me direct access to the fasteners or let me remove one of the runners, giving me access from up in the cabin?
I swear the teak treads open. Perhaps not all of them, but some of them. I looked at an old photo of the 43 Open just to refresh my memory of the layout. I seem to remember the teak treads are just dropped into the fiberglass and should just pull straight up with gentle persuasion. The top step tread however may be hard mounted. It may also be the case they are hinged, but you would see the thin edge of the hinge along the backside of the steps treads.
I can't image the only access is through the engine room bulkhead electrical panel. Is that panel hinged?
No the panel is not hinged. And I'm pretty sure neither are the steps because I looked into that when I bought the boat. In fact I was looking at earlier models of the 43 and 41 before I bought this one, and do remember some of them had hinged steps for storage/access. As for "persuading" the steps, that is certainly something I haven't tried and will do either later today or tomorrow. Do they just drop in or will I be battling some kind of adhesive?
I just spoke with our Tiara Service Manager from back in the day when we were selling new Tiara 43 Opens. He also remembers that the step treads drop in. We do think the top step may be fixed in place, but the other steps should pull straight up. There should not be any adhesive, but if someone varnished the steps, they could have been inadvertently been glued down by the varnish. They may also just be tight from the wood swelling overtime. I would be very gentle so as not to mar the wood or chip the gelcoat. They should just pull straight up. Take a good look and let me know.
Thanks again for all of the replies and I do remember seeing the hinged stops on a 41 as well. For the life of me I cannot get any of the stair treads to open up. I used a putty knife to get under the teak step and work around as much as I could but no luck. It sure feels like there is some type of hard mounting. I am going to try one more time and they work on an alternative solution. I think maybe shimming the stairs against the two cabin sides may help a little. Not sure any other alternative.
FYI - The older 4300 Open does not share a hull with the 4100 Open.
4300 - Open and Convertible share the same hull
4100 Open and 4200 Open share the same hull bottom (although the 4200 Open is stretched 8 to 10" longer) (Completely different Cap, Deck and Windshield)
3200 Open, 3500 Open and 3600 Open all share the same hull bottom in different lengths.
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