Slapping Halyards

[AquatiCat]

I agree that many people who can afford boats and who enjoy sailing know very little about life aboard. They probably don't even know the standard methods for quieting a slapping halyard... yes, doing it for them is OK. Mentioning how to do it if you ever see them is OK, assuming they are a listening type. I'd avoid leaving a note until the second time... that way, you've given them the benefit of the doubt that they are people of good will who simply were not thinking about this possibility. There have been marinas we've visited where the masts sounded like a temple full of gongs once the wind kicked up a bit! And then there are the in-mast furling slots that moan... I've heard they make an aftermarket slot blocker one can haul up for that problem :-)

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by WillJacocks

Most marinas have rules against allowing halyards to be slapping against the mast, for that very reason. check into the marina rules and have the harbor master take them to task.

hell the slips have MORE boats with this "problem" than out in the mooring field

[ViribusUnitis]

I was going to say I've NEVER been in the Corpus Christi Municiple Marina when it didn't sound like the revence of the children with pots.

Of course, it's ALWAYS windy, and I'm only there to look at the boats on the weekends, but they're never quiet.

[knottygurl]

just go to the dollar store and get 2 bungies
do yourself and this mast slapper a favor and do it right.
leave a note that says appreciate you keeping the halyards tight, I started you with a free set of bungies.
signed
a friendly liveabord

PS; next time zippy straps

[Philsboat]

I tie a dirty piece of line (for repeat offenders)to the noisy halyard as high as I can reach and use lots of knots!

Oooh!Tie wraps!I hadn't thought of that..........

[thinwater]

Yeah, I've done it too. Often they simply don't know and will figure it out when they see it fixed. Sometimes it also helps to mention that the halyard is chafing (which it often is).

[Underdog]

Lots of talk here about tightening halyards. I am on a marina and the problem of this noise is continuous. I often climb on board the absentee sailors toy and fix it - usually by loosening the halyards - almost always stops the slap.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Why be dickheads about it? Just wrap the halyards around the spreader, tie them off and leave a note explaining (1) how to do it and (2) why they should. Most people aren't even aware of the nuisance.

Good man... and good idea for the first (or occasional) offense.

Originally Posted by Philsboat

I tie a dirty piece of line (for repeat offenders)to the noisy halyard as high as I can reach and use lots of knots!

Oooh!Tie wraps!I hadn't thought of that..........

yes, sadly there are some that will not 'get it'... my preference is to be far enough away from other boats that it does not matter.... but tough to do in a marina or mooring field.

[zeehag]

problem is, in an anchorage, there is NOT enough room to be far away from the disrespectful individual.......is too bad some folks do not have respect for either their own boat, as this does damage to their boat s well as to neighbors sleeping capability. fouling the lines reound the spreadrs is a workable solution-- they should a done this before leaving their boats.

[David M]

I have asked my neighbor in a very friendly way. He got the idea and agrees. There was no need to do anything. A lot of people just don't come down to their boat when it is blowing and simply don't know any better.

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Why be dickheads about it? Just wrap the halyards around the spreader, tie them off and leave a note explaining (1) how to do it and (2) why they should. Most people aren't even aware of the nuisance.

There is a mature response.

I don't own a boat but had always noticed the custom was to hook the halyard to one of the lifelines at the marina where my club is located. I hadn't understood why not leave it attached to the sail until I read this exchange.

[Adelie]

First time: note and cheap tie down line they give you at Home Depot to tie down your load
Second time: zip ties
Third time: many layers of ducttape over zip ties.

This assumes I get the courage to go on someone elses boat when they're not around.

[Noname]

I donated a few well worn bungee cords to a close, seldom seen neighbor. Several months later the bungees were still in the same place that I put them, although his bimini had a lot more shredding than it did previously. I guess some folks forget that they have a boat in the marina????

[countrybimm]

i cant sleep without that noise...i spend my winter four months on the water and thats wind chimes in my ears...now if a neighbor came over and politely asked i have no problem tieing off the stays..if your rude however, we'll be the ones firing bottle rockets over your boat at 1am crankin the metal tunes...politeness goes the distance.

[sailorboy1]

So the owner of the boat that makes the most noise came to his boat yesterday for a change (to prep for the hurricane). So I asked hm if he would secure is lines so they don't slap, which he said he would.

Afterwards his boat is still making as much noise een with the halyard secured. he rows over a says it is the mast electrical wiring and tells me a story of haqving lived on his boat for years with the noise. Gues if you get tired enough you sleep though anything because I heard this down below on my boat.

But the thing that I wonder is why he isn't a little more concerned about electrical wires in the mast that have been slapping around!