If it's a soft 'bump', it's probably the haylards. I've found that pulling them tight helps with that. If it's a sharper sound, like a click, then probably a wire. Don't know what vintage boat you have, but mine has a plastic tube inside the mast that all wires run through. That prevents both noise and abrasion. If a wire was run outside of the chase (tube), then it could indeed get noisy; my first boat (Watkins 27) had lose wires inside the mast and they would bang around a bit.

I had this problem when some rivets holding the pvc pipe inside the mast failed and it would bang around in a rolly anchorage... i fixed it by taking off the bolt that holds the small underdeck turnbuckle to the mast..then putting a straw taped to the nozzle of a tube of 5200,put the straw thru the bolt hole and squirting it around the pvc tube on the far side of the mast..it worked and locked down the pvc tube..

Mike,

I must admit that I have bad news: there IS no EASY solution.

You have eliminated the halyards. I think you're right, because most of us have learned to tie our halyard off the mast well outside the mast and keep them tensioned.

The ONLY thing left are wires.

When we bought our boat in 1998, there was a horrible "mast slap" when we were down below. Our PO had done everything right as far as we were concerned, and he'd owned the boat since new in '86.

We anchor out a LOT and lived with it ONLY because we planned to redo the standing rigging in a few years. I hated it. The Admiral hated it. We ALL HATED it. It su*ks. I hear ya!:):):)

Once we pulled the stick, we found that the OEM installation managed to be so "stupid" that they'd run one of the many OEM wires OUTSIDE the conduit that's inside the mast. You know, the one that's MADE to run wires inside it!

Once repaired, the noises disappeared.

I can find no way, other than pulling the mast, to know for sure what's going on inside.

Sorry for the reality check.

Good luck.

PS - You might try to find some noise deadening wrapping material around the mast down below in the interim period. I figure you have a keel stepped mast.

Yes you can see whats going on inside the mast...remove the two bolts that hold the small below deck turnbuckle onto the mast ..Put a penlight or better yet,one of those small led lights at the end of a flexible wire on the top hole while peering thru the lower hole..Do this at anchor or when the boat rolls and you will see whats moving..I have done this..the banging will drive you nuts if you dont!

Greg
I take it the bolts are threaded into the mast.

Yes Bill,the 2 bolts are threaded into the mast ..they fasten the eye for the mast t-buckle

Thanks Good winter project

I recently had the standing rigging replaced (last month) and now have this very annoying twanging and banging coming from inside the mast. I'm not sure if it's a result of the work or when I was out at anchor a week or so ago and it was exceptionally rolly. I think the latter.

When I put my ear to the mast I can hear the wires tinkling against the mast. I think something has broken loose. It sounds as if there are some wires swinging in the mast.

Unfortunately, in this case, the PO built a box around the mast in the cabin to house an a/c tube to blow air into the vee berth. It's going to be a bit of a job as it's screwed and glued.

Thanks for the information on this topic. I had logged on to ask the same question myself -and there it was! :)

I didn't know about the inspection spot so I guess I'll pull the box apart first. I really don't want to have to pull the mast out.