What's The Buzz?

[fred miller]

This is making me crazey!My boat went back in the water this weekend after a long winter lay up. I had the yard replace the windspeed instrument cups [that whirleygig thing] at the mast head this year because a bird apparently lighted on it an broke off a cup. No big deal right . .There are no sails on the boat yet, although all the running rigging has been put on. Well, there is a loud buzz antennuating down the mast which I hear in the cabin . . it sounds like an airplane propellor revving up. The stronger the wind the louder the whirring noise.Put your ear to the mast and it sounds like its going to take off. At first I thouight it was the new windspeed cup turning and maybe a lack of lubrication. But that really can't be it because the windspeed generator device is mounted on a arm extending perpendicular to the mast and really does not come in contact with the mast only at the arm base where it is screwed into a "starboard" shim . . .and the thing never was nevber a problem before. . .absolutely quiet.  What can that loud hum be? Could my running rigging lines be making the noise?HelpFred MillerH-35.5

 

[Larry Long]

I got a buzz

from my topping lift. Got a boomkicker and stopped the buzz.

 

[Don Alexander]

For Ten Years I Chased a Buzz.

Then one day a chum came aboard and without saying a word, just went into the cockpit and slackened off the mainsheet. The buzz stopped. It was the topping lift under tension.

 

[Dean Strong]

How to eliminate hum while at port...

While at port, move the traveler to one side as far as it will go. Ease the main sheet and center the boom. Tie a line from the end of the boom to the opposite rail or stern railing. This will keep the boom centered (or slightly off to one side, if you like it out of the way). This will take the tension off the topping lift placed on it by downward force of a tight mainsheet. No hum (or reving airplane props).