Buzzing sound like electricity??

[Bluebeardskid]

I recently bought my first boat and have been working and living on it. A dream come true. The question is I had the boat moved as the motor keeps overheating to a new anchorage. Once on the hook, I began hearing a sound like static or a slight buzzing sound inside. The boat is a 1968 that was a marina queen for the last 10 years. I checked the batteries and all the leads I can see, but I cant locate the origin of the sound. My solar panels are charging like before and I dont see any obvious problems. My biggest fear is that I cracked a spar and it is the fiberglass hull that is cracking up. I do have slow leaks around the toerail and cockpit lockers and after moving her I had a fair bit of water in the bilge. But I am not too surprised as I did toe the boat a fairway and it has rained over the past few days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Manateeman]

The following info will help a lot. Boat type, location, motor, photos.
The manatee crew.

[Bluebeardskid]

Manatee crew.
Boat type is a 34' Wayfarer Islander

Motor type is a Vetus 3.09

[Bluebeardskid]

Location is St Augustine, FL

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Bluebeardskid

I recently bought my first boat and have been working and living on it. A dream come true. The question is I had the boat moved as the motor keeps overheating to a new anchorage. Once on the hook, I began hearing a sound like static or a slight buzzing sound inside. The boat is a 1968 that was a marina queen for the last 10 years. I checked the batteries and all the leads I can see, but I cant locate the origin of the sound. My solar panels are charging like before and I dont see any obvious problems. My biggest fear is that I cracked a spar and it is the fiberglass hull that is cracking up. I do have slow leaks around the toerail and cockpit lockers and after moving her I had a fair bit of water in the bilge. But I am not too surprised as I did toe the boat a fairway and it has rained over the past few days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'll agree and think the buzzing is an electrical issue.

Does the buzzing continue after the sun goes down? If it does stop, then maybe it's your controllers.
If not try turning off circuits at you panel. If you don't have anything critical, turn off/disconnect the 12v source to the distribution panel. If that stopped the buzzing, then go individually thru each breaker/fuse and turn off to find the culprit.
If turning off the main 12V source didn't do it, what else is hooked up to the batteries and not hooked up to the distribution panel? Bilge pump?

If all this didn't fix the buzzing, it could be the rigging. Try to put your ear/stethoscope next to the chain plates and listen for a vibration.

[Matt Johnson]

Is it coming through the hull below the water? If so, it's shrimp eating things off the hull. Very common- I tore apart the boat the first time I heard it looking for a running pump. Their munching is mechanical and electrical sounding.

Matt

[Cheechako]

Hard to guess but is it the rigging humming in wind?
or the shrimp thing also but that is more "clicking"
Are you plugged in to shore power? It could be a battery charger.

[Kelkara]

My PWM solar charger makes a quiet buzzing sound ... does it go away at night?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bluebeardskid.

[glenn.225]

You mentioned the motor over heated. Could be from the cooling system if only after engine has run. I.e. Cooling water trapped due to clog somewhere and slowly escaping.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

Is it coming through the hull below the water? If so, it's shrimp eating things off the hull. Very common- I tore apart the boat the first time I heard it looking for a running pump. Their munching is mechanical and electrical sounding.

Matt

First time I heard that (in Charleston) I was up all night looking for an electrical issue

[SailtheWind]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

Is it coming through the hull below the water? If so, it's shrimp eating things off the hull. Very common- I tore apart the boat the first time I heard it looking for a running pump. Their munching is mechanical and electrical sounding.

Matt

I agree it's shrimps. I used to keep my boat at the Conch house in St Augustine. Heard that sounds for weeks on end

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

Is it coming through the hull below the water? If so, it's shrimp eating things off the hull. Very common- I tore apart the boat the first time I heard it looking for a running pump. Their munching is mechanical and electrical sounding.

Matt

Yes, that is the answer, since it only happened when he moved from marina to the anchorage. Those critters will drive you nuts!

[Nord Sal]

It's not clear from your description, but it sounds like your engine overheats whenever you run it.

I didn't see if you said the buzzing starts immediately when the engine runs or takes some time. Perhaps the buzzing is your high temperature alarm? I've seen them make buzzing sounds when the alarm unit was dying.

[Tayana42]

+1 it’s Shrimp.