Noisy Halyards

[BrianH]

As others have written, it is unseamanlike and bad marina etiquette not to secure halyards. In a rising wind the cacophony of lines banging on metal masts is not soothing at all.

When I first secured a harbour berth administered by my yacht club I was given a lecture by the club secretary about this very point; that it was only courtesy to the townspeople to not inflict the sound of slapping halyards on them.

Now my home marina is in Italy and the principle has never occurred to the boatowners there, who are anyway very laid-back about noise of any kind. When I ask my neighbours if my wind generator disturbs them they look at me with incredulity - of course not, we find it interesting. But by the same token I am often jumping on and off boats in the middle of the night tying off halyards just to be able to sleep.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

I'm with BB, I tie ours back for the seamanship & noise reasons, but even then a wind change to the North can make them tap on something and bring you awake to check things ok- strange as I slept right thru' the 87 storm and those in January this year.

But others halliards, out on a mooring, plus the bird calls, at low water, ah, I'm 12 again and back on the Blackwater. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[chanelyacht]

Try living in Hamble! In the past few days, the wind's been so strong that the whole village has resonated to the high-pitch whine of wind through rigging...not that I'm complaining, it's a good weather forecasting method without even having to look out of the bedroom window!

 

[lenseman]

Nope, you are not alone, I also like the sound of seagulls too, except for their poo!

 

[baggypipes]

cant stand the noise & in my opinion it is only a BAD skipper who would leave thier boat like that surley when leaving a boat you go round & check all is secure. Also just think of the wear on the mast , halyards. let alone the lack of consideration to others, yes i have tied up a boats halyards after asking the skipper if he would please do it as it kept us awake, he ignored my request, so he got some 'duck tape' he soon learnt & appologised, we had a laugh about it & i helped him to untie it, so please do consider others if not yourself /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GazzaUK]

It's a lovely sound!

 

[pyrojames]

Should you add the slapping of water on the hull, the wind rustling the trees, the sound of small crests breaking, surf on the beach.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[BrianH]

[ QUOTE ]
Should you add the slapping of water on the hull, the wind rustling the trees, the sound of small crests breaking, surf on the beach.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Which can all be drowned out by the deafening clattering of synthetic ropes on metal masts in a strong wind, an artificial noise pollution that sounds awful, is impossible to sleep through and is a clear demonstration of a sloppy and inconsiderate skipper who probably neglects other aspects of proper seamanship.

No doubt the sort who leaves his ensign up day and night when not aboard until frayed into shreds. Sloppy and landlubberly.

 

[Capn Pugwash]

[ QUOTE ]
On the other hand, secure on a mooring, I find the sound of another's halyards frapping - at some distance - quite evocative. Also, if the frequency increases enough to wake me, that has always been a cue to get up, pull on the wellies, and go have a 'looksee' at the increasing wind, the security of the mooring lines, and anything else that's going on in the vicinity.

And grin conspiratorially at the other 3 or 4 skippers also peeing over the side in the drizzle of the half-dark.....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well Bilbo, what a marvellous picture you paint - I was transported from my office to back on board doing just what you describe. Ah........the weekend looms! Can't wait.