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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

noise from inside mast

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KYD516
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/01/2005 : 12:11:03

there is something rattling around inside my mast. I am not sure what it is. It definitely sounds like metal on metal slapping around. Even when I tie off my halyards(external, too) I still hear it and it is very, very annoying when you try to sleep.

Is there a conduit inside the mast that contains the wires for the antenna and lights? Could that have come loose?

How can I remedy this problem without unstepping the mast? thanks

Aquila, rhymes w/ Tequila

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2005 : 13:05:33

Hi Keith,

My first guess is that it is a compression tube from the spreader brackets. Do you know if the old spreader brackets were upgraded to the stainless steel brackets? If so, it's possible that one of the compression tubes got loose during the installation, and the PO never retrieved it.

I can't think of any way to get rid of the noise (no matter what the cause) without taking the mast down ... 'sorry

I'm sure others will have some ideas for you ... good luck with the fix!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2005 : 13:12:18

How about electrical wiring slapping back and forth inside the mast, similar to wire halyards slapping against the outside?

I installed PCV conduit in mine.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

KYD516
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2005 : 13:12:26

Hey Buzz, thanks for your input. The spreader brackets have been upgraded to SS. Pardon my ignorance, but I am unfamilar with what a compression tube is. Could you please explain/describe? thanks

Edited by - on

KYD516
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2005 : 13:25:32

Leon, thanks for your response. I thought it might be the wire(s), but I still hear the clanging even when I pull them tight. Also, the sound is definitely more of a metal on metal clanging, as opposed to the vinyl coating on metal one might here with the vinyl coated wire(s). thanks

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2005 : 14:03:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KYD516
 Hey Buzz, thanks for your input. The spreader brackets have been upgraded to SS. Pardon my ignorance, but I am unfamilar with what a compression tube is. Could you please explain/describe? thanks<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Keith,

Here is a photo of the stainless steel bracket upgrade kit from Catalina Direct. In the center of the photo you can see two aluminum tubes (one large diameter, one smaller) ... those are the compression tubes. The bolts securing the spreader brackets go through them ... their purpose is to keep the mast from oil-canning inward when you tighten the bolts that secure the spreader brackets to the mast:

Edited by - on

Loren H.
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2005 : 02:25:30

I too have the inner clanging described. I've always wondered what it was but have really never bothered to look during the off season. I guess I've just added it to the "voice" of Epiphany.

If it is the compression tubes, what exactly are they connected to? My sound is similar to what's described but it sounds like it is whipping back and forth inside the mast. I've always imagined it to be an old halyard (couldn't be, never has been set up as internal) or maybe the wiring harness. I still think it's probably the wiring. After all of these years, the casing has probably become very stiff and almost sounds as if it was metal banging around in there.

I've designated next offseason as the year of the mast. Until then, I'll live with it like I have for the past 5 seasons.

BTW-I too have the spreader bracket upgrade.

Edited by - Loren H. on 06/03/2005 02:26:29

tcox
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2005 : 11:42:40

My boat was on the trailer with the mast up when I bought it, so I didn't notice any internal noise. However, when I let the mast down for some maintenance a couple of short tubes came out of the bottom. Compression tubes! I guess the PO either didn't bother to remove them when he did the SS upgrade, or he forgot until it was too late and the mast was up again. I am surprised they made it to the bottom with two internal halyards, wiring, and a coax to clear. I can surely imagine they would have made some noise with the boat rocking in the water.

Edited by - on

KYD516
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2005 : 15:09:26

Loren, yes..back and forth clanging..that's what i get..and it sounds like there is some vertical-ness to it, so i don't think it's the compression tubes. When I picked up the boat from the marina, I noticed P/O did not have a topping lift. I noticed that the jib halyard(not being used due to r/f) had been turned around(wire-end aft), so I use that as a topping lift. I am suspicious as to whether the actual topping lift is actually inside the mast and creating the noise. Do you have a designated topping lift?

Here's how I plan to remedy without unstepping the mast.

I recently had to tap holes into the mast to install gates to keep sail-slides from falling out. I want to spray that expanding foam/insulation stuff through one of screw holes in an attempt to foam-in whatever's making the noise. Any thoughts?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2005 : 20:02:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KYD516
 Here's how I plan to remedy without unstepping the mast.

I recently had to tap holes into the mast to install gates to keep sail-slides from falling out. I want to spray that expanding foam/insulation stuff through one of screw holes in an attempt to foam-in whatever's making the noise. Any thoughts?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't know if I'd use the spray foam inside the mast because this may cause problems if you were to ever rewire the mast or go with internal halyards.

Edited by - on

John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2005 : 10:27:26

I agree with Don, I recently had to replace a missing compression tube and the foam would have made it a nightmare, speaking of which, compresion tubes fit very snuggly in the mast. I doubt they would make the noise.

Edited by - on

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