Depending on the size of your boat and the state it is operated in, you may be required to have a sound making device -- bell, whistle, or horn -- aboard. These devices are handy for signaling your intentions to other boats, getting the attention of bridge tenders and the boat that just waked you, letting others know your location while in fog, or to get help. Do you routinely keep such a device on your boat? If so, what type do you have or do you have multiple sound makers aboard? What is the primary way you use them? Have you ever used horn signals for passing to port or starboard? When your engine is in reverse? When you leave the dock? Or only to signal "Danger!" Do you routinely use one while sailing or only when danger -- or your temper -- rises? Tell us about the sounds you make then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz provided by Warren Milberg)
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Used to signal bridge openings.
Falcon Commander 4 horn works well for us. It has a chrome plated metal horn and a lever trigger. I think it is louder and has a better sound quality than plastic horns. I bent the small mounting ring trying to fit an improper canister to it. Called the manufacturer and they sent a new ring no charge.
Falcon Commander 4 horn works well for us. It has a chrome plated metal horn and a lever trigger. I think it is louder and has a better sound quality than plastic horns. I bent the small mounting ring trying to fit an improper canister to it. Called the manufacturer and they sent a new ring no charge.
Use Loud Hailer Rigged to Horn
Currently I use a Standard Communications LH-5 Loud Hailer connected to a high-efficiency horn. When in use I clamp the horn on the pulpit seat so it's as far away from me as possible. Work-in-progress is to acquire a compressed air horn and pump to put out more db. My current system might not meet code but what I've been looking at definitely does. With regard to the Loud Hailer it would be nice to be able to select a frequency that is more often than the default 2-minutes as in that length of time one can cover quite a bit of ground. There are other options for automatic signaling such as "aground" or "at anchor". The other really useful feature is the "listen back" one. This makes use of the horn to amplify sounds out ahead so you can listen to what's out there. This is VERY useful. Haven't used the setup for hailing the boat that just waked me and never used signals for passing (normally the channel is so wide it isn't necessary and/or it is obvious) or leaving the slip. Have used the bell a few times when at anchor and other boats are coming in and it was pea-soup fog. The hand-held air horn is also close at hand for those potential emergencies.
Currently I use a Standard Communications LH-5 Loud Hailer connected to a high-efficiency horn. When in use I clamp the horn on the pulpit seat so it's as far away from me as possible. Work-in-progress is to acquire a compressed air horn and pump to put out more db. My current system might not meet code but what I've been looking at definitely does. With regard to the Loud Hailer it would be nice to be able to select a frequency that is more often than the default 2-minutes as in that length of time one can cover quite a bit of ground. There are other options for automatic signaling such as "aground" or "at anchor". The other really useful feature is the "listen back" one. This makes use of the horn to amplify sounds out ahead so you can listen to what's out there. This is VERY useful. Haven't used the setup for hailing the boat that just waked me and never used signals for passing (normally the channel is so wide it isn't necessary and/or it is obvious) or leaving the slip. Have used the bell a few times when at anchor and other boats are coming in and it was pea-soup fog. The hand-held air horn is also close at hand for those potential emergencies.
horns
I have a bell which in the course of many years of sailing has never been removed from the shrinkwrap. I have an portable horn that I always keep neat the wheel in one of tghose drink holders and I use it, primarily to warn away fishermen or swimmers who are in the channel when I am headed that way.
I have a bell which in the course of many years of sailing has never been removed from the shrinkwrap. I have an portable horn that I always keep neat the wheel in one of tghose drink holders and I use it, primarily to warn away fishermen or swimmers who are in the channel when I am headed that way.
my wife
My wife will scream at me in the event of danger. Other that that I use the radio to open the bridges and keep a compress air horn handy.
My wife will scream at me in the event of danger. Other that that I use the radio to open the bridges and keep a compress air horn handy.
Horns...
Friend of mine with a wonderful CD 28 got hit and dismasted last year, in broad daylight, with no other traffic around, by a 48-ft trawler. The trawler captain stated "he just didn't see that little sailboat due to the bright sunlight behind the boat." Right. My friend with the CD 28, however, saw the trawler bearing down on him while under sail (just as the wind died)and couldn't imagine that the other boat didn't see him -- and turn to avoid him. Wrong. He realized a bit too late that he had left his compressed air horn in the cabin and it was too late to try to get it. He was sure afterward that if he had it and blew it that the other captain would have heard it and probably would have taken evasive action. Keep that horn at hand whenever you sail....
