65% of responding Hunter owners say it's OK to use cockpit speakers in an anchorage, according to last week's Quick Quiz. 35% prefer to spend their evenings more quietly. What are your personal guidelines for using your outdoor speakers? Is it "Hey everybody, join our party!" or do you have limits for the times and volumes you use? Share your opinion -- loudly -- right here.
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Only for personal use
I think we should keep other people's pleasure in mind. Keep the noise down to personal use only. I absolutely HATE it when my privacy/solitude is invaded by another person's likes in entertainment.
I think we should keep other people's pleasure in mind. Keep the noise down to personal use only. I absolutely HATE it when my privacy/solitude is invaded by another person's likes in entertainment.
it's common courtesy...
Whether you are at your dock, on a mooring, sitting on a hook or underway, it is simply common courtesy to not force your neighbors to be subject to your choice of music (and the same goes for all on board entertainment or noise). If you can hear noise on deck, then your neighbors can hear it too, and whatever the source of that noise, it should be lowered! Having speakers mounted in the cockpit allows you to focus the sound inside your boat space and probably adds longevity to the life of the speakers in the boat, but the person making the sound adjustments needs to be considerate of everyone around that boat space, not just their own needs. And water is an amplifier of sound, so we all need to be a little more careful about the volume of noise we are subjecting our boating neighbors to as well as the time of day as not everyone keeps the same schedules we do. As a sailor I look forward the peace and serenity that sailing offers and appreciate the courtesy of other boaters, power and sail, and try to exercise the same courtesy. /c s/v Twilght, H410
Whether you are at your dock, on a mooring, sitting on a hook or underway, it is simply common courtesy to not force your neighbors to be subject to your choice of music (and the same goes for all on board entertainment or noise). If you can hear noise on deck, then your neighbors can hear it too, and whatever the source of that noise, it should be lowered! Having speakers mounted in the cockpit allows you to focus the sound inside your boat space and probably adds longevity to the life of the speakers in the boat, but the person making the sound adjustments needs to be considerate of everyone around that boat space, not just their own needs. And water is an amplifier of sound, so we all need to be a little more careful about the volume of noise we are subjecting our boating neighbors to as well as the time of day as not everyone keeps the same schedules we do. As a sailor I look forward the peace and serenity that sailing offers and appreciate the courtesy of other boaters, power and sail, and try to exercise the same courtesy. /c s/v Twilght, H410
Two problems
(1) Water, like apartment walls, does not transmit sound faithfully. Low frequencies travel great distances, while high frequencies propagate more idiosyncratically. That is why the same CD you enjoy in your apartment sounds bad and is annoying when heard from the overly-loud stereo next door. General rule: other people should not be able to hear your music. (2) People generally go to nature for nature's sake. When I am anchored, the only sounds I want to hear are the wind on the water, surfacing fish, and bird calls. Please, turn off the stereo, keep you halyards from slapping, and respect others in the anchorage. Headsets are a great invention.
(1) Water, like apartment walls, does not transmit sound faithfully. Low frequencies travel great distances, while high frequencies propagate more idiosyncratically. That is why the same CD you enjoy in your apartment sounds bad and is annoying when heard from the overly-loud stereo next door. General rule: other people should not be able to hear your music. (2) People generally go to nature for nature's sake. When I am anchored, the only sounds I want to hear are the wind on the water, surfacing fish, and bird calls. Please, turn off the stereo, keep you halyards from slapping, and respect others in the anchorage. Headsets are a great invention.
Just for the heck of it...
After reading through this thread, last night I had my boat in an anchorage...'twas the only boat there, so I couldn't disturb anyone. I have cockpit speakers... I threw a float in the water and paddled away from the boat with the stereo playing some of Jimmy Buffett's more enthusiastic numbers. In order to hear the stereo more than 5' away from my boat, I had to turn the d'd thing up so loud that nobody ON the boat would have been able to tolerate it. Since--except in a raftup--it's unlikely that anybody will anchor with in 10' of me, I'm not gonna worry about it. However...my speakers are mounted below gunwhale height, facing port and starboard...speakers mounted higher, facing aft, are likely to be an entirely different story. So I don't think the issue is whether to have cockpit speakers or not...it's where they're placed and aimed.
