I have loose wires/conduit inside my mast that make an awful noise at anchor. Does anyone know a way to stop this without stepping the mast? Your help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Thanks
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Ross
What manner of magic are you seeking
to stabilize wire in forty feet of aluminum extrusion that is not open at either end? Consider your request and the nature of the problem.
to stabilize wire in forty feet of aluminum extrusion that is not open at either end? Consider your request and the nature of the problem.
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BobM
Tough one
I think this is certainly a common problem and one that, as Ross indicates, lacks a good solution that doesn't involve dropping the mast. The only thing I have tried, given some limited access through a halyard exit point, is to tie wrap a number of wires together. This works if one is a particular offender and there are others present. The only other thing I can think of is to somehow increase tension in the wire(s) to reduce the noise.
I think this is certainly a common problem and one that, as Ross indicates, lacks a good solution that doesn't involve dropping the mast. The only thing I have tried, given some limited access through a halyard exit point, is to tie wrap a number of wires together. This works if one is a particular offender and there are others present. The only other thing I can think of is to somehow increase tension in the wire(s) to reduce the noise.
R
Ross
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Rich Stidger
IMHO your are SOL without dropping the mast
However if you drop the mast, a method that I can recommend is to pull out all the wires and fasten wire ties every two feet.
At each two-foot attachment point, attach three wire ties and leave the ends long. Configure the ends so that they are about 120 degrees to each other (4-8-12 o'clock). Hoist the wire bundle back into the mast and the noise will be gone. The wire ties will hold the wire bundle in the center of the mast and the spring of the wire tie ends will act as shock absorbers to keep the wires from hitting the inside of the mast.
Internal halyards will work just fine too.
It's also a great time to rewire any cables that are marginal.
However if you drop the mast, a method that I can recommend is to pull out all the wires and fasten wire ties every two feet.
At each two-foot attachment point, attach three wire ties and leave the ends long. Configure the ends so that they are about 120 degrees to each other (4-8-12 o'clock). Hoist the wire bundle back into the mast and the noise will be gone. The wire ties will hold the wire bundle in the center of the mast and the spring of the wire tie ends will act as shock absorbers to keep the wires from hitting the inside of the mast.
Internal halyards will work just fine too.
It's also a great time to rewire any cables that are marginal.
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Ross
I did just that when I wired my mast and have never heard the wire
slapping I also attached a piece of 1/4 inch rope to the wires and pulled the wires with that and secured that at the mast head. That way the rope carries the weight of the wire.
slapping I also attached a piece of 1/4 inch rope to the wires and pulled the wires with that and secured that at the mast head. That way the rope carries the weight of the wire.
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EvenKeel
Here's an idea
Here's something I was getting ready to try on a previous boat and never got around to it before selling it. This boat (and my newer one too) came with a fish line pre-installed to make wiring additions easier. It terminated at the top of the mast and at the bottom end of the compression post. You would use it to pull a new wire AND a new fish line through.
How about making a new line with a chunk of foam rubber fastened on about every 10 feet. The foam chunks would be just a bit larger than the channel so that they would compress slightly upon pulling them into the channel--the idea being that the foam would hold the wires against the side of the channel. If it didn't work, I'm not sure you would cause any real trouble by doing this.
Gary
Even Keel II
Here's something I was getting ready to try on a previous boat and never got around to it before selling it. This boat (and my newer one too) came with a fish line pre-installed to make wiring additions easier. It terminated at the top of the mast and at the bottom end of the compression post. You would use it to pull a new wire AND a new fish line through.
How about making a new line with a chunk of foam rubber fastened on about every 10 feet. The foam chunks would be just a bit larger than the channel so that they would compress slightly upon pulling them into the channel--the idea being that the foam would hold the wires against the side of the channel. If it didn't work, I'm not sure you would cause any real trouble by doing this.
Gary
Even Keel II
B
Boat 'n Bus
Foam
When I ran new wires down the mast, I first had to pull out a wad of foam stuffed down to the spreaders. I never had a problem with the noise before I removed wires/foam and it was only until the first overnight after NOT re-inserting the foam that I realized how critical it was! I'm gonna need to lower the mast again and insert some foam.
When I ran new wires down the mast, I first had to pull out a wad of foam stuffed down to the spreaders. I never had a problem with the noise before I removed wires/foam and it was only until the first overnight after NOT re-inserting the foam that I realized how critical it was! I'm gonna need to lower the mast again and insert some foam.
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