I come from sailing a Cheoy Lee with wooden mast for 25 years. I long for the quiet at anchorage. I have a Hunter 25 with aluminum mast which should only have one set of wires to a masthead light. I am thinking of using foam insulation near the boom inserted into holes to quiet this thing. Anyone done this with any good results? Thanks.
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Take the pressure off the topping lift
The mast shouldn't make any noise. Try taking the pressure off the topping lift by moving the traveler far to port, and placing the boom midway between center and as far as it will go to starboard, tying it off to the starborad rail. Place the boom at the height you want it, then tighten down the main sheet, but only enough to keep the boom stable. This will relieve the tension between the topping lift and the mainsheet, which will vibrate in 5+ knots of wind, and transfer all kinds of noise to the entire hull...
The mast shouldn't make any noise. Try taking the pressure off the topping lift by moving the traveler far to port, and placing the boom midway between center and as far as it will go to starboard, tying it off to the starborad rail. Place the boom at the height you want it, then tighten down the main sheet, but only enough to keep the boom stable. This will relieve the tension between the topping lift and the mainsheet, which will vibrate in 5+ knots of wind, and transfer all kinds of noise to the entire hull...
Zip ties
In most cases this will solve the problem of electrical and radio wires slapping inside ethe mast. On my 260 I simply attached a draw string (strong) to the mast head light wires and pulled the wire out of the mast. I then attached, every 18 inches or so, three zip ties to form the shape of a triangle and then pulled the wire back up the mast. No noise now. Worked perfectly.
In most cases this will solve the problem of electrical and radio wires slapping inside ethe mast. On my 260 I simply attached a draw string (strong) to the mast head light wires and pulled the wire out of the mast. I then attached, every 18 inches or so, three zip ties to form the shape of a triangle and then pulled the wire back up the mast. No noise now. Worked perfectly.
Sprinkler pipe
When I pulled my mast for inspection and rewiring I needed to pull additional wires to the mast head and 2 antenna wires, the small plastic tube that the builder put in was too small so I bought a roll of 3/4 sprinkler pipe that when you on roll it and insert thru the mast it wants to curve and stay put on all sides and no noise. If you have internal haylards this system will not work and you could try tying the electric lines with strong string or small line at the top and bottom of the mast and securing them with plastic tywraps by drilling a couple of holes thru the mast. thats how I secured the plastic pipe.
When I pulled my mast for inspection and rewiring I needed to pull additional wires to the mast head and 2 antenna wires, the small plastic tube that the builder put in was too small so I bought a roll of 3/4 sprinkler pipe that when you on roll it and insert thru the mast it wants to curve and stay put on all sides and no noise. If you have internal haylards this system will not work and you could try tying the electric lines with strong string or small line at the top and bottom of the mast and securing them with plastic tywraps by drilling a couple of holes thru the mast. thats how I secured the plastic pipe.
How about
I have not had this problem, but have read of suggestions for it. Try lengths of foam pipe insulation. The stuff you buy in 6 or 8 foot lengths and slip over your water pipes for insulation in the winter. Run your wire inside, they're already slit, tape closed here and there and let it rattle all it wants in your mast. Foam doesn't make much noise and minimum friction wear. Good luck.
I have not had this problem, but have read of suggestions for it. Try lengths of foam pipe insulation. The stuff you buy in 6 or 8 foot lengths and slip over your water pipes for insulation in the winter. Run your wire inside, they're already slit, tape closed here and there and let it rattle all it wants in your mast. Foam doesn't make much noise and minimum friction wear. Good luck.
Using water insulation to quieten mast wires
I can relate to Steve's suggestion to use hot water foam insulation pipe. I have done this and it worked like a charm. Not a peep from our electrical lines in the past five years and it was cheap and easy to boot (once we lowered the mast). John
I can relate to Steve's suggestion to use hot water foam insulation pipe. I have done this and it worked like a charm. Not a peep from our electrical lines in the past five years and it was cheap and easy to boot (once we lowered the mast). John
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