After reading through this thread, last night I had my boat in an anchorage...'twas the only boat there, so I couldn't disturb anyone. I have cockpit speakers... I threw a float in the water and paddled away from the boat with the stereo playing some of Jimmy Buffett's more enthusiastic numbers. In order to hear the stereo more than 5' away from my boat, I had to turn the d'd thing up so loud that nobody ON the boat would have been able to tolerate it. Since--except in a raftup--it's unlikely that anybody will anchor with in 10' of me, I'm not gonna worry about it. However...my speakers are mounted below gunwhale height, facing port and starboard...speakers mounted higher, facing aft, are likely to be an entirely different story. So I don't think the issue is whether to have cockpit speakers or not...it's where they're placed and aimed.
Bravo! Civitas
Your point on the halyards pertains the same way. How can people with noisy halyards even stand themselves? Same situation pertains - use common sense AND courtesy.
Your point on the halyards pertains the same way. How can people with noisy halyards even stand themselves? Same situation pertains - use common sense AND courtesy.
music
I've never had a problem with sailboats, they seem to be much more respectful, and if it's a Jimmy Buffett CD, so much the better. Now, powerboaters are another story. They assume that everybody likes AC/DC. And don't you hate it when they pull up the anchor and fire up that cigarette boat at 6 am?
I've never had a problem with sailboats, they seem to be much more respectful, and if it's a Jimmy Buffett CD, so much the better. Now, powerboaters are another story. They assume that everybody likes AC/DC. And don't you hate it when they pull up the anchor and fire up that cigarette boat at 6 am?
OK, one more story
A month ago I was on Block Island. Many power boats tie up to the dock stern first, side by side. Tourists and pedestrians were walking on the dock right behind the boats. Two adjacent boats were in a competition with their speakers blaring loudly. One was playing opera while the other was playing Irish music. They were obviously trying to attract attention to themselves because one had a huge, fancy buffet on deck while the other one was cracking a bucket full of lobsters for supper. The best I could do was ignore them, but how would you feel if you were the other 25 boats on the docks beside them for the evening?
A month ago I was on Block Island. Many power boats tie up to the dock stern first, side by side. Tourists and pedestrians were walking on the dock right behind the boats. Two adjacent boats were in a competition with their speakers blaring loudly. One was playing opera while the other was playing Irish music. They were obviously trying to attract attention to themselves because one had a huge, fancy buffet on deck while the other one was cracking a bucket full of lobsters for supper. The best I could do was ignore them, but how would you feel if you were the other 25 boats on the docks beside them for the evening?
Musical Halyards
To me, the sound of the halyards is what sailing is all about. But I guess it's personal preference. Enjoy whatever makes up your solitude.
To me, the sound of the halyards is what sailing is all about. But I guess it's personal preference. Enjoy whatever makes up your solitude.
Cockpit Speakers - Only on Sailboats
I have speakers mounted under the arch and they poing slightly forward and down into the cockpit. I have listened from the dinghy to see how far the sound carries at elevated levels and was quite surprised that the sound did not travel very far. At the dock is a different story and I rarely use them unless the neighbors are part of our party. I invested in a good pair of the small earphones and a portable cd walkman to use when at the dock or when my wife wants peace and quiet (or I want peace and noise). Power boats, particularly sport fishers, usually have Bose speakers mounted on the fly bridge pointing aft and can be heard all over a marina or anchorage. Perhaps we need a constitutional ammendment to ban outside speakers on power boats!!!!!
I have speakers mounted under the arch and they poing slightly forward and down into the cockpit. I have listened from the dinghy to see how far the sound carries at elevated levels and was quite surprised that the sound did not travel very far. At the dock is a different story and I rarely use them unless the neighbors are part of our party. I invested in a good pair of the small earphones and a portable cd walkman to use when at the dock or when my wife wants peace and quiet (or I want peace and noise). Power boats, particularly sport fishers, usually have Bose speakers mounted on the fly bridge pointing aft and can be heard all over a marina or anchorage. Perhaps we need a constitutional ammendment to ban outside speakers on power boats!!!!!
Musical halyards, and otherwise
Most of the times, halyards are nice background noise in the marina. Almost a nautical kind of windchime. But when the wind picks up a bit, some will start to resonate against the mast, producing a really loud whang, Whang, WHANG. Even this isn't bad. Unless you happen to be sleeping (or trying to do so) in the next boat. It takes just the right wind, and just the wrong halyard. But spend enough nights sleeping on boats, and you will learn what I mean.
