Furling mast-winter without sail and noise in mas

[paminareunion]

Hello!
Question to you out there. During winter stay in harbour without sail in the furling mast mast on my S.O 34.2, the nast mast creates a banging noise due to the sail is not inside. What can I do to prevent this. Can the mast get any damage to the furling or the mast itself of this?
I have lifted the halyard half way up the mast. That helped a bit, but not enough to get rid of the banging.
Looking fwd for some good advice.

Brgds

Terje

[freedomsong]

Hello:
We are having new sails made and when the North Sails rep took off the Main we had the same problem. He showed us how to tie a much smaller line to the halyard and then hoist way up almost to the top. About 3 feet down from the top. This small rope does not bang around nearly as much as the larger halyard line. Almost no noise.

Hope that helps,
Rich Rogers
s/v FreedomSong, SO 45.1
Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA, USA