Friend of mine with a wonderful CD 28 got hit and dismasted last year, in broad daylight, with no other traffic around, by a 48-ft trawler. The trawler captain stated "he just didn't see that little sailboat due to the bright sunlight behind the boat." Right. My friend with the CD 28, however, saw the trawler bearing down on him while under sail (just as the wind died)and couldn't imagine that the other boat didn't see him -- and turn to avoid him. Wrong. He realized a bit too late that he had left his compressed air horn in the cabin and it was too late to try to get it. He was sure afterward that if he had it and blew it that the other captain would have heard it and probably would have taken evasive action. Keep that horn at hand whenever you sail....
Horn and Whistle
One crew member always sounds the portable compressed air horn when leaving the dock. The only other time it was used, was once when returning to the slip. A slip neighbor was departing and pulled out in front of us! We also have a whistle as a back up, both in the cockpit.
One crew member always sounds the portable compressed air horn when leaving the dock. The only other time it was used, was once when returning to the slip. A slip neighbor was departing and pulled out in front of us! We also have a whistle as a back up, both in the cockpit.
I use my Sound Devices...
Ive had to use my compressed gas horn on several occasions. Boating here in Kemah, Tex. becomes crowded, a good loud air horn is necessary ! Its also fun to give a little "toot" to kids waving on passing boats. When one sees a friend, thats also good for a loud "toot". I also carry a whistle...loudest whistle device I've ever heard. It's so loud that I've put a "warning" tag on it. Its only used in fun things on the boat or at the pier..."so far"
Ive had to use my compressed gas horn on several occasions. Boating here in Kemah, Tex. becomes crowded, a good loud air horn is necessary ! Its also fun to give a little "toot" to kids waving on passing boats. When one sees a friend, thats also good for a loud "toot". I also carry a whistle...loudest whistle device I've ever heard. It's so loud that I've put a "warning" tag on it. Its only used in fun things on the boat or at the pier..."so far"
Noise-makers
We have the orange mouth-operated trumpet which we have used often in pea soup fog AND the aerosol operated horns with a spare canister which hurts the eardrum. Then there was the day my stepson fired it off in the cabin. Also have a ship's bell which is currently unmounted, but I think we will rectify that soon. The most unusual noisemaker I ever heard was just off the Old Saybrook breakwaters, when a sailboat passing by answered my horn with a duck call. Not sure it met regs. Bill Coxe, O28 (avail)/O40, New London, CT
We have the orange mouth-operated trumpet which we have used often in pea soup fog AND the aerosol operated horns with a spare canister which hurts the eardrum. Then there was the day my stepson fired it off in the cabin. Also have a ship's bell which is currently unmounted, but I think we will rectify that soon. The most unusual noisemaker I ever heard was just off the Old Saybrook breakwaters, when a sailboat passing by answered my horn with a duck call. Not sure it met regs. Bill Coxe, O28 (avail)/O40, New London, CT
conch shell
I carry a compressed air horn for business. For just tooting at friends etc I carry a large conch shell rigged as a horn. If I blow hard enough and long enough it makes me feel like the 70's again.
I carry a compressed air horn for business. For just tooting at friends etc I carry a large conch shell rigged as a horn. If I blow hard enough and long enough it makes me feel like the 70's again.
Duck Call
That's cool. I got one of those in the truck of my car. Maybe I should go around blowing it just to freak people out
I used to have a can horn but last night I bought a eco horn (plastic pump up air horn). I like that it has a level knob on it and I tested it once. I velcrowed it to the pedistal. Here in Kemah you got to always be ready. I've had to blow my horn a few times at people last year.
That's cool. I got one of those in the truck of my car. Maybe I should go around blowing it just to freak people out
I used to have a can horn but last night I bought a eco horn (plastic pump up air horn). I like that it has a level knob on it and I tested it once. I velcrowed it to the pedistal. Here in Kemah you got to always be ready. I've had to blow my horn a few times at people last year.
Mooned...
A few years ago, I was out sailing with a friend on his boat. As fate would have it, a powerboat came blasting by a few feet from the bow and waked us. My friend was enraged, and took out his horn and blew it numerous times at the offending powerboat. Hearing the horn, the captain of the powerboat had his beautiful bikini-clad mate drop her bathing suit and "mooned" us in return. Nice moon. We now routinely blow our horn whenever we see a powerboat with a nice looking crew.... *butt
A few years ago, I was out sailing with a friend on his boat. As fate would have it, a powerboat came blasting by a few feet from the bow and waked us. My friend was enraged, and took out his horn and blew it numerous times at the offending powerboat. Hearing the horn, the captain of the powerboat had his beautiful bikini-clad mate drop her bathing suit and "mooned" us in return. Nice moon. We now routinely blow our horn whenever we see a powerboat with a nice looking crew.... *butt
Can't beat the "Moon"
Can't beat that so I'll just reply that I use a manual trumpet and compressed air horn. Most use is in crowed marinas for novicies who rent houseboats, to let them know where I am and my intentions. I also sail in waters that have a lot of fog in late spring-early summer.