Most of the times, halyards are nice background noise in the marina. Almost a nautical kind of windchime. But when the wind picks up a bit, some will start to resonate against the mast, producing a really loud whang, Whang, WHANG. Even this isn't bad. Unless you happen to be sleeping (or trying to do so) in the next boat. It takes just the right wind, and just the wrong halyard. But spend enough nights sleeping on boats, and you will learn what I mean.
My music is not everybodies music
Nothin like a little Southern Rock when you're close hauled in a strong wind, but back at dock or at anchor I want to be respectful of the quiet others might want - unless they are all on my boat and they tell me to turn it up. When the boats not movin though we are generally slowed down to Reggae or Buffett.
Nothin like a little Southern Rock when you're close hauled in a strong wind, but back at dock or at anchor I want to be respectful of the quiet others might want - unless they are all on my boat and they tell me to turn it up. When the boats not movin though we are generally slowed down to Reggae or Buffett.
Neighbor Noises
Cockpit speakers are only one source of possible irritation via sound pollution. Slapping halyards have been mention as another source by several with one positive response. My biggest sound pollution irritant is a genset. More times than I care to remember, the peace of a quite anchorage was disrupted by a non-sail craft which anchored in the evening twilight (usually in a squeeze between other craft) followed by retirement to the lounge with a genset powering AC, TV, and a microwave. Music requires personal taste and just the right mood. When the rig is straining and the ride is wet, some loud Buffet can ease the tension.
Cockpit speakers are only one source of possible irritation via sound pollution. Slapping halyards have been mention as another source by several with one positive response. My biggest sound pollution irritant is a genset. More times than I care to remember, the peace of a quite anchorage was disrupted by a non-sail craft which anchored in the evening twilight (usually in a squeeze between other craft) followed by retirement to the lounge with a genset powering AC, TV, and a microwave. Music requires personal taste and just the right mood. When the rig is straining and the ride is wet, some loud Buffet can ease the tension.
BOSE only
Hey y'all; Get Bose Marine Speakers and you will have crisp, clear music at very low volumes and no neighbor will be disturbed!
Hey y'all; Get Bose Marine Speakers and you will have crisp, clear music at very low volumes and no neighbor will be disturbed!
speakers with no holes?
I was thinking about putting non-waterproof speakers into the access space on each side of the cockpit. The fiberglass is so thin I thought it would sound OK without cutting holes and getting waterproof speakers. What do you think?
I was thinking about putting non-waterproof speakers into the access space on each side of the cockpit. The fiberglass is so thin I thought it would sound OK without cutting holes and getting waterproof speakers. What do you think?
Replacement Speaker Grills
Great debate, but I have a question about those speakers our cockpits are sporting. My speaker grills need replacement and I can not find replacements. I have a 92 37.5 with those rounded 4 sided plastic speaker grills. The name Seaworthy appears on the bottom of them. Any ideas???
Great debate, but I have a question about those speakers our cockpits are sporting. My speaker grills need replacement and I can not find replacements. I have a 92 37.5 with those rounded 4 sided plastic speaker grills. The name Seaworthy appears on the bottom of them. Any ideas???
Self-Indulgent Rationalization
I am amazed at the strained explanations people have given, even in this forum, to justify why playing THEIR music on THEIR boat is ok: It's ok if the neighbors are part of the party ... I was the only one around, so it was ok... sound doesn't travel very far through the water... if you point the speakers the right way it's ok... Jimmy Buffet is allowed since everyone likes him... I use earphones only if my wife wants quiet... Sorry, folks. Playing music through speakers on a boat at any time is inexcusably arrogant. It isn't as contained as it is in a house or even a car. Why not see if you can stand to respect others for just a couple of hours at a time?
I am amazed at the strained explanations people have given, even in this forum, to justify why playing THEIR music on THEIR boat is ok: It's ok if the neighbors are part of the party ... I was the only one around, so it was ok... sound doesn't travel very far through the water... if you point the speakers the right way it's ok... Jimmy Buffet is allowed since everyone likes him... I use earphones only if my wife wants quiet... Sorry, folks. Playing music through speakers on a boat at any time is inexcusably arrogant. It isn't as contained as it is in a house or even a car. Why not see if you can stand to respect others for just a couple of hours at a time?
Amusing
I am always amused at general pronouncements made on the basis of a view of the world when we can only see a very short distance. Like is there sound if no one can hear it, or is a man still wrong if there is no woman around? <grin>
I am always amused at general pronouncements made on the basis of a view of the world when we can only see a very short distance. Like is there sound if no one can hear it, or is a man still wrong if there is no woman around? <grin>
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