I have experienced a rather strange phenomenon on our new 460. When sitting at anchor or at a dock, there is a vibration which sets up in the rigging. It comes and goes, is not there in winds over about 6Kn. and seems to appear with quite low winds - 3-5 Kn. On occasion it has become quite loud and runs right through the mast suport in the cabin. It actually sounds like another boat uis passing by quite close to us but it happens even in locations when we are completely alone. I really want to know if any other owners of this boat or a similarly rigged boat have come across this and if so, have you found a solution. I am wondering if the rig is too tight or if there needs to be some kind of dampening between the mast and the mast support. This can be quite annoying in some circumstances. Thanks, R. Owen
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Humming noise
On my 1997 340 which is similarly rigged, there is a vibration that sounds like a diesel engine running, a humming droning sound. I found it was related to my topping lift which vibrated in a gentle wind (Vortex Shedding). It vibrated and sent the vibrations into the boat through the mainsheet into the arch. I don't know if this is the same thing you are experiencing. It was hard to tell where the noise was coming from and I kept looking out to see if a tugboat was going by while I was at anchor. We looked at the 460 at the Annapolis Boat Show last weekend. Pretty boat, it was our favorite. Good luck with yours.
On my 1997 340 which is similarly rigged, there is a vibration that sounds like a diesel engine running, a humming droning sound. I found it was related to my topping lift which vibrated in a gentle wind (Vortex Shedding). It vibrated and sent the vibrations into the boat through the mainsheet into the arch. I don't know if this is the same thing you are experiencing. It was hard to tell where the noise was coming from and I kept looking out to see if a tugboat was going by while I was at anchor. We looked at the 460 at the Annapolis Boat Show last weekend. Pretty boat, it was our favorite. Good luck with yours.
Hunter "orchestra"
My 1989 H30 does this also. I haven't yet found the source, but the humming is felt most strongly in the mast support column. I agree that it is probably vertex shedding in part of the rigging, and no doubt damping would cure it, if you knew what and where to put it. Too bad that the boat will be hauled in a few days for the long Canadian winter; I'll have to wait for next spring to check it out further. Have a look in the archives; I think other owners have reported this also.
My 1989 H30 does this also. I haven't yet found the source, but the humming is felt most strongly in the mast support column. I agree that it is probably vertex shedding in part of the rigging, and no doubt damping would cure it, if you knew what and where to put it. Too bad that the boat will be hauled in a few days for the long Canadian winter; I'll have to wait for next spring to check it out further. Have a look in the archives; I think other owners have reported this also.
Haven't heard that
Richard: I have not heard what you are describing on my 460. There is some rigging noise when the wind approaches 15 knots. Is your boat equiped with the full batten main or the furling main? If you do have the furling main, I wonder if the wind blowing by the opening in the mast for the sail may setup that harmonic noise?? Kind of like blowing over the top of a bottle. If I hear something new I will let you know. Mark Johnson
Richard: I have not heard what you are describing on my 460. There is some rigging noise when the wind approaches 15 knots. Is your boat equiped with the full batten main or the furling main? If you do have the furling main, I wonder if the wind blowing by the opening in the mast for the sail may setup that harmonic noise?? Kind of like blowing over the top of a bottle. If I hear something new I will let you know. Mark Johnson
the exorcist
yes, wayne's right! i was haunted by the same ghost (on a 410) which at first i thought was being caused by passing ships. when i discovered it to be coming from the topping lift, i installed a gas spring on my rigid vang (a seldon rod-kicker.) the spring, which cost $195, takes the pressure off the toping lift (indeed, makes it somewhat superfluous) and works better than most exorcisms. crazy, but i kept the topping lift, even though i no longer need it for anything except flying the protest flag, because the boat looks so silly without it. still not used to sailing withot a backstay, i guess.
yes, wayne's right! i was haunted by the same ghost (on a 410) which at first i thought was being caused by passing ships. when i discovered it to be coming from the topping lift, i installed a gas spring on my rigid vang (a seldon rod-kicker.) the spring, which cost $195, takes the pressure off the toping lift (indeed, makes it somewhat superfluous) and works better than most exorcisms. crazy, but i kept the topping lift, even though i no longer need it for anything except flying the protest flag, because the boat looks so silly without it. still not used to sailing withot a backstay, i guess.
Furling Main
Mark mentioned a furling main. This summer I was in a slip on the Mystic River (CT) and on the end of the dock was a Live-aboard Morgan OutIslander with furling main. We spent two nights and one of those nights the wind piped up and that thing sang all night. I can't imagine how the folks on board could stand it.
Mark mentioned a furling main. This summer I was in a slip on the Mystic River (CT) and on the end of the dock was a Live-aboard Morgan OutIslander with furling main. We spent two nights and one of those nights the wind piped up and that thing sang all night. I can't imagine how the folks on board could stand it.
