Well, there's no question that this sound resonates so eloquently with Catalina 22 swing keel owners. That hum confirms that our boat is in the "grove" so to speak. So, picture my surprise when I first heard Waffle House start to sing her song. Eureka! She's in the grove! But, how is she singing to me? Waffle House is a Wing Keel!
The first time it happened, we were booking along on a fairly stout breeze. We were sailing without a keel wire to "hum" but hum she did. While I was pleasantly surprised, I wondered what was resonating to produce the sound.
Yesterday's sail in very light air might have given me a clue. On a broad reach, as the wind picked up, every once in a while, WH started to hum. Nothing consistent, the air was fickle after all. Then when I turned back upwind to return to the slip I was alternating between beam and a close reach to claw my way back in the light air. Again thought I heard a hum but, I felt it more than heard it, and it was in my tiller. As I continued on course, I could feel and confirm by directional hearing that it was the rudder that was vibrating. I've upgraded my gudgeons to 1/2" and the newly installed RudderCraft rudder sports 1/2" pintles. The gudgeon retrofit was a simple swap as WH has the embedded brass plates installed on the stern. Yesterday was the first time I could physically feel the rudder vibration. Given the history of RudderCraft pintle failure rates which give me pause but, I love the rudder and its performance. What are your thoughts? Other Wing Keel owners, does your boat hum to you the same as a swing keel C-22? Or, the same as Waffle House?? Thank you in advance for your replies.
George
The first time it happened, we were booking along on a fairly stout breeze. We were sailing without a keel wire to "hum" but hum she did. While I was pleasantly surprised, I wondered what was resonating to produce the sound.
Yesterday's sail in very light air might have given me a clue. On a broad reach, as the wind picked up, every once in a while, WH started to hum. Nothing consistent, the air was fickle after all. Then when I turned back upwind to return to the slip I was alternating between beam and a close reach to claw my way back in the light air. Again thought I heard a hum but, I felt it more than heard it, and it was in my tiller. As I continued on course, I could feel and confirm by directional hearing that it was the rudder that was vibrating. I've upgraded my gudgeons to 1/2" and the newly installed RudderCraft rudder sports 1/2" pintles. The gudgeon retrofit was a simple swap as WH has the embedded brass plates installed on the stern. Yesterday was the first time I could physically feel the rudder vibration. Given the history of RudderCraft pintle failure rates which give me pause but, I love the rudder and its performance. What are your thoughts? Other Wing Keel owners, does your boat hum to you the same as a swing keel C-22? Or, the same as Waffle House?? Thank you in advance for your replies.
George
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