Can't beat that so I'll just reply that I use a manual trumpet and compressed air horn. Most use is in crowed marinas for novicies who rent houseboats, to let them know where I am and my intentions. I also sail in waters that have a lot of fog in late spring-early summer.
Two Horns & a whistle
I've been lucky that I've not needed to use a horn in anger or due to an impending emergency. I do use it to signal our local drawbridge but only a few times each season. In addition to my portable air horn, I have a mouth horn and a whistle. I also use whistles on each life jacket too. Bill on STARGAZER
I've been lucky that I've not needed to use a horn in anger or due to an impending emergency. I do use it to signal our local drawbridge but only a few times each season. In addition to my portable air horn, I have a mouth horn and a whistle. I also use whistles on each life jacket too. Bill on STARGAZER
Whistles DON'T work!
put, put, put, splutter, bleh. bleh?!? I was sailing a J22 w/ outboard with my then 10 year old son - he is at the helm - I am getting the sails down. The motor dies. Won't restart. The boat was a season charter - belongs to a local sailing school. Most of the smaller boats that I have sailed in my life have had no motor - so we are prepared to sail in. But, as there was a class boat from the school nearby with an instructor aboard, I thought I'd give them a whistle so they would know what was up and perhaps help us at the dock. Especially as my sail in plan is a convenient dock, not the boat's real home & the school would need to know where and why I had left it. The whistle was useless - nobody heard it. Happily, a PB'er happened by and notified the saling school instructor for us & we got a little help with the lines at the dock. But - if we'd had a real emergency - the whistle, while a legal sound signal, would have been useless. Carry a horn!
put, put, put, splutter, bleh. bleh?!? I was sailing a J22 w/ outboard with my then 10 year old son - he is at the helm - I am getting the sails down. The motor dies. Won't restart. The boat was a season charter - belongs to a local sailing school. Most of the smaller boats that I have sailed in my life have had no motor - so we are prepared to sail in. But, as there was a class boat from the school nearby with an instructor aboard, I thought I'd give them a whistle so they would know what was up and perhaps help us at the dock. Especially as my sail in plan is a convenient dock, not the boat's real home & the school would need to know where and why I had left it. The whistle was useless - nobody heard it. Happily, a PB'er happened by and notified the saling school instructor for us & we got a little help with the lines at the dock. But - if we'd had a real emergency - the whistle, while a legal sound signal, would have been useless. Carry a horn!
I have used my mouth blown horn
to hail a powerboater leaving our marina. He was perhaps 300 yards outwhen my neighbor yelled to him without effect. three load blasts with the horn and he throttled back and looked around.
to hail a powerboater leaving our marina. He was perhaps 300 yards outwhen my neighbor yelled to him without effect. three load blasts with the horn and he throttled back and looked around.
Convenience
Most of you mention the importance of convenience. For this reason, I fitted a 12v horn with a push button on the pedestal of my 26M. I spent ages trying to find a suitable and easy location to place the horn and eventually put in on the mast support behind the helmsman. This gets it up out of the way and where nothing will get caught or tangled on it. I would have preferred further forward, but wiring it would have been trickier and wherever I mounted it, and sheets or sails would have caught on it somewhere. I have a mouth trumpet kept in the same watertight box as my flares for backup/emergencies.
Most of you mention the importance of convenience. For this reason, I fitted a 12v horn with a push button on the pedestal of my 26M. I spent ages trying to find a suitable and easy location to place the horn and eventually put in on the mast support behind the helmsman. This gets it up out of the way and where nothing will get caught or tangled on it. I would have preferred further forward, but wiring it would have been trickier and wherever I mounted it, and sheets or sails would have caught on it somewhere. I have a mouth trumpet kept in the same watertight box as my flares for backup/emergencies.
Noise Making Devices
I carry several noise making devices... 1) compressed air horn; typically used for signaling jet skiers that haven't a clue while on the ICW, 2) a mouth blown horn in the event that the compressed air horn is not functional, 3) a conch shell used for fun when hailing friends and at various events, 4) whistles attached to each life vest, and 5) my fingers for "wolf whistling" as a last resort.
I carry several noise making devices... 1) compressed air horn; typically used for signaling jet skiers that haven't a clue while on the ICW, 2) a mouth blown horn in the event that the compressed air horn is not functional, 3) a conch shell used for fun when hailing friends and at various events, 4) whistles attached to each life vest, and 5) my fingers for "wolf whistling" as a last resort.
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