This weekend I have taken out my Tiger for the first time with a little bit of wind and when the boat goes faster some whistling sound is audible. The frequency goes up with the speed of the boat. There is no noticeable vibration in the rudders, and the sound seems to come from the mast or shrouds/diamonds. Is this common on Tigers or do I have a problem? Any ideas how to fix?

Has your boat got a high purchase downhaul with a thin line running up the side of the mast to a cheek block. If this line is very thin [3mm] it whistles like mad when you have a fair bit of downhaul.

The fun just begins when my Tiger starts whistling !
A few knots later and the beast starts foaming.

I have a 1:16 downhaul with two blocks at the sail, doubling the standard 1:8 system. The whistle was audible more downwind and on a reach (i.e. when the boat was fast), and downwind we used no downhaul, so I suppose it's not from the downhaul. There's this saying "Only a silent boat is a fast boat" that worries me, the sound I like a lot <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Once you've had it out a few more times it will stop whistling.

By then it will have learned the words.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Are you running the spinny d/w when the whistling happens? Is it dependant on which tack or gybe you're sailing?

I just put on a new type of line for my Tornado spin halyard...it's called Paraloc Pirhana line andi t runs thin (5/32") and seems a bit oval in cross section. I suspect that is due to being fresh off the spool. Anyway, first sail with it we heard a whistiling/humming sound changing pitch with wind stength...but only when spinny was up and on port tack. We think it was the retrieval side of the halyard running up the leeward side of the spinny. This is not loaded of course, so it's weird that it could hum or whistle. I guess it could also be from the section along the mast...since it is more to the starboard (leeward while sailing on port) side the mast and it's highly loaded.

Mike.

I saw the movie. "Whistling Tiger, Hidden Infusion."

Mike, it occurrs with and without spinnaker, when the boat starts to get really fast.

and it is not the daggers or rudders?

I can not exclude these, but the rudders did not vibrate. As it was in a race we did not make other experiments. Also, the sound really seemed to come from "upstairs".

Is your spin halyard somewhat taught while going upwind? This might account for it. Did the sound start happening recently or has it always happened?

Our Tiger does the same. The pitch seems to increase in steps as you go faster. Our rudders and boards don't vibrate and I can't tell from listening where the sound is coming from, but I'd bet good money it is coming from the foils (I haven't bothered fairing them in ages and they are a little battle scarred from interfacing with wildlife while distance racing).

I'd concentrate on the foils - I think there is an article on the AHPC site with relevant information?

Chris.

Singing foils are pretty common - sounds like that's your issue. You will not necessarily feel any vibration from this high frequency resonance. To be sure, try lifting the boards all the way or one at a time. Then the rudders by lifting one and see if the sound changes.

When I have new crew and they ask me what that high speed singing / whistling is, I tell them it's the fat lady warming up.

Ok, I'll check the foils next time. Flumpmaster, I have found the article on the AHPC page, thanx for the tip.

By the way, damned nice boat, the Tiger <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It was really an experience screaming downwind the three of us (boat and crew)