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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Blow your own horn......

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/06/2013 : 05:03:00

Just like the title says, Blow your own horn.....

Tell me what you use for a signal horn. It's time to replace my crappy little sports-can horn and wondered if anyone had a better idea.

I did a search, and all I found was this thread by Don Lucier from 2004:
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true& TOPIC_ID=6004& SearchTerms=horn

Anyone mount a 12v horn?

Davy J

2005 Gemini 105Mc
PO 1987 C25 #5509 SR/SK
Tampa Bay

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 05:39:45

I still use an air can horn... and like a good boater, keep it on deck while sailing/motoring... inevitably I squash it, or lean on it, and it goes off scaring the bejesus out of me. But it's a family tradition.... in the good ole days we had the CFC handheld horns.

I can very much remember my father sitting on the canned horn once (well one of many times), except this one particular time he must have crushed the can as well... Can burst in one big release with a loud HONK, froze the seat cushion and I actually think he frosted a bit of his keester.... AH GOOD TIMES... Can't break with tradition like that.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 06:19:10

We keep a whistle by the companionway - KISS

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 07:23:33

I have one that you pump up with a bicycle pump or one of those handheld pumps for for soccer balls.

Edited by - John Russell on 08/06/2013 07:24:09

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 07:51:37

I can't imagine a better device for this purpose than a compressed gas horn. It's about as loud as it gets, which is what you want in a true emergency. The most likely scenario is a powerboat that's on autopilot and bearing down on you too fast to get out of its way, and in that case you need something loud enough to cut through his engine.

You also need it immediately available (no time to go pull it out if you have an emergency), which is why we always have it on our binnacle organizer. You can see it in every picture we have:

<center>

</center>

FYI, our inflatable PFDs also came with whistles built into them. I did not realize that until AFTER I bought whistles at Defender. You might want to check your PFDs and see if they have them.

Edited by - TakeFive on 08/06/2013 07:54:33

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 08:51:09

I keep a whistle hanging on a peg inside on the aft bulkhead, and an air-can horn, one of the little ones, in a drink holder in the cabin. With our lake sailing, there is very rarely a need for either one.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 10:17:47

Of course.. this is what we use around here...

[url="http://www.fiamm.com/Horns-DIXIE-LAND---DUKES-OF-HAZZARD-Zone-13-typeLBU84L239A48-Prod-133-561"]Dixie Horn[/url]

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 11:58:45

I have owned lots of FIAMM horns going back to the 60's when we had to oil the compressor. Excellent choice but I go with the more traditional 2 note. My Alfa could make pedestrians soil themselves if they walked in front of my car.

Bull horns are nice too, they have EMS signals built in now. Whoop Whoop

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2013 : 17:57:59

I use one of these and it seems to be as loud as the air can horns. http://www.basspro.com/Ecoblast-Sport-Signal-Horn/product/120829053258271/

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 03:54:24

<< FIAMM >>

I'm a big fan of fiamm 2 tones ever since my Fiat car from the 70's. Been waiting to see some Fiats show up at the "pull a part" junk yards to get a cheep horn off of one.

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 05:49:59

For the record, I keep the horn on deck, and a whistle on the bulkhead (actually 2)... Flares and such are also down below next to the first aide kit.
And THIS is the one I keep accidentally leaning on...
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1&id=107296

Freaking SCARY loud. and YES it cuts through even the most obnoxious power-boater's engine... I've been able to make my point a FEW times (intentionally) with it.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 07:53:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I use one of these and it seems to be as loud as the air can horns. http://www.basspro.com/Ecoblast-Sport-Signal-Horn/product/120829053258271/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is what I carry on my boat, but now I want TRUMPETS.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 13:38:21

SeaSense® Safety Blaster Horn

•120 decibels
•Audible for over a mile
•Environmentally friendly

With one light blow, the mouth-operated Safety Blaster Horn screams 120-decibels of sound that's audible for over 1 mile. Environmentally friendly and will never rust. Great for sporting events, boating, PWC and safety. Meets USCG regulations. No batterys, Canisters, etc. just needs lips.
@$10 Keep it in the coaming box. Highly recomended if that means anything.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 14:25:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I use one of these and it seems to be as loud as the air can horns. http://www.basspro.com/Ecoblast-Sport-Signal-Horn/product/120829053258271/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is what I carry on my boat, but now I want TRUMPETS.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I have been known to play my trumpet while my boat is on autopilot or anchored. But I never thought to use that as my marine horn.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 16:02:36

The replies to the question have turned out somewhat like I thought they would. Most are using some type of handheld or manual device.

I am a little spoiled, in that my powerboat has a switch at the helm, and with a press, I have thunder.....

I also would like to get the noisy part away from my ears.... already got tinnitus....

Does a C445, or other large sailboats, come with a handheld horn??

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 16:23:45

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 18:20:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I use one of these and it seems to be as loud as the air can horns. http://www.basspro.com/Ecoblast-Sport-Signal-Horn/product/120829053258271/
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That is what I carry on my boat, but now I want TRUMPETS.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
These might work for your needs [url="If you find you're having trouble getting the message across you might want to try one or two of these!
[url="http://www.hornblasters.com/"]Horns[/url]

Edited by - GaryB on 08/07/2013 18:23:14

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2013 : 02:54:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 The replies to the question have turned out somewhat like I thought they would. Most are using some type of handheld or manual device.

I am a little spoiled, in that my powerboat has a switch at the helm, and with a press, I have thunder.....

I also would like to get the noisy part away from my ears.... already got tinnitus....

Does a C445, or other large sailboats, come with a handheld horn??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave....I don't ever remember seeing a horn mounted on a sailboat. Depend on where you mount it, I see lines catching on it, something you don't worry about on a powerboat.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2013 : 06:12:40

OK, here's a different question that's close enough to this topic to post on the same thread:

My Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF/DSC/AIS radio has a loud hailer capability that includes some nice features like an automatic fog horn. I've never bought a speaker for it, so I've left the wires disconnected. Where might I put a speaker? Under a spreader, maybe?

(Now that I think of it, I might have started a thread on this last winter, but I never followed up.)

Like others have said, electric horns and speakers just scream "powerboat", and are more likely to foul lines and sails on our boats.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2013 : 06:18:12

I had an electric horn on my Sea Ray: It was flush mounted on the bow. We had two failures, and water could set on the speaker cone, so was less effective. There were times I couldn't hear it, let alone another boat. Seems like a less reliable solution. We have the canned air horn, I like the self pumping, but the seasense safety blaster horn Scott posted about looks like a great solution.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/08/2013 : 12:47:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by TakeFive
 OK, here's a different question that's close enough to this topic to post on the same thread:

My Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF/DSC/AIS radio has a loud hailer capability that includes some nice features like an automatic fog horn. I've never bought a speaker for it, so I've left the wires disconnected. Where might I put a speaker? Under a spreader, maybe?

(Now that I think of it, I might have started a thread on this last winter, but I never followed up.)

Like others have said, electric horns and speakers just scream "powerboat", and are more likely to foul lines and sails on our boats.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I've had this same thought, I even bought a loudspeaker, but couldn't find a suitable place to install it, so I've never bothered.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2013 : 11:26:34

Go big or go home...

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rmBwCR1HVg"]Homemade Air Horn[/url]

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2013 : 13:25:46

Bet the neighbors just love that guy.

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2013 : 14:34:01

Aim it at your sail and it will give you a boost!

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 08/09/2013 : 18:05:22

I want the horn from a 1975 El Dorado Caddy. Three tones, sounds classy!

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