Boat Horn

[Irish Rover]

Every now and then I have need to use a horn - snorklers or swimmers getting close when I'm manoeuvring, a boat drifting towards me at anchor etc. I've relied on a football supporter type refillable air horn until now but invariably it's in the wrong spot or in need of pumping when I need it. I'm thinking of fitting something more permanent but don't want to spend silly money. I have a standard horizon vhf so could buy one of these but I'm not sure how practical they are as a horn in urgent situations where you don't have time for fiddling with the soft keys.
Standard Horizon S220SW 5” Loud Hailer Horn | Force 4 Chandlery
Any recommendations appreciated, thanks.

 

[LittleSister]

I've pondered the same thing, for both emergency sound signals and for fog signals.

I consider the radio connected loudhailers an unnecessary over-complication of a simple requirement. The horns sold for (mainly motor-) boats are too large, blingtastic and expensive for my purposes.

I've been considering fitting one of the extra loud compact replacement horns one can buy for cars and motorcycles (some are scary loud!) on the front of the mast of my raggie, just above the foot - a bit away from the cockpit, not as wet as the bow, and close to the existing cables path to the mast. I think I might perhaps need to concoct some sort of open-bottomed cover to protect it from spray and for cosmetic reasons. It would be operated, via a 12v relay, by push buttons in the cockpit and wheelhouse.

It's a mystery to me why, given the vast array of gadgetry available for and fitted to boats, an electric horn to address such needs is not more popular, but my ears and nerves are grateful that such things are not more common.

 

[Helidan]

This it what I will most likely be installing when I refit the electrical system.

Marinco International Shorty Horn 12V | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[Slowboat35]

Electric Bull Horn Red Air Horn Loud 12v Raging Sound For Car Truck Van | eBay

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Every now and then I have need to use a horn - snorklers or swimmers getting close when I'm manoeuvring, a boat drifting towards me at anchor etc. I've relied on a football supporter type refillable air horn until now but invariably it's in the wrong spot or in need of pumping when I need it. I'm thinking of fitting something more permanent but don't want to spend silly money. I have a standard horizon vhf so could buy one of these but I'm not sure how practical they are as a horn in urgent situations where you don't have time for fiddling with the soft keys.
Standard Horizon S220SW 5” Loud Hailer Horn | Force 4 Chandlery
Any recommendations appreciated, thanks.

Note the massive variation in prices between the brands, Raymarine's price being OTT for such a simple device.

 

[GrandadPig]

I only used it once, but found the SH automated foghorn signals very useful in the Thames Estuary in fog so thick I could only just make out the foredeck. Got all the way to home berth in Maldon socket on the chart plotter. The fog was certainly not forecast!

 

[Mister E]

What about Vooduzeller o however it is spelt.

 

[billyfish]

I use a referee's whistle. Small enough to clip right by you and the advantage is that sailing schools have been using them for years give it a blast and see how many look round. Very satisfying. ?️

 

[PetiteFleur]

25 yrs ago I made a hand held horn from an old car horn, fitted with a push button and plugged into a 12v socket. Moved from my first boat to my current boat. It's very loud but only used on a few occasions. Cost only a few pence.

 

[penfold]

Get a cheapo car air horn set, mount them somewhere inconspicuous and then run the hose to a convenient and dry place for the compressor to live.

 

[harvey38]

The Denali Soundbomb is a very well respected upgrade for motorcycles, very weatherproof and unbelievably loud. If I didn't already have twin airport set up, I'd have a Soundbomb on the boat as well as my K1600GT?

 

[The Q]

12V 60W Car Siren Horn Mic PA Speaker System Emergency Sound Amplifier-5 Tones Sound with Hooter, Fire Alarm, Ambulance, Traffic, Police+siren speaker with custom sound+car loud hailer : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

 

[ylop]

Every now and then I have need to use a horn - snorklers or swimmers getting close when I'm manoeuvring, a boat drifting towards me at anchor etc. I've relied on a football supporter type refillable air horn until now but invariably it's in the wrong spot or in need of pumping when I need it. I'm thinking of fitting something more permanent but don't want to spend silly money. I have a standard horizon vhf so could buy one of these but I'm not sure how practical they are as a horn in urgent situations where you don't have time for fiddling with the soft keys.
Standard Horizon S220SW 5” Loud Hailer Horn | Force 4 Chandlery
Any recommendations appreciated, thanks.

What do the swimmers and snorkelers do when you blast your horn? Are they out of shouting distance where words may help? If they are close enough to be a risk surely a mouth operated fog horn is loud enough? They are also simple and robust enough to keep in the cockpit without worrying they will fail just when you want it?

 

[Boathook]

I find a whistle a good way of attracting peoples attention. Especially those on paddle boards (and some kayaker's) who seem to wander all over the harbour channel.

 

[dansaskip]

A plastic fog horn should fit the bill, cheap as chips, waterproof won't go wrong and keep in the cockpit so always to hand.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

I use a referee's whistle. Small enough to clip right by you and the advantage is that sailing schools have been using them for years give it a blast and see how many look round. Very satisfying. ?

I have the same, it's called The ACME Thunderer. Very effective.

 

[Irish Rover]

I have the same, it's called The ACME Thunderer. Very effective.

I guess you guys have never watched Turkish football. Nobody pays any attention to the referees whistle ?.

 

[Irish Rover]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'm tempted by the Marinco Shorty at #3. Bit pricey but looks sturdy and hopefully won't rust.

 

[The Q]

I have the same, it's called The ACME Thunderer. Very effective.

If you want to go deaf... I prefer something mounted a few feet away.., like on the front of the forecabin

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I’ve had the SH and Simrad VHFs with the horn function. Yes, a bit of messing around with menus but the automated foghorns are great and very loud, also act as a microphone so you can ‘listen’, and you get the option to use as a loud hailer so you can SHOUT at people and generally abuse them ? I’ve had these on my last three boats. Standard Horizon S240SW 5 x 8 Rectangular Loud Hailer Horn | Force 4 Chandlery