One of the things we liked about TD was the lack of noise. When we were on the test sail the admiral went below and sat down. A couple of minutes later she called me below and said "listen". I told her I don't hear anything. Right she answered. To this day we've only had one creak from when the forward head door frame came loose from the sole, screws and glue stopped it.

That Gulfstar is heavy (40,000) but not excessive for her 50' length. The quietness comes from a strong build and a cored hull. There is 1.5" of end grain balsa from below the waterline to the caprail. It makes for a very quiet hull. Balsa has always concerned me a bit but we've never had a problem.

Love the quietness. Especially noticeable beating into a confused sea. When a cresting wave hit's the hull it makes a bam! sound but a solid heavy sound. Not one that shutters the entire boat. There is a bit of rushing water sound when you're in the V-birth at 7 knots but it's a peaceful comforting water sound.

I've been on boats that scared me with all the creaking, groaning and water sound.