Moaning Propeller

[Porthandbuoy]

Something I never noticed or experienced last season. Sailing along at a nice and steady 6 kts or so and I put the gearbox into astern to stop the grumbling noise of the prop rotating (which is okay with my particular gearbox, I've checked). Prop stopped and I can hear a constant whine or moaning noise. Really weird and very hard to pin down as to where it was coming from. Eventually concluded it was the prop 'singing'.
Never noticed it last year and the only difference is I removed all the paint from the prop. Maybe that's why the previous owner painted it with what appeared to be some sort of 2-part epoxy paint.

Anyone experienced something similar? Other than spending £thousands on a folding or feathering prop, is there anything that can cure it?

 

[38mess]

I was told a long time ago that sanding the edges of the blades to take the sharp edges off can sometimes work

 

[Tranona]

It is probably turbulence around the edges of the blade, but not the conventional "singing prop" as that occurs when the prop is driving, not when locked. google "singing propellers" for loads of info on the subject.
Sensible idea anyway to buy a Featherstream. Probably one of the best investments you can make, particularly on a boat like yours with such a large propeller stuck behind a long keel. something like this