Limited choice
If the only alternatives are ghosts or loose rigging, then it must be ghosts! The humming is definitely not caused by loose rigging. And, it's not a subtle noise that can be atributed to sailor's imaginiation. My H30G hums to beat the band in some wind conditions, at the dock. I don't have a furling main. The best guess I've seen so far is the post that suggested vortex shedding from the topping lift. I keep my topping lift very tight when at the dock, to control the boom. I think that once I tried changing the tension on the topping lift by adjusting the main sheet, and the pitch changed. Of course, that changed the tension on other rigging components, too, so its not proof. Wish I had a solid vang.
If the only alternatives are ghosts or loose rigging, then it must be ghosts! The humming is definitely not caused by loose rigging. And, it's not a subtle noise that can be atributed to sailor's imaginiation. My H30G hums to beat the band in some wind conditions, at the dock. I don't have a furling main. The best guess I've seen so far is the post that suggested vortex shedding from the topping lift. I keep my topping lift very tight when at the dock, to control the boom. I think that once I tried changing the tension on the topping lift by adjusting the main sheet, and the pitch changed. Of course, that changed the tension on other rigging components, too, so its not proof. Wish I had a solid vang.
Rigid Vang, but keep topping lift
It isn't a bad idea to keep the topping lift for a second way to get to the top of the mast should the mail halyard fail. Course, with a rigid vang, one can keep a loose topping lift which causes no ghostees. ps: have the same problem, loosing the topping lift or main sheet will ease it every time.
It isn't a bad idea to keep the topping lift for a second way to get to the top of the mast should the mail halyard fail. Course, with a rigid vang, one can keep a loose topping lift which causes no ghostees. ps: have the same problem, loosing the topping lift or main sheet will ease it every time.
Mark- its a full batten main
My boat has the full batten main. I have tried loosening the main sheet to no avail. Have not tried loosening the topping lift since I thought it would have the same effect as loosening the main sheet, but I will try that. Did you notice how tight your rig was? For example was there any slack in the leeward shrouds? I thought that my rig was pretty tight when I checked it and also believed that there should be no slack in the leeward shrouds. Thanks for the comments. I'll keep trying.
My boat has the full batten main. I have tried loosening the main sheet to no avail. Have not tried loosening the topping lift since I thought it would have the same effect as loosening the main sheet, but I will try that. Did you notice how tight your rig was? For example was there any slack in the leeward shrouds? I thought that my rig was pretty tight when I checked it and also believed that there should be no slack in the leeward shrouds. Thanks for the comments. I'll keep trying.
wind in the willpws
I had the same problem With a 90 H27 with a hood stow boom.How ever my wife fixed that problem ,she allowed me to get a V 32 ,what a difference no rigging no noise.no moaning anymore at least from the skipper. Good luck on your problem,hope your fix works as good as mine
I had the same problem With a 90 H27 with a hood stow boom.How ever my wife fixed that problem ,she allowed me to get a V 32 ,what a difference no rigging no noise.no moaning anymore at least from the skipper. Good luck on your problem,hope your fix works as good as mine
boom crutch
for those without rigid vangs, a boom crutch could also solve the problem. if you have a traveler arch, it would be a cinch to fabricate a styrofoam block to hold up the boom while in port, allowing the topping lift to be eased.
for those without rigid vangs, a boom crutch could also solve the problem. if you have a traveler arch, it would be a cinch to fabricate a styrofoam block to hold up the boom while in port, allowing the topping lift to be eased.
Topping Lift
It took me a while to find this noise, but it was the braided rope topping lift. A mild wind would set it vibrating like a guitar string and it was quite loud down below. The best solution I have come up with so far is to make sure it is slack. Making it tighter just changes the pitch!
It took me a while to find this noise, but it was the braided rope topping lift. A mild wind would set it vibrating like a guitar string and it was quite loud down below. The best solution I have come up with so far is to make sure it is slack. Making it tighter just changes the pitch!
Lazy Jacks
Lazy Jacks will also solve the problem eliminating the topping lift, or at least allowing the tension on it to be eased.
Lazy Jacks will also solve the problem eliminating the topping lift, or at least allowing the tension on it to be eased.
No topping lift to worry about
Our 410 came without a topping lift, apparently when lazyjacks are fitted a topping lift is not supplied. However this is not satisfactory, as without a rod kicker either there is nothing to stop the boom crashing into the arch and mainsheet blocks when in any sea. Also the topping lift provides a standby halyard and a way of depowering the sail during reefing. I shall have to have one fitted and get a rod kicker too I think.
Our 410 came without a topping lift, apparently when lazyjacks are fitted a topping lift is not supplied. However this is not satisfactory, as without a rod kicker either there is nothing to stop the boom crashing into the arch and mainsheet blocks when in any sea. Also the topping lift provides a standby halyard and a way of depowering the sail during reefing. I shall have to have one fitted and get a rod kicker too I think.
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