Unwanted vs. wanted noise
AS far as keeping the halyards from slapping, I lash both ends of the halyard to the starboard gunwhale (either to a stantion or a deck fitting. I do this for two reasons, one to silence the slapping lines, and two, as a ABD or anti-bird device for those $#%@& commerants that like to take up residency on my spreaders. The haylard left a tad slack, blocks the flight path of those oily buggers from landing on my spreaders. Prior to the recent population expolsion in Centerport of these "birds", I simply tied the halyards tight and slightly away from the mast to avoid slapping. I dunno, perhaps the slapping distracts the commerants. You can tell I have a real pet-peave about these "birds". I personally don't mind the occasional sing-song of halyards tapping against aluminum masts. I guess it's a sound that I grew used to over time. I know of many other boaters (power) that despise the sound, and wish us "sailors" would tie our halyards tight. Can't please everyone I reckon, except those miserable commerants!
